Sapphire and Lapis Lazuli - September Birthstones

September has two birthstones, and they couldn't be more different in character. Sapphire is one of the most recognised and valued gemstones in the world — associated with royalty, worn for centuries by kings and clergy, and still considered one of the four precious gemstones alongside diamond, ruby, and emerald. Lapis lazuli is something else entirely: an ancient stone with a deep, starry blue that has been treasured since the earliest civilisations. Both are September stones, and both are worth understanding properly.

Sapphire — the primary September birthstone

Sapphire is a variety of corundum, the same mineral family as ruby. Its hardness — 9 on the Mohs scale, second only to diamond — makes it one of the most durable gemstones available, and one of the most practical for everyday jewellery. It's not just beautiful; it lasts.

The blue sapphire is what most people picture, but sapphires actually occur in almost every colour — yellow, pink, white, green, and orange. The most prized blue sapphires come from Kashmir, Burma, and Sri Lanka, with the finest stones showing a deep, velvety cornflower blue. Colour depth and saturation are the primary quality indicators; the most valued stones are rich and saturated without appearing too dark.

What does sapphire mean?

Sapphire has been associated with wisdom, loyalty, and nobility for thousands of years. Medieval clergy wore it as a symbol of heaven. Ancient Persians believed the sky was painted blue by the reflection of sapphires. In more recent history, the sapphire engagement ring has become one of the most recognisable pieces of jewellery in the world — a symbol of enduring commitment and steadfast love.

For someone born in September — particularly under Virgo or Libra — sapphire carries a significance that goes well beyond its appearance. It's a stone associated with clear thinking, calm under pressure, and keeping commitments. Practically, it's also one of the most wearable birthstones in the calendar.

Sapphire as a gift

Beyond September birthdays, sapphire is the traditional stone for a 45th wedding anniversary — making it one of the most meaningful anniversary gifts for a significant milestone. It also suits anyone drawn to blue tones in their jewellery, or anyone looking for a piece that will genuinely last.

Browse our sapphire jewellery collection or the full September birthstone range — including sapphire necklaces, earrings, and rings handmade in our Chester studio.

Lapis Lazuli — the alternative September birthstone

Lapis lazuli is one of the oldest gemstones in human history. It was mined in Afghanistan over 6,000 years ago and traded across the ancient world — used in Egyptian burial jewellery, ground into pigment for Renaissance painting (it became the colour ultramarine), and worn as an amulet by Mesopotamian royalty. Its deep midnight blue, typically flecked with gold-coloured pyrite and white calcite, is one of the most distinctive looks in the gemstone world.

Unlike sapphire, lapis lazuli is a rock rather than a single mineral — a combination of lazurite, pyrite, and calcite. This is why no two pieces look exactly alike: the distribution of the gold flecks and white patches varies naturally. The finest lapis has a rich, uniform blue with minimal calcite and small, evenly distributed pyrite flecks that catch the light like stars.

What does lapis lazuli mean?

Lapis lazuli is consistently associated with truth, wisdom, and inner vision — a stone that encourages honest self-reflection and clarity of thought. In crystal traditions, it's linked to the throat chakra (communication and self-expression) and the third eye (intuition and insight). It appears frequently in jewellery worn by those who value depth of thought or work in creative and communicative fields.

Its connection to truth makes it a particularly meaningful gift for someone facing an important decision, starting something new, or going through a period of significant change.

Wearing lapis lazuli

Lapis lazuli is softer than sapphire — around 5–6 on the Mohs scale — so it benefits from protective settings and careful storage. It's best suited to necklaces, earrings, and pendants rather than rings or bracelets worn heavily day-to-day. The deep blue works beautifully against gold, which brings out the warm pyrite flecks, and makes a striking contrast with silver.

Sapphire vs lapis lazuli — which to choose?

They share a deep blue character but serve different purposes as jewellery and as gifts.

• Choose sapphire if you want something highly durable, suitable for everyday wear, associated with the traditional significance of a precious gemstone, or if you're buying for a 45th anniversary.
• Choose lapis lazuli if you're drawn to something more ancient and unusual in character — a stone with visible depth and individuality, or one whose association with truth and wisdom fits the person or occasion particularly well.

Both are September birthstones, so either is a meaningful choice for someone born in that month.

Caring for September birthstone jewellery

Sapphire is straightforward — clean with warm water and a soft brush, avoid harsh chemicals, and store separately from harder stones. It's robust enough for daily wear in most settings.

Lapis lazuli needs a little more care. Avoid prolonged water exposure, perfume, and ultrasonic cleaners. Wipe clean with a soft dry cloth and store in a pouch away from harder stones that could scratch the surface.

Explore more birthstones

September's stones are two of twelve in the birthstone calendar. Our complete birthstone guide covers every month, and our birthstone jewellery collection includes pieces for every birth month — all handmade to order in our Chester studio.

If you're choosing a gift for a wedding anniversary, our wedding anniversary stones guide covers the traditional gemstone for each milestone year.