The month of September is uniquely represented by two distinct yet historically intertwined birthstones: the celebrated blue sapphire and the ancient lapis lazuli. While the official and modernly recognized birthstone is the blue sapphire, lapis lazuli holds a significant place as an alternative, offering a rich legacy of its own. Both stones are renowned for their deep, celestial blue hues, yet they differ profoundly in their geological origins, gemological properties, and cultural narratives. For centuries, these gemstones have captured the human imagination, serving as symbols of royalty, wisdom, and spiritual connection. This article explores the comprehensive history, geology, and properties of September’s birthstones, providing a detailed guide for enthusiasts, collectors, and those born in this autumn month.
The Official Gem: A History of Royalty and Romance
The history of the sapphire is as deep and layered as its signature color. The very name of the gemstone is derived from the Latin sapphirus and the Greek sappheiros, both words translating simply to "blue" or "precious stone." This etymological root underscores the centrality of the color blue to the gem's identity. For countless centuries, sapphire has been inextricably linked with themes of royalty and romance. Ancient civilizations held the sapphire in the highest esteem, believing it held protective powers and divine connections.
In ancient Greece and Rome, the elite class wore blue sapphires as talismans, convinced the stones could shield them from harm and envy. This belief in the sapphire’s protective qualities extended into the medieval period, where clergy wore the gem to symbolize Heaven. The stone was thought to attract heavenly blessings and was a favorite among the aristocracy. The Persian worldview was particularly poetic; they believed the earth rested upon a giant sapphire, and the reflection of this colossal stone against the sky was what gave the heavens their brilliant blue color. This lore cemented the sapphire’s status as a celestial stone, a piece of the sky brought down to earth.
Beyond its protective and symbolic meanings, the sapphire was also attributed with healing powers. Medieval Europeans harbored beliefs that the stone could cure ailments of the eye and even act as an antidote to plague and poison. While these ancient medicinal claims are not supported by modern science, they illustrate the profound reverence in which the sapphire was held. The sapphire’s journey from an ancient talisman to a modern symbol of fidelity and the soul has been a long and storied one, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of gemological history.
The Alternative September Stone: An Ancient Legacy
Lapis Lazuli stands as the alternative birthstone for September, offering a different kind of blue and a history that is equally, if not more, ancient. Unlike sapphire, lapis lazuli is not a single mineral but a metamorphic rock composed primarily of the mineral lazurite, with visible flecks of golden pyrite and veins of white calcite. This unique composition gives it a distinct appearance, often described as a deep royal blue speckled with gold. Its use in jewelry, sculpture, and decorative arts dates back over 6,000 years, with its primary source being the mines of Afghanistan, a source that has been continuously exploited since antiquity.
While sapphire was the stone of kings and clergy, lapis lazuli was the stone of artists and gods. It was famously ground into a powder to create the pigment ultramarine, the most expensive and prized blue pigment in Renaissance painting, used for the robes of the Virgin Mary. Its history is deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of the ancient world, from the funerary mask of Tutankhamun to the seals of Mesopotamian rulers. Though not the official birthstone, its inclusion as an alternative for September provides a connection to this deep, artistic, and global past.
Geological Formation and Global Sources
The formation of these two birthstones could not be more different, reflecting their distinct mineralogical identities.
Sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum, which is a crystalline form of aluminum oxide (Al2O3). The same mineral family gives us the ruby; the only difference is the trace element that causes the color. While rubies get their red from chromium, sapphires achieve their famous blue from trace amounts of iron and titanium. This gemstone forms under intense heat and pressure deep within the Earth's crust, typically in metamorphic rocks like gneiss or in certain igneous rocks like basalt. Major sources for high-quality blue sapphires have historically included Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka (Ceylon), and Kashmir, each producing stones with slightly different color characteristics. More recently, East Africa and Australia have become sources for commercial-grade sapphires, and the state of Montana in the USA is also known for its sapphire deposits. The formation process is a slow and complex geological event, resulting in crystals that are prized for their exceptional hardness and durability.
Lapis Lazuli, in contrast, is not a crystalline mineral but a rock. It forms from the alteration and metamorphism of limestone. The primary mineral, lazurite, is a complex feldspathoid silicate, and its formation requires specific geological conditions involving the intrusion of magma into carbonate rocks. The famous intense blue color comes from the sulfur content within the lazurite structure. The golden flecks are iron pyrite (often called "fool's gold"), and the white veins are calcite, both common impurities that are part of the rock's composition. The most significant and historically continuous source of lapis lazuli is the Sar-e-Sang mine in the Badakhshan province of Afghanistan, which has been producing this stone for millennia. Other sources include Chile and Russia, but the Afghan deposits are renowned for producing the finest deep blue material.
