At Stones Jewelry, we love helping you celebrate the people you care about — and there’s no better month to talk about beauty, history, and meaning than September. In this guide, we explain the September birthstone, why it’s special, how to choose sapphire jewelry, how to care for it, and how we can help you find or restore the perfect piece. This article is written so you can share it with friends, bring it into the store, or use it when choosing a gift.

What is the September birthstone?

September’s primary birthstone is the sapphire. Sapphires are a variety of the mineral corundum, and while the deep blue variety is the most famous, sapphires come in nearly every color of the rainbow except red (red corundum is ruby). Their chemical toughness and brilliant color make them one of the most-loved gems in fine jewelry.

Sapphires are prized not only for color but for durability they are second only to diamonds on the Mohs hardness scale. That combination of beauty and strength is why sapphires are used in everything from rings and pendants to secure everyday pieces.

A short history: why people have treasured sapphires

Sapphires have been treasured for thousands of years. Across cultures, they were often worn by rulers, priests, and the wealthy as symbols of wisdom, protection, and divine favor. Ancient civilizations linked sapphires to the heavens people thought the stones could bring clarity and guard against harm. In the Middle Ages, clergy wore blue sapphires as a symbol of heaven and purity. Those old beliefs helped form the modern meanings attached to the gem.

Because of that royal and spiritual history, sapphire jewelry often carries a deeper sense of tradition. You’ll see sapphires in family heirlooms, engagement rings, and pieces that are meant to mark major life events.

What does the September birthstone mean?

Over time, the sapphire has come to represent several positive qualities:

• Truth and sincerity: historically linked to honesty and clear thinking.
• Loyalty and fidelity: that’s why many couples choose sapphires for engagement or wedding jewelry.
• Wisdom and spiritual insight: the gem was associated with priests and oracles in the past.
• Protection and calm: many traditions believed sapphires could protect the wearer from harm or negative thought.

When you give sapphire jewelry, you’re not only giving a beautiful object you’re giving a symbol that has carried these meanings for centuries. That makes it a powerful birthday, anniversary, or milestone gift.

The colors and types of sapphire

Blue is the classic and best-known sapphire color, but the range is wide:

• Royal blue / cornflower blue the most traditional and sought-after.
• Light blue and teal tones are softer and often more affordable.
• Padparadscha is a rare pink-orange sapphire valued for its unique color.
• Fancy sapphires pink, yellow, green, purple, and even colorless varieties are all possible. These are sometimes marketed by their color (for example, “pink sapphire” or “yellow sapphire”).

Some sapphires show special optical effects, like a star (asterism). These star sapphires are cut in a way that displays a star-shaped reflection when the stone is moved under light. Whether you love the deep royal blue or a lively pink sapphire, there’s a sapphire to suit many tastes and budgets.

How sapphires are graded (what to look for)

When shopping for sapphire jewelry, three qualities matter most: color, clarity, and cut plus carat weight:

• Color: Tone (light to dark), saturation (intensity), and hue (blue, pink, yellow) determine value. Rich, evenly saturated blue stones typically command higher prices.
• Clarity: Sapphires commonly have inclusions (tiny internal characteristics). Fewer visible inclusions at face-up view increases rarity and value, but some inclusions can create attractive effects like a star
• Cut: A well-cut sapphire brings out color and sparkle. The cut should flatter the color and shape of the gem.
• Carat weight: Larger stones are rarer and rise in price per carat, but a smaller, very fine-color sapphire can be more desirable than a larger, dull one.

At Stones Jewelry, we’ll guide you to balance these factors, so your piece looks great and fits your budget.

Choosing sapphire jewelry: what suits different styles

Sapphires are remarkably versatile. Here are a few ideas depending on the occasion:

• Everyday elegance: A modest blue sapphire solitaire or small set in a simple pendant or stud earring is tough enough for daily wear and still looks refined.
• Engagement rings: Blue sapphires paired with diamonds create a classic, vintage, or modern look depending on the setting. Sapphires symbolize loyalty a meaningful choice for betrothal.
• Statement pieces: Larger, richly colored sapphires shine in cocktail rings or dramatic pendants. Consider halo settings or mixed metals to make color pop
• Alternative colors: Pink or yellow sapphires make playful, contemporary alternatives that still deliver durability and value.

