Sapphire Rings

Characteristics of Sapphires

The name ‘sapphire’ hails from the Greek word ‘sappheiros,’ which means ‘blue.’ This bespoke gemstone is known for its brilliant blue colour, but as new types of sapphires were discovered, these stones can range from blue to yellow and even pink.

Sapphires are formed beneath the surface of the earth. They require intense heat and pressure to form, starting as colourless crystals and gaining their colour from traces of other minerals, including corundum. This is why sapphires are in the corundum family, alongside rubies.

Sapphires have better clarity than rubies, but can range from transparent to opaque. The more transparent the sapphire, the more valuable it is. Sapphires can come with a range of inclusions, including:

• Mineral crystals
• Feathers
• Silk (fine needles in the stone)
• Colour zoning
• Partially-healed breaks

Inclusions can impact the value of the sapphire, with more inclusions lowering the stone’s value in most cases. Some sapphires, such as ones from Kashmir, can have silk inclusions that make them appear ‘velvety’ and actually increase their value. These stones make beautiful sapphire engagement rings.

Where Can You Find a Natural Sapphire?

Natural sapphire deposits can be found in:

• Sri Lanka
• Madagascar
• Myanmar
• Thailand
• Australia
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Nepal
• The United States
• China
• Kashmir
• Burma

Where your sapphire is mined will influence its brilliance, inclusions, and other qualities, as each location has its own unique chemical properties and variations that add beauty to the ring..

Sapphire Colours for Jewellery

While the sapphire is best known for its brilliant blue colour, the blue sapphire isn’t the only hue this corundum can appear in. Sapphires are dichroic stones, which means their shade and hue will vary from the angle of the viewer, but this mostly applies to blue sapphires. This is why how the stone is cut is incredibly important, because the cut of the gem can influence its vibrancy once it is set in jewellery.

The blue sapphire comes in many variations: ice blue, teal, and cornflower blue. The darker and more vibrant the colour blue is on the stone, the greater its value. This is why blue sapphire rings are popular for British royalty and other elite figures. 

Many favour the white sapphire when selecting a sapphire for jewellery, such as pendants, necklaces, earrings, and rings. This sapphire has a white colour because it is devoid of the presence of any other mineral or element. Because of this, it is also known as the ‘colourless sapphire’ and is extremely rare. This stone is often used in place of a diamond in luxury jewellery, making it perfect for engagement and wedding rings.

Another stunning sapphire colour is the pink sapphire. The pink sapphire comes in a range of hues, from pale rose to magenta. This gemstone is perfect for jewellery that demands a feminine flair and sophistication, and due to its price point, is often used in sapphire rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and more.

The yellow sapphire is best known for its rich, gold colour. The most popular shade of yellow sapphire is bright canary yellow, which is stunning on gold necklaces or other gold jewellery.

Other less-common colours for sapphire gemstones include purple, green, and Padparadscha. Padparadscha is a blend of pink and orange hues and was first introduced into the world of engagement rings when Princess Eugenie wore a Padparadscha sapphire engagement ring. Any color of sapphire can be used for bespoke engagement rings and wedding rings. It’s always about choosing the ring and stone that speaks to you.

Sapphire Engagement Rings

With sapphire jewellery, you have more options to customise your dream ring for your engagement or wedding. Sapphire jewellery comes in a wide variety of colours and hues, can be cut into many desired shapes, and looks stunning with a variety of metals, ranging from gold to platinum rings.

A sapphire is only second to diamond on the Mohs scale, making it an extremely durable and strong choice for everyday jewellery. This is why a sapphire ring is the perfect choice for engagement rings and wedding rings.

When selecting an engagement ring, it’s important to plan beyond the special moment on your wedding day or engagement–this is timeless jewellery that must represent your loved one and be versatile enough for all of life’s special moments. Sapphire rings pair well with other fine jewellery, such as diamond bracelets, Australian sapphire pendants, and teal sapphire earrings.

You can pair your sapphire ring with other sapphire engagement jewellery as well. Imagine the look on your loved one’s face when you present them with a stunning sapphire ring with a pair of sapphire earrings or a sapphire bracelet to accompany it. They will have a memorable, full set of bespoke jewellery ready for your new life together.

Is a Sapphire Ring Expensive?

The cost of a sapphire on its own can vary greatly, ranging from $39 AUD to more than $17,300 per carat. The cost of the stone of the ring itself depends on its carat weight, colour, clarity, and cut. 

When looking into the costs of rings, whether it’s a ring for an upcoming engagement or a new band for a wedding anniversary, the metal and detailing can incur additional costs. Yellow or white Gold bands can range in price depending on their karat weight, just like a sapphire.

When selecting a sapphire for jewellery pieces, especially rings, colour will have the greatest impact on the price ring. The most valuable sapphire will have a deep blue colour. The cut of the sapphire will also impact its brilliance, so choosing a sapphire with an oval, round, or cushion cut will improve the appearance of colour when it is set in your rings.

What to Look for When Buying Sapphire Rings

Bear in mind that this gemstone will be the centre of your symbol of love, so as you shop and view our collection, look for a sapphire that has:

• Vibrant colour–without any dull or washed-out areas
• The colour you desire–’cornflower blue’ is the most sought-after colour for rings
• Transparency–sapphires that are opaque hold lower value
• Limited inclusions–most inclusions are distracting and can impact the integrity of the sapphire
• Oval cut and cushion cut sapphires–these rings display the gem’s brilliance best

Always choose a cut that prioritises maximising brilliance over carat weight!

Check more about how much should a guy spend on an engagement ring.