Sapphire: September's Birthstone

I have to admit, I am usually not into birthstones.  Probably because I do not like mine very much, just not a big fan of turquoise or topaz, they just don't call to me. 

However, this month, September, has a fabulous birthstone: Sapphire.

I know what you're thinking: Blue. 

Yes, sapphire is most commonly seen as that wonderful deep blue gemstone.  One of the most famous being Princess Diana's sapphire engagement ring -- don't get me wrong, it was lovely, but a bit large for my tastes.

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As I understand, the ring is now being worn by Kate Middleton, Prince William's lovely bride.  However, I am not a big follower of royalty, so that could be totally wrong.

But Sapphire, though so often thought of as just blue, comes in a wonderful variety of colors, shades, and even a funky similar stone, called Star Sapphire.

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Really, the colors are just about endless.  Personally I like the purple/pink hues.  But, my mother enjoys the yellow hues. I usually buy the blue stones for the shop--but that is more out of habit than anything. 

Sapphire is also a wonderfully tough stone -- it's up there on the Mohs scale near diamond on hardness, meaning even the natural stones, those that are untreated make a wonderful briolette for jewelry designers to work with and not worry as much about the briolette breaking.

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But the fun kicks in with looking at stones, when you start reading about their metaphysical properties.

Since sapphire belongs to the family of the four most precious stones in the world (the others being, of course: diamond, ruby and emerald) it has a long history for people talking about the metaphysical properties.

Some of the more common properties are, protection, prophetic wisdom, and safety on journeys.  Plus, they are shiny and blue.

I admit it, I am a little jealous of my sister, who is lucky enough to have this birthstone.  But, maybe I will be lucky and find out turquoise and topaz have some cool meanings I am overlooking.

Tell me in the comments what you think of September's Birthstone.

The Sun is out, and well, it's pretty hot...

OMG, what a summer it has been -- I mean roller-coaster hot weather,  a shocking minor surgery, job search, job search, job search.  I have barely had time to look at my jewels let alone make the new ones I have had designed in my head for months now.

I have done a lot of soul searching in the midst of my insane couponing to make ends meet this year off (not by choice, mind you) and I keep seeing "if you don't love it, don't chase after it."  That really resonates with me as the summer winds down and I get ready to send the hellions (I mean my wonderful, darling children) back to school.  (Will that day ever really come?  I am one terrible stay-at-home mom.).

I keep thinking about my jobs I have done -- you know, in PR, Marketing, etc.  And while I like it enough to get out of bed with a smile on every morning  there are really two places in those job descriptions I love:

1) Research.   I am really more of a balanced individual when I research almost anything.  The last year I spent a lot of time researching theory of leadership as it relates to the military rank structure and how the federal government hires who they hire and why -- plus the impact those things have on current operations during the pending draw-down.   I know I know, from a stay at home mom/ jewelry designer who is really bad about updating her store and blog.  Makes absolutely no sense, right?  But, it makes my blood really move with passion when I look into not only what is going on, but how to make it better, ya know?

2) Relationship Building.   I love to build community and relationships online and offline.  There can be no real reason for a relationship to form -- for example, one of my neighbors who is also unemployed during the 'recession' (let's be honest, this really is a depression that has been faked to look like a lingering 'recession') is also suddenly into couponing to make ends meet.  So who was the first person I told about the insane deal on Vitamin Water I found (after my mom)...the neighbor lady in the same situation as me.

Now -- what does this have to do with jewelry making?  Absolutely nothing, I just thought maybe I would open up a bit and give a glimpse of my real personality. Which, by the way, is a bit neurotic.

But, the sun is out -- its not as warm today...so finally I got off my but, out of my room, left the fan for a few minutes and didn't break out a single coupon to take some pictures of some new and older jewels.  They are up on the site now, after I showed my kiddos how to take close ups and edit in Picasa, you know so I can pay them to take pictures later on in the year.

Yeah, it's a family thing, this Etsy thing.