September Birthstone: Our Top 5 Sapphire Jewellery Pieces

September belongs to sapphire, one of the most beautiful and versatile gemstones in fine jewellery. And while that immediately brings to mind a magnificent deep blue stone, there is much more to sapphire than its famous blue hue.

Sapphires occur naturally in a wonderful spectrum of colours, and our current collection demonstrates that beautifully. Alongside classic blue sapphires, we've chosen a vibrant pink sapphire and a glorious yellow sapphire for our September edit, as well as an enchanting antique sapphire and diamond bracelet dating to around 1900.

For us, that versatility is one of the great joys of sapphire jewellery.

A sapphire can sit at the centre of an extravagant diamond cluster and command the entire room, or appear as a tiny flash of blue amongst the delicate gold filigree of an antique bracelet. It can be wonderfully traditional or unexpectedly different.

At De Bruns Antiques & Jewellery, we've spent more than 17 years working with antique, vintage and fine jewellery, and coloured gemstones remain a particular passion of ours. Our customers know us for our carefully curated gemstone rings alongside our wonderful antique gold pieces, and sapphire is a gemstone we find ourselves returning to again and again.

So, in celebration of the September Birthstone, we've selected five sapphire jewellery pieces that we think demonstrate exactly why this gemstone has remained so desirable.

And choosing just five was not easy!

Why Is Sapphire the Birthstone for September?

Sapphire is the traditional birthstone for September, an association that developed from centuries of symbolism surrounding this remarkable gemstone. Throughout history, blue sapphires have been linked with wisdom, loyalty, sincerity and faithfulness, qualities that helped make them especially significant in both personal and ceremonial jewellery.

The modern birthstone tradition developed from much older customs of associating particular gemstones with different months and symbolic meanings. By the early 20th century, standardised birthstone lists firmly established sapphire as September's gemstone, and it has remained the recognised September birthstone ever since.

Its symbolism also helps explain its enduring popularity in meaningful jewellery. Sapphire's traditional associations with loyalty and faithfulness make it particularly fitting not only for September birthdays, but also for engagement rings, anniversary jewellery and pieces chosen to mark important relationships and milestones.

Most of us immediately associate sapphire with its unmistakable blue colour, which can range from bright, lively blues to the deep, velvety shades seen in some of the most striking sapphire rings.

But one of the most interesting things about September's birthstone is that sapphire isn't exclusively blue.

Sapphire and ruby both belong to the mineral family corundum. Red corundum is classified as ruby, while sapphire occurs in a wonderful variety of other colours, including pink and yellow.

That gives those born in September considerably more choice than the traditional blue birthstone might initially suggest, and our top five sapphire jewellery pieces illustrate this perfectly.

1. An Enchanting Circa 1900 Sapphire & Diamond Filigree Bracelet

There was really only one place we could begin...

This beautiful antique sapphire and diamond bracelet, dating to circa 1900, is everything we love about antique jewellery: intricate, unusual and full of craftsmanship that deserves to be examined closely.

Crafted in 9ct Yellow Gold, which has been tested using XRF, the bracelet is formed from a sequence of finely worked oval filigree panels. Filigree is a particularly delicate form of jewellery making in which fine threads of precious metal are twisted, shaped and soldered together to produce wonderfully intricate, almost lace-like patterns.

At the centre of the panels sit alternating blue sapphires and bright diamonds, each presented within a geometric lozenge-shaped setting. The rhythm of rich blue followed by flashes of diamond creates a piece that is incredibly detailed without becoming overly ornate.

The bracelet retains the decorative character associated with late Victorian jewellery, yet its lighter, more delicate openwork hints at the elegant styles that would become increasingly prominent during the Edwardian period.

At approximately 9.5mm wide and weighing 11.5 grams, it also has a lovely presence on the wrist. Substantial enough to be noticed, yet delicate enough to retain the airy quality that makes the design so appealing.

For the woman who loves genuinely old jewellery and appreciates the workmanship behind it, this is a particularly special piece.

2. A Vibrant Pink Sapphire & Diamond Cluster Ring

Our second choice demonstrates something that surprises many people when they first begin exploring sapphire jewellery:

Sapphires aren't always blue.

This gorgeous pink sapphire and diamond cluster ring offers a completely different interpretation of September's Birthstone.

The colour is what immediately catches the eye. Vibrant and feminine without being overly sweet, the pink sapphire has a wonderful liveliness that makes this ring feel distinctive from the moment you put it on.

Surrounding the centre stone are 0.30ct of round brilliant-cut diamonds, rub-over set to create a beautifully defined cluster.

We particularly like the combination of metals here. The White Gold surrounding the gemstones provides a bright backdrop for the diamonds, while the Yellow Gold introduces warmth through the band.