Gemological Properties: A Tale of Two Stones
The physical and chemical properties of sapphire and lapis lazuli are a study in contrasts, defining their value, use in jewelry, and methods of care.
Sapphire is renowned for its exceptional hardness and durability, making it an ideal gemstone for all types of jewelry, including rings and bracelets that are subject to daily wear. On the Mohs scale of hardness, sapphire registers a 9, second only to diamond. This extreme hardness means it is highly resistant to scratching and abrasion. Its chemical composition is simple and robust (Al2O3), and its crystal structure gives it a brilliant luster. While famous for its deep blue color, the sapphire actually occurs in a rainbow of colors (known as "fancy sapphires"), with the exception of red, which is classified as a ruby. The value of a blue sapphire is determined by the intensity and purity of its color, its clarity (freedom from inclusions), and its cut.
Lapis Lazuli, on the other hand, is a relatively soft and porous stone. It typically ranks between 5 and 5.5 on the Mohs scale, making it significantly softer than sapphire and susceptible to scratching by harder materials. Its composition as a rock means it is not a single, uniform crystal, and its porosity can make it vulnerable to damage from chemicals, heat, and even prolonged exposure to water or sunlight, which can fade its color over time. The value of lapis lazuli is judged on the intensity and uniformity of its blue color (the more lazurite and less calcite or pyrite, the more valuable it is) and the aesthetic distribution of the golden pyrite flecks.
| Property | Sapphire (Blue) | Lapis Lazuli |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral Family | Corundum (Aluminum Oxide) | Rock (primarily Lazurite) |
| Chemical Formula | Al₂O₃ | (Na,Ca)₈(AlSiO₄)₆(S,Cl)₂S |
| Mohs Hardness | 9 | 5 - 5.5 |
| Crystal System | Trigonal | Isometric (for Lazurite) |
| Primary Color | Deep Blue | Deep Royal Blue |
| Typical Inclusions | Silk (rutile needles), fingerprints | White calcite veins, golden pyrite flecks |
| Key Sources | Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Kashmir, East Africa, Montana | Afghanistan, Chile, Russia |
Symbolism and Metaphysical Beliefs
The symbolism attached to these two stones is as rich as their color. Sapphire has consistently been a symbol of wisdom, loyalty, and nobility. It is believed to bring truth, sincerity, and constancy to its wearer. For those born in September, it is said to offer protection from harm and envy and to promote clear thinking and inner strength. Its connection to the heavens has made it a stone of spiritual enlightenment and divine favor. In modern times, it remains a powerful symbol of fidelity, making it a popular choice for engagement rings and a traditional gift for the 5th and 45th wedding anniversaries.
Lapis Lazuli carries a different, though equally powerful, set of associations. Its deep blue has always been linked to the night sky, truth, and universal truth. It is considered a stone of wisdom and intellectual ability, stimulating the mind and encouraging creativity. Historically, it was a stone of royalty and gods, and today it is often associated with inner power and self-confidence. It is believed to foster harmony in relationships and to help its wearer express their true self. For those born in September who feel a connection to the arts and to spiritual depth, lapis lazuli offers a compelling alternative.
Care and Cleaning
Given their differing physical properties, sapphire and lapis lazuli require distinct care regimens.
Sapphire’s exceptional hardness makes it relatively easy to care for. It can be safely cleaned using warm water, a mild soap, and a soft brush. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are generally safe for sapphires, provided the stone has no fractures or significant inclusions that could be exacerbated by the vibrations or heat. Its durability means it can withstand the rigors of daily wear with minimal risk of damage.
Caring for lapis lazuli requires much more caution. Its softness and porosity mean it should never be cleaned with harsh chemicals, steam, or ultrasonic cleaners. The best method is to wipe it gently with a soft, damp cloth. It should be removed before activities that might expose it to abrasion or chemicals, such as cleaning or swimming. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight should also be avoided to prevent the color from fading. Treating lapis lazuli with respect for its delicate nature will ensure its beauty endures.
Conclusion
The birthstones of September, sapphire and lapis lazuli, offer a fascinating duality. Sapphire, the official birthstone, is a gem of science and royalty—a mineral of extreme hardness and brilliant color, cherished for its durability and deep symbolism of truth and loyalty. Lapis Lazuli, its ancient alternative, is a rock of art and spirituality—softer and more porous, yet revered for millennia for its profound, celestial blue and its connection to creativity and universal wisdom. For the individual born in September, the choice between these two is a choice between two different kinds of blue: the crystalline, resilient blue of the corundum crystal and the complex, historic blue of the metamorphic rock. Together, they form a complete and compelling picture of what a September birthstone can be—a connection to the earth’s deepest secrets and the sky’s highest aspirations.