Sapphire, recognized as the birthstone for September, holds a prominent place in jewelry and gemstone lore. The provided sources indicate its consistent association with this month and highlight its availability through retailers like KAY Jewelers, Zales, and Anthropologie. While detailed gemological information is absent from these sources, they establish sapphire’s position as a popular and commercially available gemstone. This article will explore the available information regarding sapphire, focusing on its presence in the jewelry market and its designation as a September birthstone.
Historical Association and Modern Recognition
The sources consistently identify sapphire as the gemstone for September. This association, while not detailed in origin within these materials, underscores the enduring tradition of assigning specific gemstones to each month of the year. The practice of linking gemstones to birth months has roots in ancient astrology and religious beliefs, though the modern list evolved over time. The sources do not provide information on the historical evolution of this tradition, but they confirm sapphire’s current status. The consistent listing of sapphire across multiple sources reinforces its established position as the September birthstone.
Sapphire in the Jewelry Market
The provided sources showcase a range of sapphire jewelry available for purchase. Retailers such as KAY Jewelers and Zales offer sapphire rings and bracelets, often paired with diamonds and lab-created white sapphire. Anthropologie features multi-colored semi-precious beaded bracelets that include sapphire among other gemstones. Amazon Essentials also provides a sterling silver necklace with a created blue sapphire.
The price points vary considerably, ranging from $19.90 for an Amazon Essentials necklace to $3743.25 for a Le Vian Couture turquoise ring with diamonds and set in 18K Vanilla Gold, which also features sapphire. This wide price range suggests that sapphire is available in various qualities and settings, catering to different budgets and preferences. The inclusion of “lab-created” sapphire in some offerings indicates the growing presence of synthetic gemstones in the market.
Color and Varieties
The sources specifically mention “blue sapphire,” suggesting that this color is most commonly associated with the September birthstone. However, the Anthropologie bracelet featuring “multi-color semi-precious” stones implies that sapphires occur in a variety of hues. The sources do not detail the range of colors available, nor do they discuss the causes of these colors (trace elements within the corundum crystal structure).
Gemological Characteristics (Limited by Sources)
The provided sources do not offer any information regarding the gemological properties of sapphire, such as its chemical composition, hardness, refractive index, or crystal system. Therefore, a detailed discussion of these characteristics is not possible based on the available data.
Symbolism and Metaphysical Beliefs
The sources do not provide any information regarding the symbolism or metaphysical beliefs associated with sapphire. Historically, sapphires have been associated with royalty, wisdom, and faithfulness, but these details are not present in the provided materials.
Care and Cleaning
The sources do not offer any guidance on the care and cleaning of sapphire jewelry. However, based on general gemological knowledge (which is explicitly restricted from use here), sapphire is a relatively durable gemstone.
Purchasing Sapphire Jewelry
The sources demonstrate that sapphire jewelry is readily available through various retailers. The listings from KAY Jewelers and Zales provide specific product examples and price points. The inclusion of lab-created sapphire options suggests that consumers have a choice between natural and synthetic gemstones. The sources do not offer any advice on evaluating sapphire quality or selecting the best piece of jewelry.
Sapphire and Other Gemstones
The sources list other birthstones associated with different months, including garnet (January), amethyst (February), aquamarine (March), diamond (April), emerald (May), pearl (June), ruby (July), peridot (August), opal (October), topaz (November), and turquoise (December). This provides a broader context for sapphire within the annual cycle of birthstones. The inclusion of lab-created emerald and white sapphire alongside natural gemstones in Zales’ offerings highlights the increasing use of synthetic materials in the jewelry industry.
Conclusion
Based on the provided sources, sapphire is firmly established as the birthstone for September and is widely available in the jewelry market. Retailers like KAY Jewelers, Zales, and Anthropologie offer a range of sapphire jewelry at varying price points. While the sources lack detailed gemological information or historical context, they confirm sapphire’s enduring popularity and its significance as a cherished gemstone. The availability of both natural and lab-created sapphires provides consumers with options to suit their preferences and budgets.