September has a gemstone worthy of the changing season. Sapphire is the September birthstone, best known for its rich, velvety blues, but there’s much more to this precious gemstone than its colour.

From ancient legends and royal jewels to its association with wisdom, loyalty and protection, sapphire has been treasured for centuries. And while blue may be its most famous shade, sapphires can actually be found in a remarkable rainbow of colours.

At Dower & Hall, we’ve always loved gemstones with personality and a story behind them. So, we asked our founder and design director, Dan Dower, to share some of his knowledge and favourite things about this fascinating stone.

Watch Dan Dower talk about sapphire

 

Hear from Dower & Hall founder and design director Dan Dower as he talks about sapphire, its fascinating history and the many colours this precious gemstone can take.

What is Sapphire?

Sapphire is a precious gemstone belonging to the corundum family of minerals. It’s best known for its beautiful blue colour, but sapphire actually comes in a whole spectrum of shades.

Blue sapphire gets its colour from trace elements, including iron and titanium, while other sapphires can be pink, yellow, green, purple, white and even orange.

There is one famous exception: red corundum is known as ruby, rather than sapphire.

This incredible variety is one of the reasons we love sapphire jewellery. Blue might be the classic choice, but coloured sapphires offer something a little more unexpected.

What Does Sapphire Symbolise?

Sapphire has long been associated with wisdom, loyalty, protection, truth and sincerity.

It has traditionally been considered a stone of calm and clarity, with ancient cultures believing that sapphire could protect its wearer from harm and negative energy. Its connection with loyalty and commitment has also made blue sapphire a popular choice for engagement rings and meaningful jewellery.

For a September birthday, sapphire makes a particularly special birthstone gift. It carries all the symbolism of a traditional birthstone while remaining wonderfully timeless.

The Fascinating History of Sapphire

Sapphires have been admired for thousands of years, and their history is filled with stories, legends and a fair share of royal connections.

The name sapphire comes from the Greek word sappheiros, meaning blue stone, although the exact origins of the word are debated.

Ancient Persians believed that the Earth rested on a giant sapphire, whose reflection gave the sky its blue colour. In medieval Europe, sapphire was associated with heaven and was believed to bring spiritual protection and wisdom.

The gemstone has also long been favoured by royalty. Perhaps one of the most recognisable examples is the famous blue sapphire engagement ring worn by Princess Diana and later Catherine, Princess of Wales.

But sapphire isn't simply a stone for grand occasions. Its durability and range of colours make it just as beautiful when worn as an everyday piece.

Why is Sapphire Blue?

When most of us picture sapphire, we picture blue.

Blue sapphire gets its colour from tiny amounts of iron and titanium within the corundum crystal structure. The result can range from delicate, almost cornflower blues through to deep, saturated navy tones.

And there isn't just one shade of blue sapphire.

Some stones have a softer, lighter appearance, while others are wonderfully rich and dramatic. Natural sapphires can also have subtle variations in tone and colour, which give each stone its own character.

That individuality is part of the appeal of natural gemstone jewellery. No two stones are ever quite the same.

Sapphires Come in a Rainbow of Colours

Blue might be the classic, but did you know that sapphire comes in almost every colour of the rainbow?

Pink sapphires can range from soft blush shades to vibrant pinks.

Yellow sapphires have a warm, sunny quality that makes them particularly striking in gold jewellery.

Green sapphires offer a more earthy and understated take on the gemstone.

White sapphires are colourless or near-colourless and have a beautiful, understated sparkle.

Purple sapphires can range from delicate lavender to deeper violet shades.

And then there are the wonderfully unusual Padparadscha sapphires, known for their rare pink-orange to orangey-pink hues.

So, if blue isn't quite your colour, don't write sapphire off. There could be a shade that's much more you.

Where Does Sapphire Come From?

Sapphires are found in many parts of the world, with important sources including Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Myanmar, Thailand, Australia and parts of Africa.

Sri Lanka is particularly famous for its sapphires and has been an important source of the gemstone for centuries. The island is known for producing beautiful blue sapphires as well as a remarkable range of fancy-coloured stones.

Each location can produce sapphires with subtly different characteristics, from their colour and clarity to the way they respond to light.

Sapphire Jewellery: How to Wear It

One of the best things about sapphire is how easy it is to wear.

A classic blue sapphire works beautifully with sterling silver, white gold and yellow gold, while coloured sapphires can be used to bring a completely different mood to a piece of jewellery.

For an understated look, try a delicate sapphire necklace or a pair of small sapphire earrings. Or, if you love colour, layer different gemstone pieces together for something more personal.

Sapphire also pairs beautifully with pearls and diamonds, making it easy to mix into an existing jewellery collection.

And don't feel you have to save sapphire for special occasions. We think the best jewellery is the jewellery you actually wear.

Sapphire as a September Birthstone

If you were born in September, sapphire is your traditional birthstone – and it's a pretty special one to have.

A September birthstone necklace, sapphire earrings or a sapphire ring can make a meaningful birthday gift, particularly when chosen in a colour that feels personal to the wearer.

And because sapphire is such a durable gemstone, it's particularly well suited to jewellery that's designed to be worn and enjoyed regularly.

Whether you choose classic blue or one of sapphire's less expected shades, it's a gemstone with plenty of personality.

Our Favourite Sapphire Facts

We asked our jewellery makers for some of their favourite facts about sapphire. Here are a few that caught our attention:

Sapphire comes in a rainbow of colours.
Blue is the most famous, but sapphires can also be pink, yellow, green, purple, white and orange.

Ruby and sapphire are part of the same family.
Both are varieties of the mineral corundum. The red variety is called ruby, while all other colours are known as sapphire.

It's an incredibly durable gemstone.
Sapphire scores 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness, second only to diamond, making it a fantastic choice for jewellery that's made to last.

Sapphires can be found in space.
Scientists have discovered corundum crystals in meteorites, adding another fascinating chapter to the story of this ancient gemstone.

Blue isn't the only classic choice.
Fancy-coloured sapphires are increasingly loved for their individuality, from soft pinks and greens to vibrant yellows and rare Padparadscha shades.

Why We Love Sapphire

There's a reason sapphire has remained so popular for centuries.

It has the history, the symbolism and the extraordinary natural beauty – but it also feels incredibly wearable. A deep blue sapphire can look timeless and classic, while a pink, green or yellow sapphire can feel much more unexpected.

And for us, that's what makes coloured gemstone jewellery so enjoyable. You can choose a stone because of its meaning, its colour, your birth month – or simply because you love the way it looks.

If you're looking for a September birthstone gift, a timeless piece of sapphire jewellery or a little more colour for your everyday collection, sapphire is a gemstone worth discovering.

Discover Sapphire Jewellery at Dower & Hall

Explore our collection of handcrafted sapphire jewellery, from classic blue sapphires to beautiful coloured stones.

Designed in our London studio and made using recycled precious metals and carefully selected gemstones, each piece is created to be worn, layered and loved for years to come.

SHOP SAPPHIRE JEWELLERY