September Birthstone Q&A: Sapphire

 September’s birthstone, the sapphire, has a rich history.

Blue sapphires have been associated with royalty for centuries. One of the most recognizable pieces is the sapphire and diamond engagement ring given to the late Princess Diana by Prince Charles, now famously passed down a generation to Kate Middleton by Prince William.

Test your knowledge of sapphires, and learn some interesting facts about September’s royal birthstone.

1. In addition to being the birthstone for September, what number wedding anniversary do sapphires celebrate?
2. Blue sapphire is a variety of the mineral called corundum. What other gemstone comes from corundum?
3. The blue sapphire is derived from the Greek word, sappheiros. What does the word mean?
4. Sapphires come in many colors. What is the most valuable and in-demand color?
5. The Star of India is the world's largest gem-quality blue star sapphire, and is around two billion years old. In what famous museum is it displayed?
6. On the Mohs scale of hardness, sapphires rate a 9.0. What gem is harder?
7. What did the ancient Greeks believe sapphires were a symbol of?
8. The ancient Persians believed the earth was supported by a giant sapphire and that it gave what its blue hue?
9. According to Jewish midrash, Moses’ sapphire tablets were carved from where?
10. The late Diana, Princess of Wales, famously chose a blue sapphire and diamond ring for her engagement to Prince Charles. Replicas of the ring became so popular with people, that it was given what nickname?

September Birthstone Quiz Answers:


1. Sapphires celebrate the 45th wedding anniversary.
2. Rubies also come from the mineral corundum.
3. The Greek word sappheiros meaning blue stone.
4. Blue sapphires are the most expensive and desirable of all sapphire colors.
5. The Star of India is on exhibit in the Morgan Memorial Hall of Gems at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
6. Diamonds are the only gem to rank a 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness.
7. The ancient Greeks believed sapphires were a symbol of wisdom and purity.
8. The ancient Persians believed a giant sapphire gave the sky its blue hue.
9. According to Jewish midrash, Moses’ sapphire tablets were carved from the throne of God, making them the most precious gemstone.
10. Princess Diana’s ring became so popular with the public that it became known as “the commoner’s ring.”

Fabulous Facts About Sapphires

Sapphire Ring: https://www.ebay.com/itm/233138374649

Few gems are considered as regal and magical as sapphires—the royal gemstone and September’s birthstone.

Here are some fun and fabulous facts about sapphires, courtesy of GIA.

1. Blue sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum, the same mineral that rubies come from.
2. The sapphire is derived from the Greek word "sapheiros," which means blue.
3. On the Mohs hardness scale, sapphires are second only to diamonds in hardness.
4. Although sapphires come in many colors, the most valuable and sought after are deep blue sapphires.
5. In addition to being the birthstone for September, sapphires are also the gemstone for celebrating 45th wedding anniversaries.
6. The ancient Greeks believed sapphires were a symbol of wisdom and purity.
7. The ancient Persians believed the Earth was supported by a giant sapphire and its reflection made the sky blue.
8. According to Jewish midrash, Moses was given tablets of sapphire that were carved from God’s throne, making them the most precious gemstone.
9. The late Diana, Princess of Wales, famously chose a blue sapphire and diamond ring for her engagement to Prince Charles.
10. After the engagement of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, reproductions of her ring became so popular with the public that it became known as “the commoner’s ring.”
11. After inheriting it upon her death, Prince William gave his mother’s ring to Kate Middleton when he proposed to her. The Duchess of Cambridge can almost always be seen wearing it in public.
12. The 104-carat Stuart Sapphire is on the back side of the British Imperial State Crown and is currently on display as part of the British Crown Jewels collection at the Tower of London.

Source: GIA

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Princess Diana’s Influence on Jewelry Style

It has been 20 years since the passing of Princess Diana, and her legacy is remembered by the world as strongly today as it was two decades ago. Kept forever in our hearts for her humanitarian efforts and grace, her style was also influential in fashion as well as jewelry.

Case in point was the unusual choice of her engagement ring. In 1981, Princess Diana chose the ring for her engagement to Prince Charles. She was criticized at the time for choosing a ring that “anyone could buy” instead of having one custom made. But Lady Di had an eye for style, and replicas of the ring were quickly in demand, as they are again today. The royal ring was originally purchased in 1981 from the catalog of the historic British jeweler, Garrard, for 28,000 British pounds ($65,000 USD). Today, the ring is said to be worth about half a million dollars, with the sapphire alone worth $300,000. Princess Diana liked the ring so much that she even wore it after her divorce from Charles.

Upon Diana’s death, both of her sons chose a keepsake of hers — Prince Harry chose his mother’s engagement ring, while Prince William chose his mother’s gold Cartier watch. But the two brothers had an agreement that whoever became engaged first would present the ring to their betrothed. Prince William romantically proposed to his sweetheart of over eight years, Kate Middleton, while they were on vacation in 2010 in Kenya. Prince William proposed to Middleton with the famous sapphire and diamond ring, stating later he used his mother’s engagement ring as a “way of making sure my mother didn’t miss out on today and the excitement.”

