BIRTHSTONES

SEPTEMBER

Sapphire

Sapphire, a variety of corundum, comes in all colors except red ( the red variety being known as ruby ), but is especially popular in deep blue. Fancy colored sapphires – including pink, green, orange and golden yellow – are magnificent when combined in a necklace or bracelet.

Prince Charles chose a blue sapphire for Princess Diana’s engagement ring. The stone’s durability, combined with its beauty, makes it the perfect alternative for an engagement ring.

Sapphire is the September birthstone as well as the accepted anniversary gem for the 5^th and 45^th years of marriage.

Ancient priests and sorcerers honored sapphire above all gems, for this stone enabled them to interpret oracles and foretell the future. Ancients believed the Ten Commandments were written on a sapphire tablet. Marriage partners put great faith in the stone. If its luster dimmed, one knew his or her spouse had been unfaithful. Sapphire refused to shine when worn by the wicked or impure.

As part of the customary fashioning process virtually all blue, yellow and golden sapphires are heated to permanently produce or intensify their color.

As with all gemstones, care should be taken to protect it from scratches and sharp blows.

Sapphire is found mainly in Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, Australia and East Africa.

Copyright by Jewelers of America, Inc.