The Unexpected Palette of September’s Sapphire
Beyond Blue
When most people hear “sapphire,” their minds immediately picture a classic royal navy. And to me, classic blue sapphire has always felt utterly royal, carrying that timeless, stately elegance of Princess Diana or Queen Elizabeth. But nature rarely works in single shades, and at the bench, neither do I.
As September arrives, bringing crisp autumn air and a shift toward richer colors, I’m shining a light on this iconic birthstone. Beyond its famous royal heritage, sapphire holds a surprising and vibrant secret: it comes in virtually every color of the rainbow. And, sapphires paired with 14k yellow gold is one of my favorite materials to work with in the studio.
The Resilience at the Bench
From a metalsmithing perspective, sapphire is a dream. Boasting a 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, it is exceptionally resilient. Beyond its durability, what I love most is its tolerance for heat. Whether I’m working with rich blue, fiery red, or pure white sapphires, they can stand up to the intense heat of my torch during soldering. That toughness allows me to build organic, intricate settings around them without fear, bridging raw durability with high elegance.
And while sapphire carries that aristocratic lineage, it’s also remarkably wild and accessible.
You don't have to look to a royal vault for extraordinary stones—you can literally go rock hunting for them right here in the American West, in the riverbeds of Montana.
A Custom design: Kendra’s Rainbow
One of my absolute favorite custom projects at the studio came from this exact wild variety. Back in 2023, Kendra Miller—a DirtFish rally driving instructor with an amazing eye for detail—came to me with a personal treasure. Over time, she had gathered a complete spectrum of sapphires, collecting individual stones in every imaginable hue.
Together, we designed a custom necklace featuring eight of her different colored sapphires. Balancing those vibrant, multi-colored gems against my hand-textured metal to mirror her style was an unforgettable process. It was proof that sapphires don't just belong in traditional settings—they can tell a fierce, colorful story about who you are.
Nature’s Spectrum: Steel Blues to Deep Violets
Every hue tells a different story depending on how we frame it in the design:
Montana Steel Blues: Sourced from riverbeds out West, these gems are famous for their stormy blue-grey and teal undertones. They capture the quiet color of mountain streams and morning mist. Set in our hand-hammered gold bezels, they offer a grounded, subtle elegance meant for every day.
Velvet Purples: Far rarer and deeply captivating, purple sapphires range from soft lavender to rich violet. Set against oxidized silver or accented with gold, they bring an intuitive, unexpected pop of color that instantly draws the eye.
The Alchemy of Contrast
For me, jewelry design is all about balance. I love juxtaposing the brilliant clarity and hardness of a sapphire with my signature organic metal textures—hammered gold, hand-embossed silver, and rich patinas. The interplay between the sleek, polished stone and the weathered warmth of the metal gives each piece a modern heirloom quality.
Historically revered as gems of wisdom, clarity, and protection, sapphires are so much more than a September birthstone—they are talismans for strength as you navigate a new season.
Discover Your Shade
Whether you're celebrating a September milestone, dreaming up your own custom palette, or simply drawn to the striking depth of these stones, our current collection features hand-curated sapphire pieces ready to wear.
Shop my collection of Sapphire here
Want to hold these stones up to the light or design a custom piece around your own story? Stop by the North Bend studio storefront or schedule an appointment with me for your next custom design!
