September Birthstone Guide: Sapphires Are More Than Blue

Ask someone to picture a sapphire, and chances are they’ll see blue.

Deep. Velvety. Almost impossible to mistake.

Blue sapphire has been associated with September for generations, but it tells only part of the story.

Sapphires occur naturally in an extraordinary range of colors, from soft pink and golden yellow to green, orange, and white. For anyone celebrating a September birthday, that means your birthstone can feel far more personal than tradition might suggest.

At Lewis Jewelers, we think that makes sapphire especially interesting.

You don’t have to choose the color everyone expects. You can choose the one that feels like you.

What Is the September Birthstone?

Sapphire is the traditional birthstone for September. Best known for its rich blue color, sapphire has long been associated with qualities such as loyalty, sincerity, and wisdom.

But sapphire is not exclusively blue.

Sapphires belong to the corundum mineral family and can occur in nearly every color. Red corundum is the exception: it is classified as ruby.

All of those other shades open up an entirely different way to think about September birthstone jewelry.

Are Sapphires Only Blue?

No. Natural sapphires can be blue, pink, yellow, green, orange, purple, white, and other shades. Sapphires that aren't blue are often called fancy sapphires or fancy colored sapphires.

The color comes from trace elements present as the gemstone forms.

The result?

The same gemstone. An entirely different personality.

What Colors Do Sapphires Come In?

Blue may be the icon, but it doesn't have to be your color.

Blue Sapphire
Classic and immediately recognizable. A beautiful choice for birthdays, anniversaries and jewelry meant to be kept for generations.

Pink Sapphire
Soft or saturated, romantic or playful. Pink sapphire brings a less expected point of view to the September birthstone.

Yellow Sapphire
Bright, warm and full of energy. Yellow sapphire feels especially at home in yellow gold.

Green Sapphire
Quietly distinctive. Green sapphires can range from delicate, muted tones to deeper shades with remarkable character.

White Sapphire
Clean and understated, with a colorless appearance that lets the stone's natural brilliance take the lead.

And those are only the beginning.

That range is part of what makes sapphire such a personal gemstone. Two people can share the same September birthday without choosing anything remotely alike.

Can You Wear Sapphire Jewelry Every Day?

Yes. Sapphire is one of the hardest natural gemstones, ranking 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, just below diamond.

That durability makes sapphire an excellent choice for jewelry you plan to wear often, including rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.

It is also one reason sapphires have been treasured across generations.

Color gives you the freedom to make it personal.

Durability gives you the freedom to live in it.

A More Colorful September: The Bliss Collection

This is where September gets interesting.

Our Bliss Collection embraces the more expressive side of fine jewelry: yellow gold, vibrant color, and pieces designed to become part of everyday life.

For someone who loves the meaning of a September birthstone but doesn't necessarily see herself in traditional blue, colorful sapphire jewelry offers another answer.

A pink sapphire layered with the necklaces she already wears.

A yellow sapphire ring added to a favorite stack.

A color chosen not simply because September says so, but because it reminds you of her.

That distinction matters.

A birthstone tells you where to begin.

The person tells you what to choose.

Why Is Blue Sapphire Still So Iconic?

Because some traditions earn their place.

The depth of a fine blue sapphire is difficult to forget, and blue sapphires have been associated with loyalty and enduring love for centuries.

Paired with diamonds, they can feel wonderfully traditional. Set in a more contemporary design, the same gemstone can take on an entirely different character.

For a September birthday, anniversary, engagement or future heirloom, blue sapphire remains a meaningful choice.

It just simply isn't the only one.

How Do I Choose the Right Sapphire Color?

Start with the person, not the birthstone chart.

What colors does she actually wear?

Does she gravitate toward quiet neutrals or pieces with personality? Does her jewelry tend to be classic, colorful, minimal or layered? Would she rather have something unmistakably September, or something no one would immediately expect?

Those questions will tell you more than a list of gemstone meanings ever could.

If you're choosing a September birthday gift and aren't sure where to begin, bring us the story.

We'll help with the sapphire.

Frequently Asked Questions About September Birthstones

What is the birthstone for September?
Sapphire is the traditional September birthstone. Blue is its most famous color, but sapphires naturally occur in many other shades.

Is the September birthstone always blue?
No. September's birthstone is sapphire, but sapphires are not always blue. Pink, yellow, green, orange, purple, and white sapphires are among the many possibilities.

Are colorful sapphires real sapphires?
Yes. Fancy colored sapphires are genuine sapphires. They belong to the same corundum mineral family as blue sapphire and display different colors because of their chemical composition.

What is the rarest sapphire color?
Sapphire rarity depends on color, origin, quality, and other characteristics. Certain highly sought-after colors and combinations can be exceptionally rare, which is why individual sapphires should be evaluated on their own merits rather than color alone.

Are sapphires good for everyday jewelry?
Yes. Sapphire ranks 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it one of the hardest natural gemstones and well suited to many types of everyday jewelry.

What jewelry makes a good September birthday gift?
Sapphire rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets can all make meaningful September birthday gifts. The best choice depends less on tradition and more on the person's style, which is why colorful sapphires can be especially personal.

Your September Birthstone Should Feel Like Yours

Maybe it's the blue everyone recognizes.

Maybe it's pink.

Maybe it's yellow, green or a shade you didn't know sapphire could be until today.

That's the pleasure of discovering this gemstone beyond the expected.

Your birthstone gives you the tradition.

You get to choose the story.

Explore colorful sapphire jewelry from the Bliss Collection at Lewis Jewelers in Clear Lake, Texas, and discover a September birthstone that feels unmistakably yours.