Sapphire is September's Birthstone  

The modern and traditional birthstone for September is the sapphire
The mystical birthstone is agate
The ayurvedic birthstone is the moonstone

Sapphire: Brings mental clarity and clears mental garbage. Carrier of the blue ray (when light passes through it in just the right way.)

Birthdays are just a little more special when they have a stone as special as the sapphire asociated with them. The blue sapphire is an ancient stone (in that it has been well loved for thousands of years) and is reputed to have a variety of powers to go along with its glorious good looks.  

Sterling Silver Sapphire & Diamond Tennis Bracelet

Sapphire is the birthstone for September and the gemstone given for anniversaries of the 5th, 23rd, and 45th years of marriage. For the 65th anniversary a star sapphire is given.

The word sapphire comes from the ancient Greek word for blue, "sapphirus." Of course, sapphires, like most precious gems, have a time-honored association with priests (who considered them symbolic of purity) and kings (who considered them symbolic of wisdom.)

Sapphire jewelry has been around equally long. The deep blue compliments many other gems and settings, as well as the gold, silver, and platinum used in fine sapphire rings.

Since sapphires were mined as early as the 7th Century BC in India and what is now Sri Lanka. Today they are found in Sri Lanka, Australia, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Kashmir, Myanmar, Thailand, China, Madagascar, and the United States.

Against Which All Others Are Measured: Sapphires, like rubies, are a variety of corundum. The sapphire's color spectrum includes pink and lavender varieties, a rare orange hue, and, of course, the velvety blue sapphire that earned the gemstone its name.

Genuine Sapphire and Diamond Ring

Because of the way in which corundum crystals are formed, large sapphires are rare…and valuable. The priceless 563-carat Star of India, on display at New York City's Museum of Natural History, is the largest and most famous of "star sapphires" (sapphires that are cut to reflect light from inclusions within the stone to reveal a bright six-legged star pattern).

To Your Health: So strong was the power of a sapphire, it was alleged that a venomous snake put in a vessel made of sapphire would quickly die. Sapphires therefore earned the reputation as an excellent all-purpose medicine and were ingested as an antidote to poison.

Additionally, sapphires were ground into powders as a remedy for everything from colic to rheumatism and mental illness. Sapphires were also believed to be able to stop bleeding and cure disorders of the eye.

The Eyes Have It: Egyptians associated the clear sapphire with the eye of Horas -- the all-seeing, all-knowing "eye in the sky" -- while the gemstone was used by the Greeks to to tap into the subconscious mind by stimulating the opening of the "third eye."

A Mirror of the Soul: Husbands and wives in ancient times frequently exchanged gifts of sapphires. Although the fact that sapphires represent sincerity and faithfulness was undoubtedly the primary reason it was a popular marriage gift, another motive may have been at work: it was believed that a sapphire would not shine if worn by someone who was wicked or impure. Sapphires were considered to be so powerful they continued to protect the original owner even after being sold.

Say it With Sapphires: Clear sapphires, like diamonds, are the guardians of love. When exchanged with a loved one, Sapphires enhance feelings for one another and attunes the two psyches. Sapphires have the power to banish envy and jealousy, and are said to promote chastity in virgins and fidelity in marriage

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Sapphires, Sapphire Jewelry