September Birthstone: Sapphire
Blue sapphire, silver
The stunning sapphire is the birthstone for any lucky person born in September. Sapphire is a corundum - an aluminium oxide with a trigonal crystal structure. It is in the same family as the ruby but it is most widely known from its deep blue colouring. The name sapphire comes from the Latin word sapphirus meaning ‘blue stone,’ and the Greek word sappheiros. One of the benefits of sapphires is their hardness, registering a 9 on the Mohs hardness scale (diamond is a 10). The September birthstone although famous for being blue, comes in many colours: colourless, white, grey, blue, blue-green, green, violet, purple, orange, yellow, yellow-green, brown, golden amber, peachy pink and pink, as well as black!
Sapphire gems are mainly found in Myanmar, India, Thailand and Sri Lanka, but can also be found in China, Australia, Brazil, Africa and North America. Their origin can affect their value as much as colour, cut, clarity and carat size. A favourite stone of priests and kings, this has traditionally symbolised sincerity, truth, wisdom, faithfulness, purity and nobility. For countless centuries, sapphire has adorned royalty and the robes of the clergy. The elite of ancient Greece and Rome believed that blue sapphires protected their owners from harm and envy. Sapphire was also thought to be an antidote to poison.
Sapphires are thought to ease pain and reduce stress. Historically sapphires were also used to treat fevers and rheumatism. When treating boils and external ulcers, they were ground and mixed with milk. The paste was then applied to the afflicted area. The sapphire has for a long time been identified with chastity, piety and repentance. It brings an increase in perception and the understanding of justice. It helps find peace of mind and serenity, helping preserve one’s innocence while learning life’s truths. Sapphires also are associated with romantic love, representing fidelity and devotion.
In mythology, sapphire was always considered to be the stone of Saturn. It represents heaven, the sphere of the angels, a guardian of innocence, magic and friendship. It is believed to brings gifts of fulfilment, joy, prosperity, inner peace and beauty. Some wore it as protection while traveling.
Spiritually it bestows straightforwardness and the ability to direct scattered spiritual energies towards a single goal. By using Sapphire we are made to look at our own lives in a critical way and reject anything that does not stand up to scrutiny. Sapphires encourage the desire for knowledge and wisdom. They have an emotionally calming effect, helping with depression, psychic illnesses and delusions. It also strengthens the power of belief and the love of truth.
Mentally sapphire encourages sobriety, the ability to criticise and organisation of thoughts. Our intentions and will become so clear that both ideas and thoughts are realised very rapidly. They activate and manifest one’s life purpose and focus and karmic agreements for soul growth. Psychologically, the sapphire helps maintain inner peace and are good for one’s mental state. They calm nerves and promote mental clarity, helping with focus and concentration.
Physically sapphire encourages all healing processes through a mental decision to get well. It alleviates pain, lowers fevers and is particularly helpful with intestinal, brain and nervous diseases.
Sapphire can be worn, laid on the stomach and forehead, or consumed internally as a precious gem essence or elixir. As a tool for self improvement, sapphires are a wonderful way to keep your life in check. They are said to have a powerful and transformative gemstone energy that may work quickly and drastically. They will help you connect to the universe - that is they can open your internal and spiritual self to the powers of the universe.