Diamonds and Sapphires

The royal engagement ring is a deep blue oval sapphire — estimated at 12 carats — encircled by 14 round diamonds set in 18K white gold. After her engagement, Middleton had the engagement ring resized by the royal jewelers G. Collins & Sons to fit her finger better. She asked them to attach small platinum beads inside the bottom of the ring to make it smaller. When Middleton first showed the ring in public at St. James’s Palace in London, she wore a royal blue dress by Issa that accentuated the blue of the sapphire.

Royal Replicas In Demand

Soon after Kate Middleton first appeared wearing the royal ring, demand for replicas skyrocketed around the globe as it did when Diana first appeared wearing it. The National Sapphire Company’s website actually crashed from demand-related traffic and jewelers around the world worked overtime to respond to the demand.

Interested in a sapphire engagement ring? Browse Adina Jewelers eBay for a beautiful selection fine sapphire jewelry, at true wholesale prices.

September Birthstone Q&A: Sapphire

September’s birthstone, the sapphire, has a rich history. Blue sapphires have been associated with royalty for centuries. One of the most recognizable pieces is the sapphire and diamond engagement ring given to the late Princess Diana by Prince Charles, now famously passed down a generation to Kate Middleton by Prince William.

Test your knowledge of sapphires, and learn some interesting facts about September’s royal birthstone.

1. In addition to being the birthstone for September, what number wedding anniversary do sapphires celebrate?
2. Blue sapphire is a variety of the mineral called corundum. What other gemstone comes from corundum?
3. The blue sapphire is derived from the Greek word, sappheiros. What does the word mean?
4. Sapphires come in many colors. What is the most valuable and in-demand color?
5. The Star of India is the world's largest gem-quality blue star sapphire, and is around two billion years old. In what famous museum is it displayed?
6. On the Mohs scale of hardness, sapphires rate a 9.0. What gem is harder?
7. What did the ancient Greeks believe sapphires were a symbol of?
8. The ancient Persians believed the earth was supported by a giant sapphire and that it gave what its blue hue?
9. According to Jewish midrash, Moses’ sapphire tablets were carved from where?
10. The late Diana, Princess of Wales, famously chose a blue sapphire and diamond ring for her engagement to Prince Charles. Replicas of the ring became so popular with people, that it was given what nickname?

September Birthstone Quiz Answers:


1. Sapphires celebrate the 45th wedding anniversary.
2. Rubies also come from the mineral corundum.
3. The Greek word sappheiros meaning blue stone.
4. Blue sapphires are the most expensive and desirable of all sapphire colors.
5. The Star of India is on exhibit in the Morgan Memorial Hall of Gems at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
6. Diamonds are the only gem to rank a 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness.
7. The ancient Greeks believed sapphires were a symbol of wisdom and purity.
8. The ancient Persians believed a giant sapphire gave the sky its blue hue.
9. According to Jewish midrash, Moses’ sapphire tablets were carved from the throne of God, making them the most precious gemstone.
10. Princess Diana’s ring became so popular with the public that it became known as “the commoner’s ring.”

All About September’s Birthstone: The Blue Sapphire

September’s official birthstone, the blue sapphire, is one of the most beautiful and regal of all gemstones. Improve your knowledge of sapphires with this issue’s Adina by Empire’s newsletter, then check out our online eBay store and find yourself the perfect piece of sapphire jewelry!

1. Blue sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum, the same mineral that rubies come from.
2. The sapphire is derived from the Greek word sapphirus, which means blue.
3. On the Mohs hardness scale, sapphires are second only to diamonds in hardness.
4. Although sapphires come in many colors, the most valuable and sought after are deep blue sapphires.
5. In addition to the birthstone for September, sapphires are also the gemstone for 45th wedding anniversaries.
6. The ancient Greeks believed sapphires were a symbol of wisdom and purity.
7. The ancient Persians believed the Earth was supported by a giant sapphire and its reflection made the sky blue.
8. According to Jewish midrash, Moses was given tablets of sapphire that were carved from God’s throne, making them the most precious gemstone.
9. The late Diana, Princess of Wales, famously chose a blue sapphire and diamond ring for her engagement to Prince Charles. After enheriting it upon her death, Prince William gave his mother’s ring to Kate Middleton when he proposed to her, and she now wears it.
10. During both royal weddings, reproductions of Princess Diana’s ring became so popular with the public that it became known as “the commoner’s ring.”

If you’re looking to buy beautiful sapphire jewelry, either for yourself or a loved one born in September, Adina by Empire Jewelers has a magnificent collection of estate and vintage sapphire jewelry, available at true wholesale prices. Shop online today, and remember, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.