We can help you imagine the piece, choose the stone, and create a custom setting that expresses personality and lasts a lifetime.

Caring for sapphire jewelry

Sapphires are durable, but good care keeps them brilliant:

• Cleaning: Use warm, soapy water and a soft brush for routine cleaning. Rinse and dry thoroughly. For delicate or antique pieces, bring them to a professional for proper cleaning.
• Storage: Store sapphire pieces separately to avoid scratches from harder gems or metal edges. A soft pouch or lined jewelry box is ideal.
• Repairs and inspections: Regular checks of prongs, settings, and metal can prevent lost stones. If a setting is loose or you notice damage, bring the piece to a trusted jeweler. Stones Jewelry offers repair, resizing, rhodium plating, overnight polish, and expert inspection services in Wheaton, IL.

We inspect and service jewelry to protect your investment and keep sentimental pieces wearable for generations.

Lab-grown vs. natural sapphires what you should know

Lab-grown sapphires have the same chemical and optical properties as natural sapphires, they’re real corundum. They often cost less and can be a budget-friendly choice. Natural sapphires formed in the earth and can carry unique color zones and inclusions that collectors prize. Whether to choose lab-grown or natural depends on personal preference, purpose, and budget. We’ll explain the trade-offs so you can choose with confidence.

Custom design and heirloom work at Stones Jewelry

At Stones Jewelry, we’ve been your hometown jeweler since 1911. We specialize in custom pieces and in saving the jewelry you already love. Whether you want to design a sapphire engagement ring or transform a family piece into a modern heirloom, our team works with you every step of the way from selecting the stone to the final polish. We also perform careful jewelry repair and restoration, so your sapphires keep dazzling for generations.

Meaningful ways to give sapphire jewelry

Sapphire jewelry marks many kinds of milestones:

• Birthdays: A true September birthday gift celebrate the month with something meaningful.
• Anniversaries: Sapphires are traditional for some anniversaries and make sentimental gifts for long-term commitment.
• Graduations and promotions: A meaningful stone for someone stepping into a new chapter.
• Family heirlooms: Reworking an inherited sapphire into a wearable design keeps memories alive.

We help match the piece to the moment, so your gift is both beautiful and relevant.

Common questions we hear in the store

Is a blue sapphire always more valuable? Not always. Value depends on the quality of color and clarity, not just hue. A deeply saturated, well-cut sapphire will often be more valuable than a larger, washed-out stone.

Can sapphires chip? Sapphires are very hard, but no gem is indestructible. They can chip if hit hard or struck at the right angle. Good settings and careful wear reduce risk.

Do you offer appraisals and insurance paperwork? Yes, we provide professional appraisals and documentation you can use for insurance. Ask us about appraisal frequency and proper coverage levels.

Why choose Stones Jewelry for your September birthstone needs

We combine nearly 115 years of local service with modern gem knowledge. From stone selection to custom design, quick repair, and long-term care, our team guides you with clear information and personal attention. Many customers bring family rings to us for inspection, repair, or redesign — we understand how much those pieces mean. If you want help selecting a sapphire or learning how to care for one you already own, you can count on us.

Final thoughts

The September birthstone is more than a pretty color. Sapphires carry centuries of meaning truth, wisdom, loyalty while offering exceptional beauty and durability for everyday wear or dramatic statement pieces. Whether you prefer classic royal blue or a playful pink, there’s a sapphire to fit your style and your story. If you’re choosing a gift, marking a milestone, or restoring a family treasure, consider giving a piece that holds meaning and lasts.

Contact Stones Jewelry for jewelry and repair needs

We’d love to help you pick a sapphire, design a custom piece, or repair jewelry you already cherish. Stop by our Wheaton store where we’ve proudly served the community since 1911 or give us a call. Our services include custom design, sizing, rhodium plating, fast polish, and careful repairs all delivered with the personal touch you expect from your hometown jeweler. If you have questions about sapphires, need an appraisal, or want to set up a design consultation, contact Stones Jewelry today. We look forward to helping you create or preserve a piece that will tell your story for generations.