Sapphire vs. Diamond Engagement Rings: A Buying Guide to Ring Styles, Color Options, Quality, Custom Made, Settings and Costs
Article by Freelance Writer, February 23, 2021 in Bridal Jewelry
Guide to Choosing Sapphire Engagement Ring Stone: Something Blue
Sapphires are both traditional and colorful gem choices for an custom made engagement ring. You can add that 'something old' or 'something new' but what will really impress the brides need for 'something blue.' Sapphires are rare, beautiful, durable � and can be expensive. When you�re looking for sapphire engagement ring stones, you need to know about its visual and physical properties, grading, and color options.
Get
to Know The Moh's Hardness Scale
Not
all birthstones are durable enough for every wear, but we will help you find the gem that best suits your
budget and style. The Mohs
Hardness Scale measures the hardness of a gemstone on a scale of 1-10. The
hardness rating of a gemstone measures its resistance to being scratched.
Unless you only plan to wear your engagement ring on special occasions, it's
best to choose the stone on the higher end of the Mohs Hardness Scale for a
long lifespan. Because engagement rings are usually worn every day, the
durability of the stone is important factor to consider. Both diamonds and
sapphires can take the heat, though. Diamonds are rated 10 out of 10 on the
Mohs hardness scale, while sapphires are rated a 9. Sapphires are one of the hardest stone just behind diamonds, making
them amongst the most durable of all the colored gemstones. Less
harder stones may look beautiful, but they may not last as long as your
love. Which explains why we see so many sapphire engagement
rings on the market.
Diamonds,
the hardest stone in the world, traditional, forever, a girl's best friend, etc.
- which is why they are so popular for engagement rings. But what if you
are looking beyond a diamond for a gemstone that will last a lifetime? Our
experts are here to help you find the gem that is both beautiful and
durable enough for daily wear.
Sapphires That Aren't Blue?
Sapphires are found in different shade of blue colors, from the sky blue to the royal blue to the inky navy. Any blue sapphire engagement ring is sure to become an timeless classic. However, sapphires also come in every color of rainbow, except red, which are called ruby.
Blue is the most highly sought-after color of sapphire and is bar far the most poular color of this gemstone. If you want a sapphire engagement ring but would prefer another color rather than popular blue (or something less expensive), consider a fancy sapphire engagement ring stone. Of these, pink and yellow sapphires are considered as the most expensive.
Sapphire VS. Diamond Engagement
Rings: What You Need To Know
Like
other jewelry, the price for an engagement ring depends on the design and
style of the ring you prefer, whether it contains a gemstone or diamond.
The price of the colored gemstone depends on the quality of the gem.
Diamonds are graded by their carat weight, color, clarity, and cut (also
known as GIA 4Cs). Other gemstones, such as sapphires, rubies, and emeralds are graded by different factors.
You may choose a jewelry because of a family tradition, prefer a unique
personal style, want socially responsible features (e.g., a ring style that is not
associated with blood diamonds or mercury-free ethical gold), to fit your budget and style. Manmade stones and
diamond substitutes such as czs are also popular choices for couples who desire socially
responsible materials and lower cost while achieving the
same appearance.
The
idea that a man should spend three month salary for an engagement ring
originated from De Beers marketing campaigns in the 20th
century in order to sell more diamonds.
3 Months Salary for an Engagement Ring?
There is no doubt that diamonds and
sapphire look beautiful together in Princess Di engagement ring or with diamond
side stones! 3 month salary for a solitaire diamond ring ... sapphires also
tend to more affordable than diamonds. On average, a one-carat sapphire will
cost less than diamonds. The average price of a sapphire gemstone is $1,000 per
carat, which be much less than what you would spend on a diamond.
Colorless white sapphires are often
used as a diamond substitute in engagement rings due to their lack of color and
lower price than diamonds. Blue is the best-known color, but natural fancy
sapphires also come in yellow, purple, orange, and green colors. Sapphires also
tend to more affordable than diamonds.
In most cultures, the engagement
ring is worn on left hand's ring finger. People used to believe that a vein of
love ... today diamonds are popular, but sapphires were commonly used in the
early royal engagement rings and tend to be more affordable than diamonds.
Sapphire is the traditional birthstone for September
and the gem to celebrate 45th anniversary.
Sapphire Engagement Rings: Old-World Romance
Sapphires have long been popular as engagement ring stones among nobility, royalty and celebrities. While still a poor soldier, Napoleon bought an expensive ring for Josephine with an inverted pear-cut sapphire and an upright pear-cut diamond, each stone of one carat in size. This ring style, known as 'Toi et Moi, and was very popular during the 18th century.
