September
September's birthstone is sapphire — that deep blue a symbol of wisdom, loyalty and nobility, tied since antiquity to sky and truth.
September’s birthstone is sapphire — that deep blue a symbol of wisdom, loyalty and nobility, tied since antiquity to sky and truth. Hard and tough, it is the coloured gemstone best made for daily wear.
About the September Birthstone
Sapphire is September’s modern and traditional birthstone, the same mineral as ruby (corundum), hardness 9. Within corundum, all but red (ruby) is sapphire — beyond blue there are pink, yellow, purple, orange and colourless, together “fancy sapphire”. The rarest colour is the pink-orange padparadscha.
The Meaning of This Month
Sapphire symbolises wisdom, loyalty, nobility and protection. That deep blue has since antiquity been tied to sky and truth, the solemn colour of royalty and the Church. To give it to someone born in September is to wish “wisdom and calm, and a constancy of loyalty”.
History & Culture
The birthstone tradition traces to the twelve gems of the Breastplate of Aaron, matched to the months and zodiac, and standardised into the modern list by the American jewellers’ association in 1912. Sapphire has symbolised loyalty and wisdom since antiquity, and medieval clergy took it as a figure of heaven; modern royal engagement rings — the Ceylon sapphires of Princess Diana and the Duchess of Cambridge — add a story of their own.
The Lists
| List | September birthstone |
|---|---|
| Modern (1912 · US) | Sapphire |
| Traditional | Sapphire |
| Zodiac | Virgo (to 9/22) · Libra (from 9/23) |
Explore this month's stones
FAQ
What is September's birthstone?
Sapphire. The modern and traditional lists agree.
Is a sapphire always blue?
No. Within corundum, all but red (ruby) is sapphire — also pink, yellow, purple, orange and colourless, together "fancy sapphire".
What does sapphire symbolise?
Wisdom, loyalty, nobility and protection; tied since antiquity to sky and truth.
Can I wear a sapphire every day?
Yes. At hardness 9, second only to diamond, it is the most hard-wearing of the coloured gemstones.
Which zodiac signs go with September?
Virgo (to September 22) and Libra (from September 23).