What is September's birthstone?

September's birthstone is sapphire, most famously blue but available in nearly every color except red.

Is sapphire good for everyday jewelry?

Yes. At 9 on the Mohs scale it is the most scratch-resistant birthstone after diamond.

September · Birthstone guide

September Birthstone: Sapphire

The September birthstone is sapphire. Blue is classic, but sapphire occurs in pink, yellow, green, purple and the rare orange-pink padparadscha.

Birthstone: Sapphire
Also worn: Lapis Lazuli
Color: Royal blue (and every color but red)
Mineral: Corundum
Hardness: 9 Mohs
Main sources: Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Myanmar, Australia, Montana (USA)
Zodiac signs: Virgo / Libra
Anniversary: 5th and 45th wedding anniversary

What color is the September birthstone, and what does it mean?

Blue sapphire means truth, loyalty and nobility — the reason it is worn in engagement rings and clerical rings alike.

Color is the single biggest driver of value in colored gemstones, and it is also where birthstone symbolism lives. See how every month's color compares in the birthstone color guide.

What does the September birthstone symbolize?

Sapphire has stood for truth, faithfulness and protection from harm since the Middle Ages, when clergy wore it as a symbol of heaven.

The history of the September birthstone

Persians once believed the earth rested on a giant sapphire whose reflection colored the sky. Kashmir sapphires mined in the 1880s set the standard for velvety cornflower blue.

For the origin of the twelve-month tradition itself — Aaron's breastplate, Josephus, Polish gem traders and the 1912 American jewelers' list — read the full history of birthstones.

Every September birthstone in detail: where it's found, its powers and its cuts

Modern birthstone · 9 Mohs

Sapphire

Where sapphire is found: Sri Lanka (Ceylon blue and padparadscha), Madagascar, Myanmar (Kashmir-like velvety blue), Australia, Thailand and Montana (USA).
Spiritual meaning: Wisdom, faithfulness and heavenly favor — the stone of clergy, kings and vows.
Healing powers: Throat- and third-eye-chakra stone used for mental discipline and truthful speech.
Cut styles: Oval and cushion brilliants; star sapphires are cabochon-cut. Color zoning is managed by orienting the cut.

Traditional birthstone · 5–6 Mohs

Lapis Lazuli

Where lapis lazuli is found: Afghanistan's Sar-e-Sang mines (6,000 years of production), Chile and Russia.
Spiritual meaning: Truth, inner authority and royal wisdom; ground into ultramarine for sacred painting.
Healing powers: Third-eye stone used for insight, migraines and honest self-expression.
Cut styles: Cabochons, beads, inlay and carvings; prized for even blue with fine gold pyrite flecks.

Spiritual and healing associations are traditional lore, recorded here for cultural interest — they are not medical advice.

How to buy sapphire

Look for even, vivid blue with no gray. Heat treatment is standard and accepted; unheated stones with certificates carry a premium.

Caring for sapphire jewelry

Extremely durable and safe in ultrasonic cleaners unless fracture-filled.

September birthstone jewelry to look for

Sapphire halo birthstone necklace
September birthstone bar necklace
Sapphire and diamond drop earrings

A pendant is the most forgiving setting for softer stones, because a necklace takes far fewer knocks than a ring. Bezel settings protect the girdle of the stone and suit everyday wear, which is why a bezel-set september birthstone necklace is the piece most people start with.

If you want the stone on your hand instead, a slim september birthstone ring keeps the setting low enough to survive daily wear, and a personalized birthstone bracelet lets you line up one stone for every family birthday.

September birthstone jewelry: personalized sapphire pieces

Shop September birthstone necklaces, rings and bracelets in 18K gold — each one made with the September birthstone and engraved with the name, initial or date you choose. Choose a piece, then pick your finish.

September birthstone: Sapphire on film

A short film on sapphire, the september birthstone — its color, its meaning and how it is worn.

September birthstone questions

More answers in the birthstone questions and answers guide.

What is September's birthstone?: September's birthstone is sapphire, most famously blue but available in nearly every color except red.
Is sapphire good for everyday jewelry?: Yes. At 9 on the Mohs scale it is the most scratch-resistant birthstone after diamond.