Measuring approximately 12mm by 10mm across the head, this isn't a tiny ring either. It has enough coverage to look impressive on the finger while remaining elegant and extremely wearable.

For someone born in September who loves pink gemstones, or simply someone looking for a sapphire ring that is a little less expected, this is a fabulous choice.

3. The Showstopper: 3ct Blue Sapphire & 1.40ct Diamond Cluster Ring

If piece number two is pretty and unexpected, number three is pure drama.

This is sapphire jewellery with serious presence.

At the centre of this exceptional cluster ring sits a magnificent 3ct deep blue sapphire, displaying the rich, velvety colour that makes blue sapphire so captivating. Surrounding the sapphire is an extraordinary halo of round brilliant-cut diamonds totalling approximately 1.40ct. The diamonds have been arranged to create a beautiful scalloped cluster around the central stone, throwing light back towards the sapphire and emphasising the intensity of its blue.

The detailing doesn't stop at the cluster either. Additional diamonds have been delicately set into the shoulders, carrying that brilliance beyond the head of the ring and giving the entire design a wonderfully luxurious finish.

It's bold, glamorous and designed to be admired. For a significant birthday, anniversary, engagement or simply an exceptional addition to a jewellery collection, it is a true statement piece.

4. An Art Deco Yellow Sapphire & Diamond Platinum Ring

From deep blue to sunshine yellow... Our fourth selection is another wonderful example of the extraordinary variety found within the sapphire family.

This yellow sapphire and diamond ring has been crafted in Platinum in a traditional Art Deco style, and it is an absolute beauty.

The centre stone is a bright 1.30ct yellow sapphire, measuring approximately 6mm by 5mm. Its vivid colour immediately sets the ring apart, but the surrounding craftsmanship is just as important.

The yellow sapphire is framed by sparkling grain-set diamonds, with three additional diamonds positioned on either side of the head. The diamonds have a combined weight of approximately 0.30ct, creating plenty of brilliance while allowing the yellow sapphire to remain the focal point.

Beautiful hand-engraved milgrain detailing surrounds the edges, creating the delicate beaded finish so strongly associated with antique and Art Deco jewellery. It is one of those details that can easily be overlooked in photographs but makes an enormous difference to the character of a ring.

For someone who loves Art Deco jewellery but wants something outside the traditional blue sapphire palette, this is a fabulous alternative.

5. An Alternative Sapphire & Diamond Cluster Ring in 18ct Gold

Our final choice takes one of the most traditional jewellery designs, the gemstone cluster with a subtle twist.

Rather than surrounding the central sapphire exclusively with diamonds, this gorgeous sapphire and diamond cluster ring uses alternating sapphires and diamonds around its centre. The result is immediately recognisable as a classic cluster, yet noticeably different when you look more closely.

The ring contains approximately 1.70ct of sapphire in total, while each of the surrounding diamonds weighs approximately 0.20ct. Every stone is individually set into 18ct White Gold, which provides a clean, bright setting around the gemstones. This is then contrasted beautifully by the 2mm 18ct Yellow Gold shank.

This is for someone who loves the traditional sapphire and diamond combination but wants a design that is just a little different from the conventional diamond halo, this one strikes a lovely balance.

Which Sapphire Would You Choose?

Perhaps the most interesting thing about putting these five pieces together is how different they are.

One is an intricate Antique Sapphire Bracelet dating to circa 1900. Another is an unapologetically glamorous 3ct Blue Sapphire Cluster. We have Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Platinum, 9ct Gold, 18ct Gold, delicate filigree and bold diamonds...Yet they are all united by sapphire.

That diversity is exactly why we think sapphire jewellery deserves its enduring popularity.

For someone born in September, it also means birthstone jewellery needn't feel predictable. A September birthstone could be a classic blue sapphire ring, but it could just as easily be an unusual pink sapphire cluster or a wonderfully bright yellow sapphire Art Deco-style ring. The best choice is the one that suits the person who will actually wear it.

Why We Love Sapphire at De Bruns Antique Jewellery

After more than 17 years in the jewellery business, we've handled an enormous variety of gemstones and styles, but sapphire remains a firm favourite.

Part of its appeal is versatility. Part is that unmistakable colour. But we also love the way sapphire works within the kind of jewellery De Bruns is known for.

It looks magnificent beside diamonds. It works with 9ct and 18ct Yellow Gold. It sits beautifully within Platinum. And, as our circa 1900 bracelet demonstrates, it can be every bit as captivating in an intricate antique piece as it is in a spectacular gemstone ring.

Our business is online, but our approach is extremely personal. We want clients to feel confident asking questions and seeking advice, particularly when choosing jewellery for an important occasion.

For us, jewellery should never feel generic.

And these five pieces certainly don't.

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