Throughout history, around the globe, the sapphire has adorned royalty and the robes of clergy, been thought to protect its wearers from harm, or trusted as an antidote to poison. The ancient Persians even believed our earth rested upon a giant sapphire, and this was what made our sky blue. Seeped in centuries of adoration, the September birthstone is resilient enough for daily wear and whilst the deep blue is its most famous and revered colour, these gemstones also come in pink, yellow, green, white and purple, making them extremely adaptable to each individual style.
Rated 9 out of 10 on the Mohs scale, the September birthstone is only second to a diamond in hardness, making it one of the toughest gemstones there are. For those looking for jewellery that can be worn everyday, like an engagement ring, the sapphire is tough enough to resist most scratches from dust and everyday wear.
One of the most famous engagement rings to feature the September birthstone is Princess Diana’s, which later was bestowed to Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge. It is a rich and deep blue 12ct sapphire surrounded by 14 diamonds. Traditionally royalty would have bespoke jewellery made for such an engagement, but Diana’s down to earth nature picked something that reminded her of her mother’s ring, even though it was a design available to anyone through the Garrad Jewellers public catalogue. Another famous sapphire is the 62.02 ct Rockefeller Sapphire which was unearthed in Myanmar (formally Burma).
Myanmar, Kashmir and Sri Lanka are three historically important sources for the September birthstone, though there have been many unearthed in other parts of the world such as Australia, Thailand, Cambodia, Madagascar and Montana in the United States.
Here at Lulu and Boo, we’re big fans of the September birthstone, and they are the gorgeous feature of our Harlequin collection of Sapphire Jewellery. Ethically sourced sapphires and gemstones are delicately set in beautiful recycled 100% 9ct or 18ct gold. We have an array of colours, and if you’ve got a particular one that connects with your style, why not work with our founder and designer Corinne to create a bespoke piece of jewellery that can live on in your family for generations to come.
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for a loved one who would adore their September birthstone set in a sustainable luxury piece of jewellery, then our new Sapphire cluster collection might be just the one. Featuring a colourful cluster of sapphires in differing shapes and sizes, and our signature quality recycled 9ct or 18ct gold ring, its playful design brings sparkle and joy to any outfit, day or night.
Although durable, it's always good practice to take good care of your fine jewellery so that they can be enjoyed for years to come. Warm soapy water is a safe choice when cleaning sapphire jewellery. Some sapphires are treated to improve their colour or clarity - in some cases this can make them more delicate, so before you buy a sapphire always asked by what method it was treated before using ultrasonic or steam cleaners, and fracture-filled or dyed material should only ever be cleaned with a damp cloth.