If you were born in September, your birthstone is blue sapphire—the rich blue variety of the mineral corundum. Used to symbolize faithfulness and purity of soul, this beautiful gemstone has often been the choice of royalty and makes a stunning gift for yourself or someone special in your life. Learn more about this precious gemstone, its history, and ideas for designing breathtaking sapphire birthstone jewelry.
The Blue Sapphire Gemstone in Geology
Named after the Latin sapphirus or “blue stone,” blue sapphire is an oxide mineral that forms in coarse grained igneous (volcanic) rocks. The deep blue coloring of this precious stone comes from its titanium and iron content and its crystal system is trigonal—meaning that it has a three-fold internal symmetry with angles set at 120°.
Rating 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, the blue sapphire birthstone is second only to diamond in its hardness and durability among naturally occuring minerals. This hardness rating means that your blue sapphire is unlikely to get scratched and can happily be worn all day, every day!
Common Treatments
To improve the color saturation and clarity of the stone, many blue sapphires are subjected to heat treatments, with some undergoing fracture filling as well. To care for your treated sapphire, clean it with mild soapy water and ask your jeweler about taking your ring for routine maintenance.
Blue Sapphire Symbolism and Meaning
Since at least the times of ancient Greece and Rome, blue sapphire has been worn by the elite as a form of protection against envy and personal harm. In the times of ancient Israel, the blue sapphire birthstone was featured on the breastpiece of Aaron the High Priest as representing one of the 12 tribes. In Hindu Vedic astrology, the blue sapphire is linked to the Taurus sign on the zodiac and thought to bring faith, hope, and truth to the life of the wearer.
Since the early Common Era, blue sapphires have been used to decorate the robes of the clergy as a symbol for Heaven and sincerity. The gemstone has also been a favorite of royals—the most recent example being the engagement ring of Princess Diana, which was given to the Duchess of Cambridge by her son Prince William.
Healing Powers of Sapphire Birthstone Jewelry
While our blue sapphire birthstone rings have not been approved by the FDA as yet, it might be interesting to know that these precious stones were used medicinally in Medieval Europe. During the period between 500 and 1500 CE, blue sapphire gemstones were used in the curation of plague-related boils and diseases of the eye. They were also believed to provide an effective antidote for poison.
Where is Blue Sapphire Found?
Today, blue sapphire birthstones are mined in several countries and continents, including:
- India
- Myanmar (formerly Burma)
- Sri Lanka
- Thailand
- Cambodia
- Madagascar
- Australia
- United States
- Other parts of Asia and Africa
The most important producers of blue sapphire are Kashmir in India, the Mogok area in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and the Chanthaburi Province in Thailand.
Kashmir
In 1881, a landslide in the Himalayas led to the discovery of a large pocket of blue crystals that turned out to be blue sapphire. This deposit extended southward as well, providing the motivation for the Maharaja of Kashmir and his army to take control of the area. Between 1882 and 1887, thousands of large crystals were extracted, with smaller amounts being mined since then. Today, beautiful pieces of Kashmir sapphire birthstone jewelry can sometimes be found in auction houses.
Mogok
Located in the jungle-covered hills of Myanmar, Mogok is another famous producer of blue sapphire birthstone gems. In this historical center of gemstone production, intense and richly-colored blue sapphires are found alongside rubies—both of which are prized for their unique color saturation. Due to human rights abuses and gem-funded conflicts in Myanmar, we do not use Mogok sapphires or rubies in our gemstone rings or cufflinks.
Sri Lanka
A large island located south-east of India, Sri Lanka has provided blue sapphire birthstone gems for more than 2,000 years. Known as the “jewel box of the Indian Ocean,” Sri Lanka is home to alluvial deposits of blue corundum with a particular brilliance and color saturation. “Geuda” sapphires from Sri Lanka are naturally a milky white in color but are typically heat-treated to achieve a beautiful rich blue.
Thailand
The final source of blue sapphire on the list and an important one for AZEERA is Thailand. In the jungles of the Chanthaburi Province, miners dig for blue sapphire birthstone gems, which are then sent to the provincial center for cutting and treating. Myanmar and Cambodia sapphires are often sent to Chanthaburi for cutting and treating and Bangkok has become a hub for gemstone trading in the Southeast Asian region generally. Some of the precious gemstones used in our handcrafted rings are sourced from Thailand before coming to our workshop in New York for matching and setting.
Sapphire Birthstone Jewelry Design Ideas
Whether your birthstone is blue sapphire or you simply love this prized gem, a piece of sapphire birthstone jewelry will make a wonderful addition to your collection. Blue sapphire is also the traditional gem to commemorate a 5th or 45th wedding anniversary, so lovebirds don’t have to wait too long to enjoy the sparkle of sapphire. Here are our suggestions for a blue sapphire ring that your family can treasure for generations:
Blue Sapphire Engagement Ring
An oval-cut sapphire in a halo of diamond pavé is a decadent choice for an engagement ring if your beloved was born in September or loves the sapphire gemstone.
Blue Sapphire Eternity Ring
Celebrate your wedding anniversary in style with an eye-catching sapphire and diamond eternity ring with milgrain detailing. A 14k white gold band is a classic choice or go for 14k yellow gold for a royal aesthetic.
Blue Sapphire Everyday Ring
Celebrate life and beauty with an exquisite sapphire everyday ring. This interlocking heart design with white gold is ideal as a blue sapphire birthstone ring or as a gift for a special lady in your life.
Elevate Your Soul with a Blue Sapphire AZEERA Ring
If you would like a piece of sapphire birthstone jewelry with a specific design or metal type, consider ordering a handcrafted ring from AZEERA. All of our blue sapphire birthstone ring designs can be customized with the gemstone, style, shape, and metal of your choice, and we also offer the service of creating custom design rings and cufflinks if you have something specific in mind.
Chat with our founders live from 10am to 8pm daily or request a callback to begin!
