Birthstone Spotlight: 10 Facts About Sapphires

Featured: The Hokusai Ring set with a 4.536-carat Certified Intense Blue Sapphire, crafted in 18k White and Black Gold. From the ROMANCE DE L'ART NOUEAVU High Jewellery Collection.

Sapphire, September’s birthstone, carries a legacy of royal allure, vibrant variety, and surprising modern uses. Here are ten sapphire secrets that may change how you see this extraordinary gemstone:

1. More than just blue

While blue sapphires are the most iconic, corundum gems appear in nearly every colour - from pastel pink and sunny yellow, to green, violet, and rich orange. Only red corundum is called a ruby.

2. Named for its hue - sort of

The word “sapphire” traces back to the Latin sapphirus and Greek sappheiros, which originally referred to lapis lazuli, not sapphire itself.

3. Heated and unheated sapphires

Sapphires may be found in their natural state or gently heated to enhance their colour and clarity, a common practice in the gemstone industry. Both are equally beautiful, and what truly matters is choosing the colour that speaks most to you.

4. Larger-than-life gems

The Millennium Sapphire from Madagascar weighs over 61,000 carats as a single carved gemstone - still one of the largest gem-quality sapphires ever known. The carvings on the sapphire depict more than 134 prominent figures throughout recorded history.

Featured: The Millennium Sapphire. (Image source: Medium)

5. Starlit enchantment

Some sapphires reveal a shimmering six-rayed “star” when cut in cabochon form, an effect known as asterism, rare and mesmerising.

Featured: The Hokusai Earrings with Unheated Purple Star Sapphires, crafted in 18k White Gold. From the ROMANCE DE L'ART NOUVEAU High Jewellery Collection.

6. A favourite for engagement rings

Sapphires score a 9 on the Mohs scale, making them one of the hardest gemstones after diamonds. Their beauty and durability have made them a sought-after choice for engagement rings.

Featured: The Duet Engagement Ring set with a 1.20-carat Certified Pink Sapphire. All engagement and wedding bands are customisable.

7. Jewel of royalty and romance

For centuries, sapphires have been the gemstone of kings and queens, appearing in crowns, ceremonial jewels, and royal collections. Their enduring association with nobility continues to this day.

8. The “Heart of the Ocean”

Sapphire became a pop culture icon in the film Titanic, where the legendary “Heart of the Ocean” necklace took centre stage. Though the movie version was fictional, a real-life sapphire and diamond version was created and worn by Celine Dion at the 1998 Academy Awards - later selling for $2.2 million dollars at a charity auction..

Featured: Celine Dion wearing the real-life "Heart of the Ocean" necklace (Image source: People)

9. Beyond adornment: tech and timekeepers

Synthetic sapphire is used in luxury watch crystals, smartphone lenses, and high-performance optics, prized for its scratch resistance and durability.

10. Nature’s chameleons

Some sapphires reveal more than one hue within a single stone, displaying striking bi-colour zones, while others shift their colour entirely under different lighting - from blue in daylight to violet under incandescent light. These natural wonders remind us that sapphire’s beauty is endlessly surprising.

Sapphires in Gemstone Jewellery

At Simone Jewels, each of our sapphire High Jewellery creations is thoughtfully designed to celebrate the gem’s rarity and spectrum of captivating colours.

Featured: The Courage of Life Ring set with a 5.02-carat Unheated Teal Sapphire, crafted in 18k Yellow Gold. From the TATTOO High Jewellery Collection.

Featured: The Heavenly Purity Earrings set with 2.27-carats of Pink Sapphires, crafted in 18k White Gold. From the PORTRAITS OF PORCELAIN High Jewellery Collection.

Featured: The Twelve Blossoms Ring set with a 1.12-carat Blue Sapphire, crafted in 18k White Gold. From the PORTRAITS OF PORCELAIN High Jewellery Collection.

The allure of sapphires lies not only in its beauty, but in the stories it inspires, from ancient royalty to modern romance. For those who wish to experience sapphire’s splendour beyond words, we invite you to discover our High Jewellery creations. Book an appointment with Simone Jewels and let these precious gems speak to you in person.

For a more in-depth read on sapphires, explore Jewel Talk: Sapphires