September's Birthstone

A Jordans Jewellers Guide to Sapphire Jewellery

If you’re celebrating a September birthday (or planning a proposal), sapphire is a beautiful place to begin. Loved for its rich hue, hardness and long-lasting style, sapphire has a feeling of being both classic and one-of-a-kind. Here, we'll provide you with what to consider before making a purchase - then take you through some of our absolute favorite pieces available in our September's Birthstone edit.

What is sapphire? (and why jewellers adore it)

Sapphire is a part of the mineral corundum family - ruby's relative - and it has a Mohs hardness of 9, beaten only by diamond. That hardness means sapphire resists everyday scratching and holds its polish beautifully, making it a reliable choice for rings and other daily-wear pieces.

Corundum’s composition (aluminium oxide) and structure give sapphire its toughness, while tiny trace elements create colour. This combination of durability and beauty is exactly why sapphire works so well for engagement rings as well as birthdays and anniversaries. 

Colour & symbolism: beyond “royal blue”

When we most commonly think of sapphire, we think of a deep, rich blue. But sapphire is available in virtually every hue except for red - think pale pink and teal-blue, golden yellow, sharp white and even fiery orange. If you love a unique look, brighter coloured sapphires are a great option.

Prefer a calmer yet modern look? See how a teal-biased colour works with white metals on our Octagon Teal Sapphire & Diamond Three Stone Ring.

Prefer warmth? Find an autumnal color scheme with the Orange Sapphire & Diamond Three Stone Ring - perfect for September birthdays.

Blue sapphire has globally symbolized truth, fidelity and wisdom in all cultures - one of the reasons it's chosen so often for milestone jewels and weddings. If you favour tradition, a classic blue is perfect; those who want something personal, fancy colours provide you with the opportunity to write your own story. 

Origins & brief history

Sapphire has been admired for centuries, prized by both collectors & royalty. Today, ethically sourced sapphires come from a number of origins, and each stone is assessed on its individual merits - colour, cut, clarity and craftsmanship - rather than just name. 

Styles & settings you’ll see in-store

Different settings bring out different personalities in sapphire:

• Cluster rings create an antique, jewel-box look with a diamond halo around a center stone. Enjoy classic style in our Blue Sapphire & Diamond Cluster Ring.
• Halo rings add lightness and size - the Pre-Owned Pear Shaped Sapphire Halo Ring is a dainty one with finger-slimming measurements.
• Three-stone settings symbolize the past, present and future; the Sapphire & Diamond 3 Stone Platinum Ring offers symmetry in platinum.
• If you’re browsing with proposals in mind, take a look at our curated sapphire engagement ring picks
  

Metals matter: Yellow gold warms blue into a regal, heritage tone; white gold or platinum gives a more contemporary look; rose gold brings romance, particularly with pink or orange fancy sapphires.

Buying guide: colour, cut, clarity, carat, origin & treatments

Colour first. With sapphire, colour can drive value. Look for an even, bright hue with good saturation and brightness. Blue that’s too dark can look inky yet too pale can feel washed out. Fancy colours (teal, pink, orange, yellow, white) have their own charm - choose the one you’ll love wearing.

Cut for brilliance. Sapphire is not cut graded in the same way as diamond, but master cutting has a significant influence on brightness. Ovals, cushions and pears are complimentary to sapphire; step cuts (emerald/octagon) highlight clarity and color.

Expectations of clarity. There may be tiny crystals present in natural sapphires; some inclusions are part of their beauty. Clean to the eye is ideal, but minor inclusions are normal. 

Origin. You may come across stones being described as Sri Lankan (Ceylon), Madagascan or Australian, etc. Origin may play some part in price, but colour and craftsmanship are the most common factors. 

Treatments. The majority of sapphires are heat-treated to improve colour and clarity - a safe, universally accepted treatment. Less common lattice diffusion introduces elements at high temperatures to alter colour more dramatically; reputable jewellers will disclose any treatments. If unsure, ask us - honesty is in our service.

Product highlight: two stunning directions

For an heirloom look with a pop, the Blue Sapphire & Diamond Cluster Ring
surrounds a bright blue center with lively diamonds - a style that does not get old.

Looking for something special? The Octagon Teal Sapphire & Diamond Three Stone Ring
blends geometry with a cool hue - bold yet everyone-friendly.

Sapphire vs alternatives

If you are comparing sapphire to diamond, or other colored stones: sapphire offers a level of resilience for daily wear and a lot more colour choice than you might expect. It's a great way to express personality and handle the knocks of day-to-day living.

Care & cleaning (in-house and from us)

At home, the safest routine is warm, soapy water and a soft brush, then pat dry. Ultrasonic or steam cleaning can be fine for untreated or heat-treated sapphires, but avoid such methods for stones that are fracture-filled, dyed or heavily included. If in doubt, bring your piece to us and we’ll advise. 

We recommend an annual clean and setting check to keep claws secure and your gemstone sparkling.

Gift suggestions by budget

Less than £200

Beautiful and wearable, the Silver Diamond-Shaped Sapphire & CZ Pendant Necklace is a thoughtful September birthday gift.

The 9ct Yellow Gold Round Sapphire Stud Earrings make a lovely September birthday gift.

£300–£1,000

Daily sparkle with heritage touch: Pre Owned 18ct White Gold Sapphire & Diamond Stud Earrings.

Anniversary sentimental favourite: 9ct White Gold Sapphire & Diamond Half Eternity Ring

Over £1,000

For a special occasion, the NEW Sapphire & Diamond Bracelet adds glamorous colour to your wrist stack.

If you're thinking about proposing, take a look at our sapphire engagement ring options
or the Sapphire & Diamond 3 Stone Platinum Ring for traditional symmetry.

Ready to choose?

Visit us in Dorchester or start with our September's Birthstone edit

If you'd like guidance on colour, setting or budget, we're happy to assist you in choosing the perfect sapphire.