Sapphire Birthstone for September and Taurus

Symbolising truth, sincerity and faithfulness, sapphires were thought to possess strong medical powers, with the particular ability to remove all impurities and foreign matter from the eyes. Ancient cultures regarded star sapphires to be a very powerful talisman in the form of a ‘guiding star’ for travellers, and the ancient Persians believed that the earth rested on a giant sapphire and its reflection coloured the sky. One of the four precious gemstones (along with diamonds, emeralds and rubies), the sapphire is a member of the corundum family of stones. Trace amounts of iron, titanium and chromium give sapphires their blue, yellow, pink, purple orange or greenish colour, although the most famous and valuable of colours for the sapphire is a rich, intense blue. Sapphires are found chiefly in Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar (formerly Burma) and also in Australia and in Montana in the USA. Sapphires from Kashmir in India are of a stunning cornflower shade of blue and are very highly valued. The 45th wedding anniversary is represented by sapphires, as is the star sign Taurus.