The Symbolism and Meaning of a Sapphire, September’s Striking Blue Birthstone

September makes way for the magnificent blue sapphire, which is heralded as one of the “big four” precious gemstones, and has been long associated with the high and mighty, lending the September birthstone an unmistakable air of regality.

While sapphire evokes the quiet dignity of kings and queens who’ve long adorned themselves with the stone, its blue hue hints to a depth beyond its sparkle. The color blue is usually synonymous with intuition, wisdom, and intelligence, creativity coach and tarot reader Jerico Mandybur, author of Rainbow Power: Manifest Your Dream Life Through the Creative Magic of Color told Well+Good, which isn’t far off from what blue sapphires symbolize in the world of healing crystals.

Below, crystal experts unpack the September birthstone’s symbolism and meaning, and why it’s particularly beneficial for Virgo and Libra babies.

Properties of the September birthstone: the magnificent blue sapphire

• Birthstone color: Blue
• Chakra: Third-eye chakra
• Origin: Varied

Sapphire is a crystalline variety of the mineral conundrum, and it comes in a wide variety of colors (except for red—that’s a ruby), but a royal-blue sapphire is most associated with the month of September, integrative medicine and crystal expert Elizabeth Trattner, AP, DOM, tells Well+Good. Blue sapphires are composed from the chemical elements of iron and titanium, and they are thought to be the most valuable of all blue-colored gemstones due to their color saturation, sparkle, and durability.

According to Dr. Trattner, the best blue sapphires can be found in India, Burma, Sri Lanka, and in the Yogo Gulch in Montana.

Birthstone meaning and symbolism of sapphire

September’s birthstone has come to symbolize our inner power, wisdom, and truth, and it is what spiritual muse and mentor Sadie Kadlec, founder of Mineral Muse and author of Crystals: Channel the Energy of Crystals for Spiritual Transformation, describes to be, in a word, prophetic. “It has a deeply reflective energy that gives insights into the future of whatever it is that you’re feeling or experience,” she says, while simultaneously offering anyone who want to channel its energetic power “the ability to receive and employ the insight for personal growth.”

Being a stone of introspection, sapphire resonates particularly with Virgo. “I think it speaks to the Virgo energy of being thoughtful and precise,” says Kadlec. “They do things with a lot of intention, and to do things with intention usually requires having that moment of pause, when you are letting your awareness guide you so you can take insightful actions.”

However, Virgos sometimes have it hard. “Virgo can be hypercritical,” she says, a quality that is in Kadlec’s opinion, attributed to “external noise.” And if they don’t live up to their own or others’ standards, Virgo might beat themselves up over it. The September birthstone can bring Virgo’s traits into balance by helping tune out the noise so they can tune into themselves. “It focuses attention so we can connect with ourselves for illumination,” says Kadlec. “Working with sapphire allows us to take a moment in silence to see what’s beneath the surface and receive the insight that helps us move into a sense of hope and excitement and surrender to the mystery of life.”

Blue sapphires may also be well-suited to Libra. As the zodiac’s social butterflies, Libras shine in social situations and because Libra is deeply concerned about fairness and justice, they take other people’s points into account, which gives them the ability to get along with just about anybody.

While these are among the Libra traits we’ve come to know and love about the sign of the scales, they can sometimes come off as indecisive because they have a tendency to weigh the pros and cons of a decision or people-please in an effort to keep the peace. “Libras are charming, loving, and have a unique way of communicating, but it’s often to avoid conflict instead of speaking from a place of authenticity,” says Kadlec. “Sapphire allows them to take time away from the external noise and think about what makes them happy for a change,” says Kadlec, which in turn, can alleviate the burnout and resentment that may come from catering to everyone else but themselves.

According to holistic health practitioner Shanise Spruill, chief wellness curator at Johari & Lou Artisan Soul Stones, sapphires also resonate with one’s inner truth. It makes sense considering that sapphire is typically associated with the third-eye chakra, which is all about intuition, discernment, and wisdom. As such, blue sapphires “restore balance where there is internal conflict, and it helps one to be decisive in their decision-making and stand firm in their truth,” says Spruill.

Overall, “the main essence of [sapphire] is about the pause and thoughtfulness we can cultivate to be open to insight and how that insight can inspire hope and excitement for all the possibilities that lay ahead of and around us,” says Kadlec.

How to harness the energetic powers of sapphire

One of the simplest ways to harness the energetic powers of a blue sapphire is through meditation—or what Kadlec refers to as a “mineral map.” You can start by placing a sapphire on your sternum, third eye, or throat, or hold it in one or both hands. With eyes closed, “pay attention to whatever is flowing through your mind and notice what’s popping up—maybe it’s something challenging or something that brings you joy,” she says. “This practice allows you to consider which of these thoughts require more insight, how the information you received can support you, or what you can release to allow you to receive insights more fully.”

Alternatives to the September birthstone

According to Spruill, those with birthdays in September can also benefit from the energetic properties of other gemstones too, including:

• Lapis lazuli: The metamorphic rock is known for its rich dark-blue hue and it is commonly linked to spiritual wisdom and knowledge. “Serving as the third-eye chakra equalizer, its energies have been associated with developing one’s natural psychic and premonition abilities,” says Spruill.

• Iolite: A variety of the mineral cordierite, iolite can come in shades of blue and violet, but it can also be completely colorless. Energetically speaking, “it’s a guiding crystal,” says Spruill. “Its healing properties and energy can help develop one’s vision of the future and provide clarity of their journey.”

• Blue topaz: With a color reminiscent of clear skies, blue topaz can “help to define your deepest thoughts,” says Spruill. “The crystal synchronizes dreams and consciousness, allowing your desires and goals to manifest into their truest forms.

What are birthstones?

Birthstones are gemstones that represent a person’s birth month or zodiac sign. Their origins are believed to trace back to biblical times, and the first-century historian Flavius Josephus associated the 12 gemstones on Aaron’s breastplate in the Book of Exodus with the months of the year and the 12 zodiac signs. However, the custom of wearing an individual gem per month didn’t begin until around the 15th or 16th century in Germany or Poland. Birthstones are also found to have origins in Eastern Culture. The Ratna Pariksha, a fifth-century Hindu text, linked specific gems to deities, celestial bodies, and days of the week, while Vedic astrologers recommend certain gems to individuals based on their astrological birth chart.

In 1912, the American Council Association of Jewelers (which is currently known as the Jewelers of America) created a standardized list of birthstones in the United States. This list was updated by the Jewelry Industry Council of America and later by The American Gem Trade Association to include new types of birthstones for certain months of the year.

An overview of the birthstones for every month of the year

Want to pick a crystal that corresponds to your birth month? Here’s a quick overview of the birthstones for every month of the year:

• January Birthstone: Garnet
• February Birthstone: Amethyst
• March Birthstone: Aquamarine and Bloodstone
• April Birthstone: Diamond
• May Birthstone: Emerald
• June Birthstone: Pearl, Alexandrite, and Moonstone
• July Birthstone: Ruby
• August Birthstone: Peridot, Spinel, and Sardonyx
• September Birthstone: Sapphire
• October Birthstone: Opal and Tourmaline
• November Birthstone: Topaz and Citrine
• December Birthstone: Tanzanite, Turquoise, and Zircon

Frequently asked questions about the September birthstone

What does the sapphire symbolize?

The blue sapphire is most commonly associated with the month of September, and it symbolizes one’s inner wisdom and truth.

Who should wear a blue sapphire?

Anyone can wear a blue sapphire, whether due to its visual appeal or its energetic properties—and if the latter, crystal experts typically say that it can benefit those who want to access their inner truth or hone their intuition.