'For millennia sapphires have been used for healing rituals, astrological prophecy, and alchemy,' Askinosie says, adding that some say sailors believed that sapphires would protect them from drowning at sea, and the medieval kings would wear them around their necks as talismans for protection.Īccording to crystal expert and founder of Goldirocks Yulia Van Doren, sapphire has been revered as the 'Wisdom Stone' since ancient times. (The word sapphire actually comes from the Latin saphirus and the Greek sapherios, which both mean 'blue.') In terms of being a birthstone, blue sapphire is typically thought of as the most popular variety, though Askinosie notes sapphire can also be green, yellow, pink, black, and white. Sapphires are primarily sourced from India, Sri Lanka, the state of Montana, Western Africa, and Australia, she adds. They have a hexagonal crystal structure and are very, very hard.

As crystal expert and co-founder of Energy Muse Heather Askinosie explains to mbg, sapphires are part of the corundum variety of gems. The birthstone for September is none other than sapphire, known for its rich color and gorgeous glimmer.

Sapphire month