What’s September Birthstone?
Sapphire, which is the September birthstone, is a well-known gemstone that is widely used in jewelry. A high-quality Sapphire with a dark blue hue and exceptional transparency can cost several thousand dollars per carat. Although the blue variety is commonly used in jewelry, the yellow, pink, and orange varieties have recently become very popular. Green and light blue Sapphires are also available but are less frequently used in jewelry. Black Sapphire, although opaque, is still used as a minor gemstone in various forms of jewelry, such as bracelets, necklaces, rings, and earrings. It can be used as a focal point gemstone or as a complementary stone to enhance other gemstones like Diamonds in pendants and rings.
Cabochon cleaning is the preferred method for Star Sapphires, which can be incredibly valuable if transparent. The Padparadscha, a rare orange-pink variety, can be even more valuable than high-quality blue Sapphire. Occasionally, blue Sapphire is carved into shapes or figurines, particularly if the material is not very transparent. Synthetic Sapphire is often used as a cost-effective alternative to the natural material.
Sapphire is typically subjected to heat treatment to intensify its blue tone and increase clarity. This is a common practice in the industry, and most Sapphire gemstones used for jewelry have undergone this process. However, unheated Sapphires with natural tones are highly prized and can command a high price. Occasionally, Sapphires are artificially colored through diffusion treatment, which alters the original shade of the gemstone. This process involves heating the stone in a beryllium metal overlay and can produce colors such as dark blue, bright yellow, vibrant orange, and orange-red. Despite their attractive hue, Diffused Sapphire gemstones are genuinely affordable. It is important to disclose all color treatments and enhancements performed on Sapphire gemstones to the buyer and only purchase from highly reputable sellers.