Kate Middleton�s engagement ring features an oval 18-ct Ceylon sapphire surrounded by a halo of diamonds. Prince William, proposed with her mother's ring, Princess Diana. It has become one of the most famous engagement rings in the world. Other celebrities with notable sapphire engagement rings include Penelope Cruz and Elizabeth Hurley.
Where Do Sapphires Come From?
The gemstones are found in many parts of the
world. Madagascar, Australia, Ceylon all mine high-quality sapphires
and Montana sapphires from the United States are growing in popularity as well,
thanks to famous Tiffany gemologist. Kashmir sapphires are the most
desirable but can only be found in high end jewelry auctions like Sotheby's,
Christies, etc.
Although sapphires are found all over the world, their origins can dramaticall change the prices. The most important mines include Kashmir, Myanmar (or Burma), Sri Lanka (or Ceylon), Thailand, Australia, Madagascar, and Montana.
These mines are so well-known for mining high quality sapphires that any sapphires from these mines have a certain price-tag. However, not all of the sapphires from these mines are high quality stones.
US consumers who want local, ethically sourced, untreated sapphires (usually less than a carat) can pick stones from Montana. These display beautiful 'cornflower' blue color even without heat treatment.
How to Buy a Sapphire Engagement Ring Stone
Sapphire engagement rings prices can change dramatically according to the quality of sapphires set within it. Our sapphire buying guide includes the Four Cs of gemstone grading � color, clarity, cut, and carat.
Color
Color is the the most important aspect of the sapphire. High quality blues should have a violetish blue hue.
Color Zoning
Sapphires often show color zones with bands of dark and light blue.
Table
If a stone is cut too shallow, light will leak out of the table instead of bouncing off the stone facets and returning to the viewer eye.
Clarity
Sapphires usually have eye-visible inclusions. These are cracks, small crystals, and even liquids and gasses trapped inside the stone that you can see with naked-eye.
Cut
Some sapphires, especially star sapphires and stones with good color but low clarity, are often cut as cabochons. However, for engagement rings, sapphire are often cut in different shapes.
Carat
Sapphire price per carat can change dramatically for over one carat stones..
What Affordable Options for Sapphire Engagement Ring Stones?
Traditional blue sapphires, from rich royal blue and velvetty to cornflower blue, demand premium prices. Even heat-trearted stones with these rich blue colors tend to be expensive, especially in large sizes.
Lab-Made Sapphires
Lab-made sapphires will have the same look to the naked eye as natural stones, but will be less expensive.
Should I Consider A Synthetic Sapphire?
We do not recommend. Synthetic sapphires work
well in industrial applications and watches, but they should not be the center
stone of a ring. Synthetic sapphires have a color that makes them look
truly fake, more like bling costume jewelry than the real thing.
We only use the highest quality sapphires
in our custom engagement rings here at Sndgems.com so we never work with
synthetic gemstones - especially when it comes to birthstone sapphires. There
is such a wide range of natural and heat-treated sapphire options in the
market to choose from that we can easily source a beautiful stone for
almost any budget.
What Are Acceptable Sapphire Treatments?
As you begin to research for sapphires on
google you will start to see the term treatment come up a lot. Usually,
these are heat treatments to improve the color and clarity of the stone. Heat
treatments never wear off or fade away and their improvements are considered
permanent in the industry.
Typically, sapphires are either treated or
untreated and the history of the stone should be clearly stated when you
purchase it. High-quality untreated stones are very rare than their
treated counterparts and also much more expensive.
What Enhancements Should You Avoid
Many gemstones receive treatments or enhancements of various types. For sapphires, for example, heating is a common and accepted practice. Untreated sapphires are very rare. Avoid buying fracture-filled and lattice diffusion treated stones.
Engagement Ring Settings
Rared at 9 on the Mohs mineral scale of hardness, sapphires can resist scratching better than all other natural gemstones except diamonds. They also do not have cleavage and can have a strong tenacity, which means they also resist breakage from impacts.
How Should You Care For A Saphire Engagement Ring?
Caring for your ring requires special
attention but will help ensure that it lasts a lifetime. Wash it regularly with
warm soapy water and a toothbrush and take it your jeweler once or twice a year
for a deep clean and checking of prongs. Remember to remove it every night
before going to bed and take it off before showers, swimming, and active lifestyle activities
as well.
