September has a color. And it’s blue.

For centuries, sapphire has occupied a unique place in the world of fine jewelry. Regal without being predictable, intensely colorful yet remarkably durable, sapphire has been worn by royalty, treasured by collectors, and passed down as a symbol of loyalty, sincerity, and enduring love. That is why, September Belongs to Sapphire

And while September may officially claim sapphire as its birthstone, this extraordinary gemstone deserves far more than a single month on the calendar.

At Dutch Diamond Imports, we believe sapphire deserves to be appreciated on its own terms—not as an alternative to diamond, but as one of the most fascinating gemstones in the world.

A Gem With Thousands of Years of History

Sapphire is one of the oldest gemstones known to civilization.

The gem has been treasured for thousands of years, with historically important sources including Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Kashmir. Ancient cultures attached powerful meanings to the stone, associating blue sapphire with truth, faithfulness, nobility and protection.

Royalty and religious leaders have worn sapphire for centuries, helping establish the gemstone’s enduring connection with prestige and ceremony.

But sapphire’s appeal isn’t simply about mythology or tradition.

There is something about its color that has remained remarkably timeless.

A fine blue sapphire can range from a delicate, almost watery blue to an intensely saturated royal blue. The finest examples can appear almost velvety, with a depth of color that seems to come from within the stone itself.

And that brings us to one of sapphire’s greatest surprises.

September Belongs to Sapphires, Blue Is Only the Beginning

When most people hear the word sapphire, they immediately picture blue.

And understandably so.

Blue sapphire is the best-known variety, and historically it has been the most popular. But gemologically speaking, sapphire is much more colorful than many people realize.

Sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum. Red corundum is classified as ruby; other colors of gem-quality corundum are considered sapphire.

That means sapphires can occur in pink, yellow, orange, green, purple, violet and other hues. Some can even change color depending on the lighting.

Then there is padparadscha—one of the most distinctive and sought-after sapphire colors.

Its delicate combination of pink and orange is traditionally compared to the color of a lotus blossom. The name itself comes from the Sinhalese word associated with the lotus flower.

So while September may belong to the blue sapphire, the sapphire family itself is practically a spectrum.

Why Some Sapphires Are Exceptionally Valuable

Not all sapphires are created equal.

As with diamonds and other precious gemstones, factors such as color, clarity, size, cut and origin can have a dramatic effect on a sapphire’s desirability and value.

For blue sapphires, color is particularly important.

In general, stones with strong, vivid and well-saturated color are highly prized. But there is an important distinction here: the most valuable sapphire isn’t necessarily the darkest sapphire.

A stone that is simply very dark may lose some of its visual brilliance. The goal is a beautiful balance of saturation, tone and brightness—the kind of color that makes the gemstone appear alive.

And then there is origin.

Certain historical sources have achieved almost legendary status in the world of gemstones.

Kashmir

Kashmir sapphires occupy a particularly important place in gem history.

Around 1881, a landslide in the high Himalayas exposed a deposit of extraordinary blue crystals. The sapphires became famous for their saturated, velvety blue appearance, and thousands of beautiful crystals were recovered during the short period of significant production between approximately 1882 and 1887.

The combination of exceptional color, distinctive appearance and extremely limited historical production helped establish Kashmir sapphire as one of the most coveted varieties of blue sapphire.

Even today, the mere mention of “Kashmir sapphire” can command the attention of serious collectors.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has an equally remarkable sapphire history.

Known historically as Ceylon, the island has been an important source of sapphire for more than 2,000 years. Its alluvial deposits have produced both magnificent blue sapphires and an extraordinary range of fancy colors.

Many of the world’s most celebrated large sapphires have come from Sri Lanka.

And unlike the short-lived historical production of Kashmir, Sri Lanka remains an important sapphire source today.

Myanmar

Myanmar—historically called Burma—is another legendary source of fine sapphire.

