Since ancient times, people have held a special fascination for birthstones and what these gems represent. Ranging from the semi-precious (e.g. lapis lazuli and peridot) to the ultra-precious (think diamonds and emerald), there’s a birthstone associated with every month of the year. Each birthstone is believed to bring good fortune and protect the wearer from various ills.
The four types of birthstone lists
There is more than one birthstone list for each month. In fact, there are four: Traditional, Alternative, Mystical and Ayurvedic. Both the Traditional and Alternative birthstone lists were compiled by U.K.’s very own National Association of Goldsmiths. The Mystical list is loosely based on a 1,000 year old Tibetan manuscript, whilst the Ayurvedic list draws from Indian philosophy and medicine dating back to ancient India, around 1,500 B.C.
Sapphire as September’s birthstone
The National Association of Goldsmiths also lists sapphire as the birthstone for September. Popular since the Middle Ages, the stone is thought to be capable of protecting wearers from envy and harm. The gemstone’s innate qualities of transparency, constancy, and durability endear it to gemstone lovers and jewellers. Beyond the different symbolic interpretations, there is no denying that sapphire is one truly beautiful precious stone that is fit to crown any fine bespoke wedding ring or engagement ring.
Sapphire engagement rings
Sapphires offer a fresh take on the traditional engagement ring as they impart a luscious deep blue hue around the wearer’s delicate ring finger. Standout sapphire rings worn by celebrities in recent years include Princess Catherine’s famous blue sapphire engagement ring (previously worn by Princess Diana), Elizabeth Hurley’s 9-carat square-cut gift from cricket player Shane Warne, and Chloe Malle’s (daughter of acclaimed director Louis Malle) stunning vintage sapphire ring from the 1920s.
No need to limit yourself
Although most people may prefer just one type of birthstone on a single piece of jewellery, there’s no reason you can’t mix up various precious stones. For instance, you can order a customised ring encrusted with diamonds and your birthstone. Jacobs The Jewellers, one of the most recognised jewellery shops in Reading, can easily accommodate this request for you.
Birthstone jewellery in Reading
If you would like to learn more about other birthstones and what fabulous jewellery creations that can be fashioned with them, you may want to drop by a trusted jeweller and designer of bespoke wedding and engagement rings in Reading such as Jacobs.
Sources:
6 Celebrities with Stunning Sapphire Engagement Rings, Brilliant Earth
10 Most Famous Colored Gemstone Engagement Rings, International Gem Society