It’s nearly the end of September and I’ve not even mentioned it’s stunner of a birthstone – Sapphire!

Sapphire Cluster Ring

I think everyone is pretty familiar with blue gemstones as being sapphires but they can actually be found in all sorts of colours; yellow, pink, purple, lilac, green, white, black, even orange, all really except one.. red.

A red-sapphire would be known as ruby!

Cushion-cut Ruby with a Diamond Halo & Shoulders Ring

Sapphires and rubies belong to the Corundum family of gemstones (composed of Aluminium Oxide), this then has trace elements such as iron, titanium, chromium, vanadium and magnesium which can give the gemstone it’s colour.

Oval Pink Sapphire Necklace with Diamonds

Sapphires have a remarkable hardness of 9 on Moh’s scale which makes them suitable for nearly all types of jewellery including engagement rings.  The most famous sapphire engagement ring of course belonging to Kate, the Princess of Wales. Another famous sapphire also seen prominently this month is the St Edward’s sapphire, one of the oldest stones set in the crown jewels.

Sapphires can be mined in Australia, Thailand, Africa, Sri-Lanka, and the USA amongst others. The colours varies from location to location, with Australian sapphires tending to be inky dark blue, Ceylon sapphires of a bright mid blue and Kashmir sapphires of an intense corn-flower blue.

A pair of Pear-shaped Sapphires with Diamond and Pearl Drops

Sapphire is the traditional gift for 45 years of marriage (45!!!!) and of course the birthstone for this month… what’s left of it!

Yellow Gold & Green Sapphire Crystal Pendant