Birthstones: September - Sapphire

Sapphire, the name coming from the Greek “sapphirus” for blue, are well known as those beautiful bright blue gems that represent the month of September.

However, Sapphires are not just blue!  In fact any colour of corundum apart from red (which is a ruby) is known as a sapphire.  They can be black, purple, violet, dark blue, bright blue, light blue, green, yellow and orange!

Traditionally it is the dark blue that represents the birthstone.

 In some versions of the legend, King Solomon’s Seal was an inscribed Sapphire.  This magic ring variously gave Solomon the power to command demons, genies (or jinni), or to speak with animals.

Sapphires were said to protect against poison – even being able to kill spiders and snakes just by being in their presence!

They represent truth, spirituality, order and hope. 

Can’t afford a sapphire for your crafting? (I know I can’t!)  You could use the secondary birthstone of Lapis lazuli, or some sparkling glass beads to represent the beautiful blue gem.