The modern birthstone for the month of September is the beautiful Sapphire. Sapphires belong to the mineral family of corundum and are found in weathered alluvial deposits from pyroclastic flows. Most sapphires are blue stones which range from slight blue to a deep indigo coloration. The most valued of the sapphires are the ones that have the medium blue coloration and these are referred to "cornflower blue". Sapphires come in many colors and these are called "fancy sapphires". Only in the case of red, are corundums called rubies. Sapphires are found throughout the world but primarily in Australia, United States. Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Kampuchea, Kenya and Tanzania.
The name "sapphire" comes from multiple sources. In Persian, it is "safir" and was associated with Saturn. In Latin "sappheiros" for the Island where sapphires were mined. Ancient folklore is rich with stories related to sapphires. Seen as a stone that changes its hue when the wearer was engaged in impure behavior, it was given to the wearer to help impart fidelity . Also thought to bring inner peace to the soul and spiritual enlightenment. Sometimes worn to ward off evil spirits and enchantments. It was once called the "Stone of Destiny". The sapphire was thought to impart cures for rhuematoid arthritis, mental illnesses and to cure people struck down by scorpions or snakes.
One of the finest examples of this jewel rests on the Imperial State Crown and is part of the British Crown Jewels. Considered one of the hardest stones next to Diamond, it is listed on the Mohs scale of hardness as a 9. Anniversary stone of the 45th wedding anniversary and is associated with the Zodiac signs of Aquarius, Libra, Capricorn and Virgo.