Caring for Your Sapphire Engagement Ring
Sapphire gemstone, is part of the
mineral corundum, consisting of aluminum oxide with trace
amounts of elements such as iron, titanium, chromium
or vanadium. Although blue is the best-known color, but natural fancy
sapphires also come in pink, yellow, purple, orange, and green colors. Red
color stones also occur but are known as rubies not
sapphires. Pink stones may be called either as ruby or
sapphire depending on the mine. Throughout the history, sapphires are
cut and polished into gemstones and used in jewelry. They
are created synthetically in labs for industrial or decorative
purposes in watches. While diamonds are rated 10 on Mohs hardness scale,
sapphires are rated a 9. Though sapphires are almost as durable as diamonds,
they still require special care, as their crystal surfaces are prone to
scratching and abrasion. Unless you only plan to wear your engagement ring on
special occasions, it's best to choose a stone on high-end of Mohs scale for
long lifespan ring! A sapphire may require more frequent polishing and
sometimes re-cutting due to scratching and abrasions.
As sapphires are as durable as
diamonds, a genuine sapphire engagement ring made with heat-treated sapphires
requires no special care. But can be scratched by other pieces of jewelry -
especially those containing diamonds - so ideally the ring should be stored in
a protected pouch or box. As with most other types of engagement rings and
wedding bands, it is best to remove sapphire rings before swimming or doing
dishes.
The Most Famous Sapphires in the World:
James Hill Kashmir Pendant:
Owned by railroad mogul James J. Hill in the late 19th century, this 22-carat sapphire surrounded by diamonds is a perfect example of a unique blue Kashmir sapphire with its velvety luster.
Rockefeller Sapphire:
The Rockefeller sapphire was owned by John D. Rockefeller Jr.. It is believed that the sapphire stone was acquired from the Indian Maharaja Osman Ali Khan, the last Nizam of Hyderabad, in 1934. The 62 carat gemstone is internally flawless and retains a deep cornflower blue.
Stuart Sapphire:
Part of the Brtish Crown Jewels of Queen Elizabeth II, this sapphire was originally bought by Robert II of the House of Stuarts in the 14th century. The Stuart sapphire is set on the crown band, weighing 104 carats with a cabochon-cut. It is one of the most historically known sapphires.
Logan Blue Sapphire:
Named after Mrs. John A. Logan after it was donated to the Smithsonian Institute, this cushion-cut sapphires was mined in Sri Lanka. Weighing 423 carats with no internal inclusions, it is the second largest sapphire in the world.
Queen Marie of Romania Sapphire:
The 478 carat, cornflower blue sapphire was Cartiers famous jewel at the 1920 Exhibition in Spain. It was appreciated by royalty from all over the world. Prince Ferdinand bought the sapphire pendant for his mother, Queen Marie of Romania, which she later worn to his coronation in 1920s.
Blue Giant of the Orient:
At 466 carats, the Blue Stone is the largest cut sapphire in the world. The gemstone first made headlines in Sri Lanka in early-1900s but disappeared for almost a century until it was fpund recently. It is often called a Kashmir sapphire not because of its Indian origin but its unique corn flower blue that resembles the finest sapphires in the world.
Bismarck Sapphire Necklace:
The 98 carat sapphire necklace is a perfect example of Art Deco design. It is accented with diamonds and sapphires and delicately set in platinum . This Cartier necklace was acquired by the American socialite Bismarck who married Count Eduard Bismarck in the late 1930s.
Star of India:
The Star of India is one of the biggest sapphires in the world at 563 carats. It was given to the American Museum of Natural History by J.P. Morgan in the early 20th century. In 1964, the sapphire was stolen from the Museum and found in a Miami locker several months later.
Royal Sapphire Engagement Ring:
This most popular royal engagement ring was first worn by Princess Diana. It was purchased from Garrard Jewelers and has made blue sapphire and diamond halo engagement ringss popular, rest is history. Prince William proposed with his mother�s ring to Kate Middleton as a commemorative and romantic gesture.
Diamonds are by far the most popular choice for
engagement rings since De Beers marketing campaigns. A large single diamond
solitaire rings are most common setting for engagement rings, which was
popularized by Tiffany & Co. in 1880s and its four-prong setting design continues be
popular with today's modern brides. The most popular cut for an engagement
ring is the round brilliant cut, which achieves the maximum amount of
sparkle. Also popular
are three stone engagement rings with side stones. These rings usually have a
single large diamond set in the center and smaller diamonds on the sides. The
three diamonds or colored gemstones on the ring are believed to
symbolize the couple's past, present, and future.
