September
September Birthstone: Sapphire, the Neelam ستمبر
In short: September's birthstone is sapphire. Blue sapphire, or Neelam, is the classic, but yellow (Pukhraj), purple, pink and white sapphire all count. It rates 9 on the Mohs scale, so a sapphire ring can be worn daily for decades. The most valued colour is a soft, velvety medium to medium-deep blue.
September's birthstone is sapphire. Most people think of blue sapphire, Neelam, but sapphire also comes in yellow (Pukhraj), purple, pink and white. At 9 on the Mohs scale it will happily take daily wear for decades, which is a big part of why it is such a popular stone for men's rings in Pakistan.
- Month
- September
- Birthstone
- Sapphire
- Urdu name
- Neelam (blue), Pukhraj (yellow)
- Colours
- Blue, yellow, purple, pink, white
- Mohs hardness
- 9
- Usual treatment
- Heating (disclosed)
On the tray today
Shop sapphire
Written by Sameer
Reviewed on
Traditional belief vs gemmology: anything on this page about luck, protection, planets, healing or religious tradition describes traditional and cultural beliefs — not proven effects, religious rulings or medical advice. A stone's identity, hardness, treatment and origin are gemmology, which a lab can test; the references at the end of the page cover that side.
Sapphire's story
Blue sapphire has been tied to kings and to wisdom for a very long time. One old Persian tale said the sky got its colour from a giant sapphire. In Vedic astrology, Neelam belongs to Saturn (Shani), and people traditionally wear it only after proper advice; our zodiac gemstones guide goes into that. As a birthstone, though, every colour of sapphire counts.
Choosing a sapphire
- Colour and depth. The prized look is a velvety medium to medium-deep blue. Very inky stones go black indoors, and pale or greyish ones cost less.
- Evenness. Look straight down through the top. You don't want obvious stripes of blue and clear.
- Clarity. Fine silk is normal in natural sapphire. Cracks you can see bring the value down.
- Treatment and origin. Most sapphires are heated, which is stable and should be disclosed. Unheated stones are rarer. Sri Lanka is a classic source, but any claim about origin needs a lab report behind it.
Browse blue sapphire, yellow sapphire (Pukhraj) and purple sapphire.
How fakes give themselves away
- Lab-grown sapphire can look perfect. Under magnification it shows curved growth lines, whereas natural sapphire shows straight colour bands.
- Surface-diffused stones only have colour in a thin skin on the outside, often darker along the facet edges.
- Blue glass has round bubbles. Blue topaz, tanzanite and iolite also get sold as Neelam from time to time.
- For any serious purchase, get a lab report. Any stone you buy from us can go to an independent lab.
Start with our first-timer's guide to Neelam and where blue sapphire comes from.
Care
Sapphire is very hard and easy to keep clean with lukewarm soapy water and a soft brush. Because it scratches other gems, store it separately. The September birthstone guide has more on colour and care.
Sapphire as a gift
A Neelam ring has long been a gift for a father, husband or brother, and a blue sapphire engagement ring is a good choice for a bride who wants colour rather than white. For a September birthday or Eid, a sapphire in any shade is something the person can wear for the rest of their life.
Buying sapphire from us
We only sell natural sapphire, never lab-grown, and the listing states any treatment we know about. Each listing is the actual stone, with its own weight and photos. Pay Cash on Delivery, check the stone in front of the rider before paying, and return it unused within 7 days if it isn't for you. Our delivery details list the timings by city.
References
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