Are you looking for a ring that doesn’t fall under the strict definition of a traditional engagement ring? Well, a sapphire engagement ring can bring an end to your search. Of all the things Late Princess Diana of the British royal family is known for, her sapphire engagement ring has stolen the most limelight. Still today the ring makes the headlines whenever Kate Middleton wears it in public.
If you also want this regal gemstone to grace the finger of your loved one, here is a quick guide for you.
What Is Sapphire?
There are many minerals on our planet and one such mineral is corundum. This mineral, when faceted to bring out the desired optical properties, is called sapphire. In its pure form corundum is colorless (white sapphire) but when it’s infused with other minerals such as iron, titanium, chromium, etc. during the formative period inside the earth, the result is colored sapphires.
In blue sapphires, iron & titanium are present in trace quantities whereas in yellow sapphires only iron is present. Likewise variations of such ‘impurities’ render sapphires their enigmatic colors. In addition to offering a wide color palette, sapphires also present an affordable alternative to diamonds. And who doesn’t like a pop of color if it doesn’t hit the pocket?
Sapphire is the birthstone for the September born and it is also a 45th anniversary stone.
Pros & Cons of Sapphire Engagement Rings
One of the most fascinating facts about sapphire engagement rings is that you can get yours in almost any color you want except red (since red corundum is called ruby). Now that can be a disadvantage too if you get confused by seeing so many colors such as blue, yellow, white, pink, teal, brown, or even black. By the way, black sapphire is not exactly black but extremely dark blue.
From the British royal jewels to Victoria Beckham, blue sapphires have been the apple of the eye of many celebrities and masses alike though its sibling the Padparadscha sapphire is much rarer. Again, it was a member of the British royal family Princess Eugenie who brought quite a lot of recognition to this delicate salmon-pink variety by choosing a padparadscha sapphire ring for her engagement. Now if you want to emulate royals or any celebrity, then you might come across some difficulty in finding a truly rare sapphire of size for your sapphire engagement ring.
Let’s now talk about the price of a sapphire engagement ring which in my opinion is an advantage. Sapphire has an incredibly large price range. You can get it from as low as $500 per carat to maybe $5000 per carat depending on the 4 Cs, rarity, and the origin of the stone. Remember the price doesn’t move in a linear way meaning the price per carat increases significantly as the size increases. Nevertheless, sapphire engagement rings present an affordable option for diamond rings, especially with fancy-color diamonds. You have the leverage to not only pick your favorite color but also stay within budget if you choose to buy a sapphire engagement ring.
What to Look for in a Sapphire Engagement Ring
Are you now feeling motivated to purchase a sapphire engagement ring? Here are answers to some of the most pertinent questions surrounding your decision.
What is the single most important factor for buying sapphire? If your buying decision were to rest on one single factor, then it would be the color of your gemstone. An optimum color depth (neither too dark nor too light) and an even saturation are something that you should keep on top of. Also, bear in mind that untreated sapphires are costlier than heated sapphires. Moreover, the origin of a gemstone also has an effect on its price; so unless you are willing to pay a premium for a specific origin, don’t worry too much about it.
Which shape of sapphire should I choose for my engagement ring? Sapphires come in a whole lot of cuts and shapes such as round, oval, cushion, emerald, asscher, pear, square, heart, marquise, trillion, cabochon, etc. The design of your ring will be greatly affected by the shape you select. Whatever shape you choose, make sure that it is symmetrical from all angles. A symmetrical gem, that doesn’t have any apparent flat spots, will bring out the beauty of your sapphire engagement ring to its fullest.
Which metal and setting should I choose for my engagement ring?
Gold used in jewelry is an alloy because it’s not used in its pure form due to high malleability. The other metals (copper, nickel, zinc, silver) in 14k or 18k gold might cause allergy if you are susceptible. Therefore, the first parameter to consider is your resilience. The second is your skin tone. Select a classic gold, rose gold, platinum, palladium, or silver for your sapphire engagement ring based on the match. The third important factor would be to create a contrast between the color of your sapphire and the metal of your ring to bring out the ‘pop’ of color.
Once you take care of the above three aspects, your sapphire engagement ring will look amazing in any setting. If you like the minimalist look, then go for a solitaire setting, but if you prefer flamboyance, then you have a number of options – halo setting, designer setting, pave setting, and so on.
Is Sapphire strong enough because I’ll wear my ring every day?
Yes. Sapphire is a pretty hard gemstone and is almost impervious to scratches and abrasions. That is the reason why big brands such as Hublot. Greubel Forsey, MB&F, H. Moser, Rolex, Citizen, Timex, etc. use sapphire cases for their watches. It’s another fact that those cases are made from what is called ‘industrial sapphire’. Gem-quality sapphires are way superior and should not be compared with industrial sapphires. Just to give the perspective sapphires, whether natural or otherwise, score 9 on the 10-point Mohs scale of hardness. So, you can wear your sapphire engagement ring every day without any worry.
Is the origin of a sapphire gemstone really important?
As a consumer, you should not be too concerned about the origin of a sapphire as long as you get what you seek. But you must know that the origin does exert influence on the price of a gemstone. For example, sapphires from Kashmir, India, are the most coveted ones for their silky velvety appearance. Kashmir sapphires are no longer available in the market because those mines have long been depleted. Sri Lanka and Myanmar now have the reputation of producing good quality sapphires.
Is there a DIY method for cleaning & maintaining my sapphire ring?
Yes. You can easily maintain your sapphire engagement ring by yourself. First of all, you need to store it separately (in case you take it off) from other jewelry items particularly diamonds, to avoid scratching. Take off your ring if you are to do gardening or any such activity that might add to the build-up on your ring. When your ring appears greasy, clean it with a gentle solution of lukewarm water and soap, then rinse & dry.
If you want to symbolize your promise with a magnificent sapphire engagement ring, then here are our top five picks for you to consider.
Most Relevant: Choose Loose Sapphires And Create Stunning Engagement Rings
