September Birthstone: The Sapphire

September is arguably the best-served month in the entire birthstone calendar: its gem is the sapphire, the most versatile, most durable and one of the most beloved precious stones in the world. It is also our great speciality at Maxime Voillot Gems.

The sapphire: far more than blue

Sapphire is the noble variety of corundum. While royal blue and cornflower blue remain its emblematic hues, sapphire exists in almost every colour: pink, yellow, purple, green, the highly fashionable blue-green “teal”, and even the legendary pink-orange Padparadscha, evoking the lotus flower.

Symbolism: wisdom and fidelity

The stone of kings and bishops in the Middle Ages, sapphire symbolises wisdom, sincerity and fidelity — which is what made it the engagement stone par excellence, from Princess Diana to today. For someone born in September, it is a gift with particularly powerful symbolism.

Heated or unheated: the key criterion

The big question to ask before buying a sapphire: thermally treated or not? The unheated sapphire, whose colour remains exactly as nature created it, is markedly rarer and more sought after. The heated sapphire is still a 100% natural stone whose colour was revealed by a traditional process, at a more accessible price. We devoted a full guide to the question: heated or unheated sapphire — which to choose?

Which jewel for a sapphire?

Hardness 9 on the Mohs scale: the sapphire is made to be worn every day, for a lifetime. Engagement ring, pendant, earrings — it excels everywhere, and our stones can be set in bespoke mountings by our partner jeweller.

With over 200 sapphires in stock, you will find your match in our sapphire collection — or book an appointment at our Paris office for a personalised selection.

Our birthstone series continues every month — last month, the spinel.