The September birthstone – what to look for when buying sapphire jewellery
Sapphire, the birthstone for September, is probably the most regal of all birthstones, in part, to its popularity with the royals – think Kate Middleton’s stunning 12-carat blue sapphire engagement ring, originally belonging to Princess Diana.
But did you know that sapphires are actually found in an array of rainbow shades, depending on the chemical composition of the stone? The only colour they are not, are red as these are rubies – the birthstone for July.
Where are sapphires found?
Eastern Australia is a major source of corundum, the mineral that makes up both sapphires and rubies, and can also be found in Africa, America, Brazil, China, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.
What do sapphires symbolise?
Symbolising integrity, loyalty, protection and sincerity, the sapphire has been a popular gem for centuries. Not only September’s birthstone, it’s also gifted for 5th and 45th wedding anniversaries as jewellery pieces.
Buying guide
Blue sapphires are valued similarly to diamonds using carat, clarity, colour and cut as the basis:
Carat – A sapphire larger in carat weight with exceptional colour and clarity is much rarer and therefore more expensive when compared to a smaller stone or one with lower colour or clarity quality.
Clarity – Clarity is the most important factor when it comes to choosing the perfect sapphire. Although inclusions will almost always be present (unless it’s an incredibly rare gem) it’s important to look for a stone with minimal inclusions that allows maximum light to pass through it for serious sparkle.
Colour – Blue sapphires can vary from pale to deep blue, but it’s the even nature of the colour zoning which marks the quality of the stone. When looking at overall colour, hue, saturation and tone are the three important factors.
- Hue refers to the primary colour of the sapphire and other colours that may be present. With this combination, sapphires can often be green-blue, violet-blue, or even violet-pink.
- Saturation refers to the colour purity of sapphire. On the sapphire colour chart, the highest saturation, and the highest quality, is known as vivid, followed by strong, medium, fair, and weak.
- Tone refers to the depth of colour. Two sapphires can have the same hue (colour) but different tones. The most sought after sapphires are generally mid to deep blue.
Cut – There is no standard cut for a sapphire, however a well-cut gem, with its edges even and symmetrical, should present the colour beautifully and sparkle when moved.
Where can you purchase stunning sapphire jewellery?
Buying an exceptional piece of sapphire jewellery should not only be an enjoyable experience, but you should be safe in the knowledge that what you’re buying will last a lifetime.
In our landmark heritage-listed building, our elegant jewellery boutique is home to some of the world’s most exquisite sapphire jewellery. When it comes to luxury, we offer pieces from around the world, as well as the peace of mind that comes with choosing to make a purchase from a Government of Western Australia-owned enterprise with a long-standing reputation for quality and integrity.
As Perth’s premier jewellery destination, our elegant boutique offers an unrivaled range of sophisticated sapphire jewellery, perfect for 5th or 45th wedding anniversary gifts or as a September birthstone present for your loved one.
Book your appointment today and one of our highly trained consultants can take time to assist you in making the perfect sapphire choice. The Perth Mint Shop is home to an extensive and unique range of treasures which can only be fully appreciated in-store. Appointments are available between 9:00am and 5:00pm Monday to Sunday.
