Sapphire: Fun Facts About the Birthstone of September

Sapphire is the birthstone of September, and I wanted to share a few fun facts about this remarkable gemstone.

Sapphire is a really hard gemstone. It measures 9 on the Mohs scale, second only to diamond, which makes it a superb choice for a ring that will be worn every day.

Sapphires are a form of corundum, or aluminium oxide. In its pure state, corundum is colourless. Trace elements give sapphire its colours: iron and titanium create the classic blue, while elements such as chromium, vanadium and magnesium produce yellows, pinks, greens and purples. That's why we see sapphires in such a wonderful range of shades.

Sapphires formed deep within the earth under very high heat and pressure, millions of years ago, so every stone has a long history before it is ever set in a ring.

If you'd like to see that variety for yourself, take a look at our antique sapphire rings and wider collection of antique gemstone rings.