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September Birthstone Guide: What It Is, Colour & Meaning
Your guide to the September birthstone — colour, meaning & how to wear it
If you or someone you love was born in September, you have not one but two beautiful birthstones to choose from. The traditional September birthstone is the deep-blue sapphire — one of history’s most prized gems. The modern alternative is lapis lazuli, a rich midnight-blue stone used in jewellery for thousands of years. Below you’ll find everything you need to know: what the September birthstone is, what colour it is, its meaning, and how to choose a piece you’ll wear every day.
What Is the September Birthstone?
The September birthstone is sapphire. It is one of the four precious gemstones (alongside diamond, ruby and emerald) and has been treasured by royalty and clergy for centuries. Sapphire belongs to the corundum mineral family and scores 9 out of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it one of the most durable stones you can wear.
Many modern birthstone lists also recognise lapis lazuli as an alternative September birthstone. Lapis lazuli predates sapphire as a luxury gem by thousands of years — ancient Egyptians ground it into pigment for Cleopatra’s eye shadow and used it to decorate the tomb of Tutankhamun. Today it remains one of the most striking blue stones in jewellery.
What Colour Is the September Birthstone?
The classic September birthstone colour is deep blue. Sapphires range from pale cornflower blue to rich velvety midnight blue, with the most prized examples showing a pure, saturated mid-blue. The famous sapphire engagement ring worn by Princess Diana — and now Catherine, Princess of Wales — is a deep Kashmir blue that most people picture when they think of this stone.
Lapis lazuli is an even more intense blue, typically described as royal blue or midnight blue, often flecked with gold-coloured pyrite inclusions that catch the light. Where sapphire is a single mineral (corundum), lapis lazuli is a metamorphic rock — that variation in texture is what gives each piece its unique character.
| SEPTEMBER BIRTHSTONE | COLOUR | HARDNESS (MOHS) | ORIGIN |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SAPPHIRE
Traditional
|
Cornflower to midnight blue
|
9 | Sri Lanka, Kashmir, Myanmar |
|
LAPIS LAZULI
Alternative
|
Royal to midnight blue with gold flecks
|
5 – 6 | Afghanistan, Chile, Russia |
| SEPTEMBER BIRTHSTONE | COLOUR | HARDNESS (MOHS) | ORIGIN |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SAPPHIRE
Traditional
|
Cornflower to midnight blue
|
9 | Sri Lanka, Kashmir, Myanmar |
|
LAPIS LAZULI
Alternative
|
Royal to midnight blue with gold flecks
|
5 – 6 | Afghanistan, Chile, Russia |
Sapphire — The Traditional September Birthstone
Sapphire has been the birthstone for September in every major birthstone list since the American National Association of Jewelers standardised the list in 1912. Before that, it appeared in ancient Hindu and Arabic traditions as a September stone, and medieval Europeans believed it protected the wearer from envy and attracted divine favour.
Today, sapphire is most associated with loyalty, wisdom, and truth — which is why it remains one of the most popular choices for engagement rings. A September-born person gifted with sapphire jewellery is said to carry those qualities with them.
Lapis Lazuli — The Alternative September Birthstone
If sapphire’s price point gives you pause, lapis lazuli is the perfect September birthstone alternative — and in many ways, the more historically significant stone. It has been mined in Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province for over 6,000 years, making it one of the oldest gemstones in continuous use by humanity.
Lapis lazuli is associated with inner peace, clarity, and communication. Its deep blue colour has long been linked to the heavens and higher wisdom. In crystal healing traditions, it is placed at the throat and third-eye chakras to encourage honest self-expression and intuition.
For September birthdays, lapis lazuli jewellery is a meaningful, wearable and affordable alternative to sapphire — and arguably more distinctive. Its signature midnight blue with gold pyrite flecks makes it instantly recognisable.
September Birthstone Meaning & Properties
Both September birthstones carry themes of wisdom, truth and communication — fitting for a month that marks the start of a new season and, in the Southern Hemisphere, the arrival of spring.
Wisdom & clarity
 Sapphire has been associated with the mind’s eye since antiquity. Ancient Persians believed the sky was a giant sapphire reflected in the heavens.
Loyalty & trust
The deep blue of both sapphire and lapis lazuli has symbolised faithfulness across cultures for millennia, making September birthstone jewellery a popular anniversary gift.
Calm & focus
Lapis lazuli in particular is prized for its calming energy. Many wearers describe it as grounding — a stone that quiets mental chatter and supports clear thinking.
Protection
Medieval knights wore sapphire into battle believing it would protect them. Lapis lazuli amulets were buried with pharaohs for protection in the afterlife.
Who Should Wear the September Birthstone?
Birthstone jewellery makes a meaningful gift for anyone born in September — but the September birthstone is not reserved for people born this month. It is also a popular gift for:
September Birthstone Jewellery at Serendipity
Handcrafted lapis lazuli jewellery — the alternative September birthstone — in sterling silver and gold filled.
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14k Gold Filled – Blue Core Ring
$64.99 inc. GST Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
14k Gold Filled – Chrysanthemum Necklace
Price range: $74.99 through $84.99 inc. GST Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
14k Gold Filled – Carnation Bracelet
Price range: $69.99 through $79.99 inc. GST Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Free standard shipping Australia wide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the September birthstone?
The September birthstone is sapphire, a deep-blue precious gemstone. Lapis lazuli is widely recognised as a modern alternative September birthstone, particularly for those looking for an accessible, everyday-wearable blue stone.
What colour is the September birthstone?
The September birthstone colour is deep blue. Sapphire ranges from pale cornflower blue to rich velvety midnight blue. Lapis lazuli is a royal to midnight blue, often with distinctive gold pyrite flecks.
What is the birthstone for September born?
People born in September share sapphire as their birthstone, with lapis lazuli as the modern alternative. Both stones carry themes of wisdom, loyalty and calm.
Is lapis lazuli a September birthstone?
Yes. While sapphire is the primary September birthstone, lapis lazuli is recognised as an alternative September birthstone in many modern lists. It shares the signature deep blue colour and carries similar meanings of wisdom and truth.
What is the September birthstone for Virgo?
Virgo birthdays fall between 23 August and 22 September. The Virgo birthstone is sapphire, shared with the September birthstone list. Lapis lazuli and peridot are also associated with Virgo in crystal healing traditions.
What is the difference between sapphire and lapis lazuli?
Sapphire is a single-mineral gemstone with a Mohs hardness of 9 — extremely durable and brilliant. Lapis lazuli is a metamorphic rock with a hardness of 5–6. Sapphire is significantly more expensive; lapis lazuli offers a rich, distinctive blue at an accessible price point, making it ideal for everyday jewellery.