The Pomegranate Jewellery Guide To Sapphires, The September Birthstone

September 2023

Sapphires are one of the most highly sought gemstones and are the birthstone for September. Known usually for their dazzling vibrant blue colours, these are gemstones that actually can be found in a wide array of different colours. Read on to find out more about this stunning gemstone and see some of our favourite sapphire jewellery picks.

Sapphires have a rich history dating back to ancient civilisations and have been prized for their beauty and even been believed to possess various mystical properties.

In some cultures, sapphires are associated with protection, good fortune, and spiritual enlightenment and it's a gemstone often favoured by royalty and clergy as a symbol of power and wisdom.

Indeed Queen Elizabeth II wore various sapphire jewellery pieces throughout her reign. Her engagement ring was one of her most famous sapphire pieces, featuring a 3-carat square-cut sapphire surrounded by diamonds.

On several occasions Queen Elizabeth also wore a sapphire and diamond tiara known as the George VI Victorian Suite Sapphire Tiara, which originally belonged to the Queen Mother.

Interesting Facts About Sapphires

The word sapphire used alone typically refers to blue sapphires but sapphires also come in a wide range of colours and these gems are termed ‘fancy sapphires’
Sapphire is one of the ‘Big Three’ gemstones - these are ruby, sapphire & emerald.
Sapphires durability [9 on the MOHs hardness scale] makes is a desirable choice for jewellery. Its resistance to scratching makes it ideal for setting in jewellery that is worn every day.
Sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum - ruby is also from the mineral family corundum and only corundum stones with a specifically dominant red hue can only be called a ruby - there is much debate at to whether a stone may be termed a ruby or a pink sapphire and this is often down to personal perception.
The 3 historically important sources of sapphire are Kashmir, Myanmar and Sr Lanka. Current sources responsible for the bulk of commercial quality sapphire include Australia, Thailand, Cambodia & Madagascar.
In the 1990s discoveries of fancy coloured sapphires in East Africa & Madagascar brought their widespread recognition.
Padparadscha Sapphires with their delicate pinkish orange hue have the highest per carat value of all fancy sapphires.
Pink Sapphires get their colour from the trace element chromium and can command top prices too.

Sapphire Care Guide

Taking care of sapphires is important to maintain their beauty and lustre, so our simple tips will help you to keep your sapphire jewellery looking beautiful.

Use a mild soap and warm water solution to clean your sapphire jewellery. You can use a soft brush, like a toothbrush, to gently scrub away dirt and grime.
Overexposure to direct sunlight can fade the colour of some sapphires, especially if they have been treated to enhance their colour. When not wearing your sapphire jewellery it's best to store it in a dark place. A jewellery box is ideal.
While sapphires are durable, they can still chip or crack if subjected to a strong impact. Be mindful of this when wearing sapphire rings or bracelets, especially during physical activities.
Chemicals found in common household cleaning agents including bleach and some other harsh chemicals can damage sapphires and their settings.