In
many cultures, the engagement ring is worn on the fourth finger of your left hand. In ancient
times, people used to believe that a vein from this finger ran directly to the
heart.
There's no doubt that diamonds are by far the
most popular center stone choice for engagement rings today, but before
diamonds became a traditional choice rubies, emeralds and sapphires were common
choice for center stones. Sapphires are the most popular of all three precious
gemstones.
Both stones have their advantages and
disadvantages and often the choice simply comes down to your personal
preference - budget and style. If you are thinking between the two, this
sapphire vs. diamond engagement rings article has everything you
need to know.
Sapphire vs. Diamond
Engagement Rings Hardness -
Our Experts Pick: Diamonds
Need
to Watch Your Budget
Women love fancy engagement rings. Cost should
usually play an important role in the engagement ring process. As you
already know by now, sapphire engagement rings are more affordable than those
with diamond center stones.
Of course, diamonds and sapphires both come in
a wide range of prices depending on their size, shape, cut, depth of color,
quality, and many more. On average, though, a one-carat sapphire tends to
cost less than a one-carat diamond.
Blue sapphires are by far the most expensive
color because they are the most sought after, especially after Princess Diana's
sapphire ring, now worn by Kate Middleton. Likewise, the more brilliant and
deep the color is, the more expensive it will be. As with all gemstones,
sapphires go down in price as they decline in quality and get smaller,
cloudier, or both.
Sapphire vs. Diamond
Engagement Rings Cost - Our Experts Pick: Sapphire
Need
to Pay Attention to Color
Colorless diamonds are the most popular choice
for engagement rings, but many brides-to-be do not even know that they actually
come in a variety of colors. You can get a diamond in any shade of the rainbow.
Many
couples tend to think of sapphires as the color blue, and the most
popular blue sapphire engagement ring in the world has to be Princess
Diana, now worn by Kate Middleton, with its vibrant deep-blue velvety
tone. But did you know that sapphires come in almost every color?
While blue is by far
the most popular sapphire shade, the Gemological Institute of America
expert say that the stone also comes in - violet, green, yellow, peach,
orange, pink, purple, lavender and in between hues. Some sapphire stones
display the phenomenon known in the industry as color change,
usually going from blue in daylight or room lighting to purple under
incandescent light. Sapphires can even be gray, black, white or brown.
The only hue that sapphires do not come
in is red. Sapphire and ruby are part of same corundum mineral and red corundum
is actually called ruby instead. With the exception of the trace elements that give them their
color, the scientific make-up of both rubies and sapphires is exactly the same.
Winner of Sapphire vs. Diamond
Engagement Rings Color - Our Experts Pick: Sapphire
Something
old, Something new, Something borrowed, Something blue
Every
bride-to-be knows about the old tradition 'Something old, Something new,
Something borrowed'. You can add that 'something blue' to any wedding.
Originating from an Old British rhyme, it has become customary that brides
carry objects to bring good luck on their wedding day.
Winner Sapphire vs. Diamond
Engagement Rings Legends - Our Experts Pick: Sapphire
Personal
Style
Sapphires are a great alternative birthstone
option for brides who prefer an engagement ring to stand out from the crowd and
that represents a unique personal because they are much less common than
diamond rings. The vibrant blue sapphires are eye-catching, especially when
paired and contrasted with white gold or yellow gold bands. If you want an
engagement ring that is truly unique from the rest and last a lifetime,
sapphires may just be the perfect stone for her.
Winner Sapphire vs. Diamond
Engagement Rings Style - Our Experts Pick: Sapphire
And
Our Jewelry Experts Pick Is
In this sapphire vs. diamond engagement rings
debate, sapphires have just barely passed out ahead of diamonds.
However, both stones come in a wide
range of colors and are hard enough to stand up to the wear of everyday
life. Comparing sapphire vs. diamond engagement rings shows a lot of
similarities, so the most important factor in choosing between the two is
your personal preference - budget and style.
If you prefer to stay with the tradition
with a timeless classic piece of jewelry, diamonds may be right choice for you.
But, if you want to save some money on your engagement ring and truly stand out
from the crowd, sapphires are a perfect alternative choice for modern
brides-to-be. Some women want anything but traditional, and sapphires are
making a comeback.
What The Sapphire Symbolizes?
The American Gem Trade Association website
states that: Ancient Persian rulers believed that the earth rested on a
giant Sapphire and that its reflection colored the heavens blue. Even the
jewels original Latin name, Sapphiru, means blue. Due to their color, sapphires
were often associated with the blue skies and planets.
