Sapphires for September

It was the Victorians in their infinite wisdom that decided that each month should have its birth stone and that each anniversary should be marked with an item of different materials gradually increasing in value. But back to birth stones, they are funny old things that some find poetic and meaningful, and imbue with sentiment.

September is one of our favourites though, because of the glorious Sapphire. When someones says the word Sapphire, the traditional lustrous London Blue Sapphire springs to mind, and people are often surprised to know that natural Sapphires come in many colours. Famously Princess Eugenie’s engagement ring features a peach toned Padparadscha Sapphire, and these have become highly popular in the jewellery industry subsequently.

Sapphires are part of the Corundum family, coming in at 9 on the Moh Hardness scale, it is second only to Diamonds. The name Sapphire comes from the latin Sapphiru meaning blue, and they can be found in Australia, Cambodia and throughout Africa, but the majority of gems are found in Sri Lanka, Kashmir and Madagascar.

The most expensive and desirable shade of Sapphire is the mid cornflower blue, that remains true under all lighting conditions. But having said that the myriad of hues tones from blue to green, and pink and yellow make Sapphires very desirable in our opinion.

Here’s one of our favourites from the cabinets here on Castle Street Exeter.

18ct Yellow Gold Sapphire Trilogy Ring £3560