Sapphires from the region can display rich, intense blue color and have long been prized in the international gem trade. The country’s famous Mogok region, better known for its rubies, has also produced important sapphires.

The origin of a sapphire, therefore, can become part of its story—and sometimes part of its value.

Sapphire vs. Diamond? That’s the Wrong Question.

There is sometimes an assumption that sapphire is chosen instead of diamond.

We don’t see it that way.

Diamond and sapphire offer completely different expressions of beauty.

Diamond is celebrated for brilliance, fire and exceptional light performance. Sapphire brings color, depth, character and an unmistakable sense of individuality.

And sapphire has another important advantage: durability.

With a Mohs hardness of 9, sapphire is second only to diamond among commonly used natural gemstones in hardness. It also has excellent toughness and no cleavage, which helps make it suitable for rings and other jewelry designed for regular wear.

That combination of beauty and durability is one reason sapphire has remained such an important gemstone for engagement rings and fine jewelry.

So perhaps the better question isn’t:

“Diamond or sapphire?”

It is:

“Why choose only one?”

A diamond and a sapphire can complement one another beautifully, creating jewelry with both brilliance and color.

The Importance of Knowing Your Sapphire

There is another side to sapphire that every serious jewelry buyer should understand: treatment.

Heat treatment is common in the sapphire industry and is widely accepted in the trade. It can improve a sapphire’s color and appearance, and the results are generally permanent. Other treatments exist as well, including lattice diffusion, fracture filling and dyeing.

That doesn’t automatically make a treated sapphire undesirable.

What matters is knowing what you’re purchasing.

A knowledgeable jeweler should be able to explain whether a sapphire has been treated, what type of treatment was used, and—when appropriate—provide supporting documentation or an independent gemological report.

For exceptional or important sapphires, understanding the stone’s characteristics and history is part of appreciating its value.

September’s Gem Has Serious Royal Credentials

Perhaps one of the reasons sapphire has such enduring appeal is the way it has repeatedly appeared in some of the world’s most famous jewelry.

Royal collections have included magnificent sapphires for generations. One of the most recognizable examples in modern times is the famous blue sapphire engagement ring associated first with Princess Diana and later with Catherine, Princess of Wales. GIA identifies the ring as one of the world’s best-known sapphire engagement rings.

But sapphire’s connection with royalty isn’t merely a modern phenomenon.

Its associations with nobility, loyalty and sincerity stretch back centuries.

Perhaps that is why sapphire manages to feel both historic and contemporary at the same time.

It can belong in a museum.

It can belong in a royal collection.

And it can look completely at home on a modern woman wearing it with a simple evening dress.

So, Why Sapphire?

Because it has personality.

Because no two stones express color in exactly the same way.

Because a sapphire can be intensely blue, softly pink, golden yellow, vivid green or an extraordinary combination of hues.

Because its geological history can stretch across continents and centuries.

Because exceptional examples can become collector’s pieces.

Because it is durable enough for everyday jewelry while possessing the presence expected of a precious gemstone.

And because sapphire doesn’t need to imitate anything else.

It is sapphire.

That may be the most compelling reason of all.

A September Worth Remembering

September gives us an opportunity to look beyond the traditional diamond conversation and appreciate one of the world’s great colored gemstones.

Whether you’re celebrating a September birthday, an anniversary, an engagement, a milestone—or simply your appreciation for exceptional jewelry—sapphire offers something uniquely its own.

Its history is extraordinary.

Its colors are remarkable.

Its durability is impressive.

And the finest examples can become treasures that carry their own stories from one generation to the next.

At Dutch Diamond Imports, we celebrate sapphire not simply because it is September’s birthstone, but because it represents everything we love about fine jewelry: beauty, craftsmanship, individuality and lasting significance.

This September, take another look at the blue gem.

You may discover that sapphire deserves considerably more attention than one month on the calendar.

Dutch Diamond Imports — Where exceptional gemstones become extraordinary jewelry.