Sapphire: The Jewel of September
If you're marking a September birthday this year, or shopping for someone who is, you've landed on one of our favourite gemstones to work with. Sapphire has been September's birthstone for generations, and after more than 30 years designing and crafting jewellery here in Cheshire, we never tire of it.
A Stone With a Long Memory
Sapphires belong to the corundum family, the same mineral family as rubies. In fact, any corundum gem that isn't red is technically a sapphire, which is why, alongside the deep, velvety blues most people picture, we see sapphires come through our workshop in violet, green, yellow, and a soft, romantic pink too. Blue remains the classic choice, ranging from a cool greenish blue right through to a rich violet blue, but the variety within the sapphire family means there's a shade to suit almost anyone who walks through our doors.
Historically, sapphires have been associated with wisdom, loyalty, and nobility. Royalty and clergy favoured them for centuries, believing the stone offered protection and clarity of thought to whoever wore it. That reputation has carried through to today, where we find customers are drawn to sapphire as much for its meaning as its beauty. It's often chosen to represent sincerity and trust, which is part of why it remains such a popular choice for engagement rings as well as birthstone jewellery.
Why September Babies Get the Best Deal
Sapphire sits at the top end of the durability scale, a 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, just below diamond. That makes it an exceptionally practical stone for jewellery that's worn every day, whether that's a ring, a pendant, or a pair of earrings. It resists scratching and holds its polish beautifully over decades, so a sapphire piece we make for you today can easily become a future heirloom.
Choosing Your Sapphire
A few things we always talk through with customers. Colour is the biggest factor in value and personal taste. Traditional blue sapphires are timeless, but we've seen pink and violet sapphires grow steadily in popularity with those wanting something a little different. Setting matters as much as the stone. White gold and platinum tend to make blue sapphires pop with extra brightness, while yellow gold gives a warmer, more vintage feel. Pairing with diamonds is a classic combination too. The sparkle of diamonds alongside the saturated colour of a sapphire is a pairing that's stood the test of time, and one of our most requested combinations.
Visit Us in Marple
We're an independent, family run jeweller with our showroom in Marple, Cheshire, and sapphire is very much part of our specialism. Our collection spans sapphire rings, pendants, and earrings across platinum, white, and yellow gold, all available online or in person.
If nothing in our existing collection is quite right, Paul, our jeweller, and our in house workshop can craft a piece built around your own vision through our Bespoke Design Service, whether that's a September birthstone ring for yourself or a gift for someone who'll appreciate that it was made just for them. We also carry a thoughtfully curated pre owned collection, so a beautifully crafted sapphire piece with its own story is an option too.
If budget is a consideration, pairing your sapphire with lab grown diamonds rather than natural ones is a great way to bring the price down without compromising on sparkle or quality. We stock an amazing collection of both natural and lab grown diamonds, so Paul can talk you through the options and help you find the combination that suits you best.
Finding Yours
Sapphire earns its place as September's birthstone through a rare combination of durability, meaning, and sheer visual range. Whether you're drawn to a classic deep blue or want to explore something like pink or violet sapphire, it's a stone that rewards taking your time to choose well, and we'd love to help you find, or create, the right one.
