September Birthstone: 10 Fun Facts (Sapphire)
Here are 10 fun facts about Sapphires that will hopefully make you love this spectacular gem as much as we do!
1. Exquisite Colour Variety: Sapphires, September's birthstone, dazzle in a stunning array of colours, ranging from delicate pastels to deep velvety shades. While blue is the most iconic, sapphires can also surprise with pink, yellow, and even the rare padparadscha sapphire, blending pink and orange hues.
2. Hardness on the Mohs Scale: Sapphires showcase their durability with a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, second only to diamonds. This resilience makes them ideal for enduring jewellery pieces. We recommend sapphires (along with diamonds and rubies) for engagement rings (or items of jewellery to be worn daily) as they are the gemstones most suited to withstand everyday wear and tear.
3. Celebrating September: Sapphires hold the honour of being September's birthstone, making them a meaningful and treasured choice for those born in this month.
4. Distinctive Star Phenomenon: Some sapphires display asterism—a star-like pattern—when exposed to a point-source light, created by intersecting needle-like inclusions. (See an example of Erin Cox’s Design featuring a ‘star sapphire’ below).
5. Refraction and Brilliance: Sapphires exhibit a high refractive index, contributing to their exceptional brilliance and sparkling play of light.
Below: Erin’s current collection of sapphires (ranging from 2mm - 9.4mm). Does one catch your eye? Why not contact us to have it set into a unique Erin Cox Design or stunning, alternative engagement ring?
6. Scientific Origins: Sapphires stem from the mineral corundum, the same mineral family as rubies. Their vibrant blue colour emerges from specific mineral interactions.
7. Wedding Anniversary Tradition: Sapphires are not just for September birthdays; they're also gifted on 5th and 45th wedding anniversaries, symbolising enduring love and commitment.
8. Celebrity Connection: Kate Middleton's sapphire engagement ring, formerly worn by Princess Diana, brought sapphires into the modern spotlight, making them a symbol of timeless elegance.
Below: A sampling of Erin’s current collection of >3mm round sapphires. These could be crafted into a stunning, alternative eternity ring or unique Erin Cox Design; contact us to find out more about the bespoke process and how to transform one (or more!) of these beauties into a unique treasure to cherish.
9. Global Origins: Sapphires hail from a range of countries, including Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Australia, and Montana, USA, each contributing unique characteristics to the gem.
10. The "Millennium Sapphire": The largest Sapphire in the world is owned by a private collector named Maurice Tempelsman. Maurice Tempelsman is a Belgian-American businessman and diamond merchant. It's a colossal blue sapphire that weighs a staggering 61,500 carats (about 27 pounds or 13 kg). This extraordinary gem is renowned for its exceptional size and vivid blue colour. It was carved into an intricate sculpture that features scenes from various civilizations and historical periods. The Millennium Sapphire is truly a remarkable example of the grandeur and allure that sapphires can possess.
Erin loves to work with Sapphires. We currently have some stunning sapphire jewellery available to purchase. These are all one-of-a-kind pieces so once they go, they go!