The Jewelry Editor website states that - Signifying faith and purity, sapphires are said to offer the
wearer protection from envy and harm. In medieval times, members of the clergy
wore sapphires as a symbol of holiness to attract heavenly blessings. While
blue is the most popular color, it comes in a multitude of hues from white,
yellow and green, to pink, purple and orange.
Other common meanings associated with the
birthstone are wisdom, trust, blessing and faithfulness. Sapphires have also
been linked to royalty; a concept reinforced by British Crown Jewels. Prince
Charles gave Princess Diana a famous 18-carat blue oval sapphire and halo
diamond engagement ring that Kate Middleton still wears today. Many people tend
to think that sapphires only come in blue color.
Additionally, Sapphires are the September
birthstone and also the traditional stone for 45th-anniversary jewelry and
gifts.
What Is The History & Meaning of Sapphire
Engagement Rings?
Giving engagement rings tradition started
around the 14th and 15th centuries, and gifting colorful gemstones were
more common than diamonds.
However, the diamond market was flooded in the
18th and 19th centuries and diamonds prices began to drop. Due to instability
in diamond prices and man-made diamonds, sapphires and other colored gemstones
became all the more popular as they were thought their value will keep on
increasing over time.
In 1950s, the Diamond Firm DeBeers company
came up with their famous phrase: A Diamond is Forever and the idea
became popular. Diamonds became almost synonymous with true love and the use of
sapphires and other colorful stones declined once again.
Should I Buy A Vintage
Sapphire Engagement Ring?
We recommend vintage-inspired
sapphire engagement ring instead of vintage sapphire ring because of wear and
tear, as well as for authenticity. This Victorian-inspired sapphire and diamond
engagement ring is guaranteed to make any bride gasp. The midnight blue
sapphire is surrounded by round brilliant-cut diamonds that dazzle upon
inspection. As part of our vintage-inspired line, each ring is one-of-a-kind
and made to order. In modern day, sapphire engagement rings are associated with
wisdom and fidelity, as well as old-world romance.
Design
Your One-Of-A-Kind Custom Sapphire Engagement Ring!
At SND Gems designing a unique piece of custom
jewelry is easy - it is an honor and a joy to be a part of the love
story and build personalized pieces for brides every day.
Here, creating a custom engagement
ring is easy with our team of experienced designers in New York City
on your side. Simply choose the perfect setting and the best size, shape,
color and cut of your sapphire and then see the ring come to life around your
center stone.
We design the ring to your specifications in
our special CAD software. After your final approval, in-house designers will
source your stones and build your custom sapphire engagement ring. Our sapphire engagement ring
design includes solitaire, three-stone and multi-stone designs. Choose
from attractive blue, pink, yellow sapphires, and more! Each alternative &
non-traditional engagement ring is custom made in NYC using responsibly sourced
gems, conflict free diamonds, and recycled metals.
New shapes, sizes, fancy colored sapphires and
gold colors ... So, a modern bride can celebrate her individuality with it! When you design a custom engagement ring with
us you have the luxury to personalize the piece any way you choose
to. When it comes down to sapphire vs. diamond engagement rings, sometimes you
just cannot choose, both look beautiful together. In toi et moi rings, they
were paired to symbolize eternity and love. So, why not use both in your unique
ring? A white diamonds halo or as side stones around a center sapphire
stone is timelessly elegant, but the two stones truly enhance each other
in any setting.
Sapphires are a more budget-friendly move and
hard enough to stand up to the wear and tear of everyday use. From deep blue to pretty-in-pink, Sapphire
engagement rings are vibrant diamond alternatives that make a distinctive
statement. They come in almost
every color of the rainbow and make a stunning centerpiece for any
personalized engagement ring. In fact, our designers often use sapphires
in our unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. Explore our collection of custom
jewelry pieces to see the stone in action and determine if our style is a
good fit for you.
Snd Gems is located at 54 W 47th Street
#4R in downtown New York and our workshop is open for appointments
Monday through Saturday. Contact us to create your custom piece and
turn your dream fancy sapphire engagement ring into a reality!
To browse our beautiful collection
of colorful fancy sapphire engagement rings online click here
or images below.
|
Contact Us/heart-link4.jpg){kind=small}
/heart-link4.jpg){kind=small}
Sparkle N Dazzle Co. (sndgems.com) 54 W 47th St Suite #4R, New York, NY 10036
