Sapphires, the September birthstone, are a type of corundum and with a Mohs hardness of 9, it is second in hardness only to diamond. Even though we are mostly familiar with blue sapphires, they can come in every color of the rainbow except for red, which is known as a ruby. Sapphires have been popular since the Middle Ages and, according to folklore, will protect your loved ones from envy and harm. Medieval clergy wore sapphires to symbolize heaven, while commoners thought the gem attracted heavenly blessings. Blue sapphires range from very light to very dark green-blue or violet-blue, as well as various shades of pure blue. The most prized colors are a medium to medium dark blue or slightly violet-blue. Ruby is the red variety of corundum. Sapphires are many-colored, so each hue boasts its own properties. However, the connecting thread is this: Sapphires as a whole are powerfully connected with the Third Eye, encouraging higher intuition, serenity, and all-around good vibes. The gemstone of creative expression and inner peace and meditation, the Sapphire also aids in personal expression and the alleviation of pain. Also known as the “wisdom stone” it focuses and calms the mind. Sapphires can be found all over the world from Burma, Sri Lanka and Australia to Montana.