Sapphire:
September’s Gemstone
Sapphire, a variety of corundum, comes in all colors except red, with the most
popular being deep blue. Rare orange, pink and lavender varieties, along with
rich velvety blue are the most expensive. Like the ruby, its twin except for
color, the sapphire is second only to the diamond in hardness.
Some ancient writers claimed the Ten Commandments were written on sapphire.
Ancient marriage partners had great faith in the stone, believing it would not
shine if worn by the wicked or impure. They were reported to be an excellent
all-purpose medicine; an antidote against poison and having the power to stop
bleeding and cure disorders of the eye. Sapphires were considered to be so
powerful they continued to protect the original owner even after being sold.
Sapphire is the birthstone for September and the gemstone for 5th and 45th
anniversaries. They are found in Sri Lanka, Australia, East Africa and Southeast
Asia.