September Birthstone : Sapphire and Kunzite
September is the month when summer's heat begins to soften, and the first hints of autumn start to appear. The birthstones of September reflect this seasonal shift — a quiet, gentle kind of beauty.
September is represented by two birthstones: sapphire and kunzite.
At L&Co, we see September's birthstones as a pairing of two different stories — one with a long and storied history, and one discovered comparatively recently. Though their backgrounds contrast sharply, both are stones with a calming, soothing presence.
The history of September's birthstones
Sapphire is counted among the world's four precious gemstones, alongside diamond, ruby, and emerald. Treasured since antiquity by clergy and royalty alike, it was long regarded as a "stone that connects to heaven." Sapphire shares the same mineral family as ruby — corundum — and in 1783 it was formally established that red corundum would be called ruby, with every other colour classified as sapphire.
Kunzite is a comparatively young gemstone, first identified in the United States in 1902. It takes its name from the gemologist George Frederick Kunz, who identified it as a variety of spodumene. Known for its soft pink hue, kunzite was added as one of Japan's official birthstones in 2021.
Sapphire, with its long history, and kunzite, discovered just over a century ago — two contrasting stories come together as the birthstones of September.
The character of the stones
Sapphire ranks 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, second only to diamond, making it well suited to jewellery worn every day. Beyond its classic blue, sapphire comes in shades of pink, yellow, and green; any colour other than blue is referred to as a "fancy colour sapphire."
Kunzite displays pleochroism, meaning its depth of colour shifts depending on the angle it's viewed from. It also has a rarer property called phosphorescence — the ability to absorb light and glow softly even in the dark. It's worth noting that extended exposure to UV light can cause its colour to fade, so a little care is needed.
Meaning and symbolism
Sapphire is traditionally associated with sincerity, integrity, success, and compassion. It's said to bring calm and clear judgement to the wearer.
Kunzite is traditionally associated with unconditional love, purity, and healing. It's said to support emotional stability and bring out a gentler side of the wearer.
The appeal of these gemstones in jewellery
Sapphire set in platinum or white gold lets its clear blue colour stand out even further. Thanks to its hardness and resistance to scratches, it's a popular choice not only for engagement rings but for jewellery worn daily.
Kunzite pairs beautifully with delicate designs that let its soft pink hue take centre stage. Given how recently it was discovered, it remains a lesser-known gemstone — a distinctive choice for anyone looking for something a little different.
L&Co Birthstone Collection
The L&Co Birthstone Collection is designed around the idea that jewellery can hold personal meaning while remaining refined and cherished for a lifetime. Available birthstones include Garnet, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Diamond, Emerald, Moonstone, Ruby, Peridot, Sapphire, Opal, Citrine, and Tanzanite — each one radiant with its own captivating brilliance. We invite you to discover the beauty of the other birthstones as well.
Craft and intention
Sapphire calls for careful evaluation of colour depth and clarity. Most sapphires on the market are heat-treated to stabilise their colour, which makes untreated stones especially rare. Kunzite requires thoughtful handling and storage, since prolonged UV exposure can cause its colour to fade.
Sapphire's deep, tranquil blue and kunzite's gentle pink — together, these two stones carry the quiet beauty of September, a month suspended between summer and autumn.