Why Choose a Sapphire Engagement Ring?

Choosing an engagement ring, particularly a custom one, provides a glimpse into the wearer's individuality and the couple's relationship. This ring carries significance for both partners as a symbol of their journey together. A common discussion surrounding engagement rings involves the center stone. Although diamonds have historically dominated as the preferred choice, colored gemstones present an alluring alternative. There are almost endless options when it comes to colored gemstones, but one of the most popular is the sapphire. Many people may think that sapphires are only blue, but the truth is that sapphires come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Let’s explore the sapphire and why it is a beautiful option for an engagement ring center stone. 

What are the different colors of sapphires?

Before diving into why sapphires are a great choice for an engagement ring, let’s first discuss the variety of colors that sapphires are available in. 

1. Blue Sapphire: Blue sapphire is the most well-known and popular variety of sapphire. It ranges in color from light blue to deep blue, with intense and vivid hues being the most desirable. Blue sapphires are often associated with qualities such as loyalty and wisdom.

2. Pink Sapphire: Pink sapphire is popular for its romantic color, ranging from soft pastel pink to vibrant magenta. Pink sapphires symbolize love and femininity, making them an ideal choice for engagement rings.

3. Yellow Sapphire: Yellow sapphire varies in hues ranging from pale lemon yellow to rich golden yellow. Yellow sapphires are associated with qualities such as prosperity and joy, possibly the most cheerful of sapphires.

4. Padparadscha Sapphire: Padparadscha sapphire is a rare and often expensive hue that combines pink and orange, resembling the color of a lotus flower. The name "padparadscha" is derived from the Sinhalese word for lotus blossom.

5. Purple Sapphire: Purple sapphire ranges from light lavender to deep violet. Purple sapphires symbolize creativity and spiritual awareness.

6. Green Sapphire: Green sapphire ranges in color from pale mint green to deep forest green. Green sapphires are associated with nature and renewal.

7. White Sapphire: White sapphire is a colorless variety that closely resembles diamonds, although not with the same sparkle. While lacking the colorful brilliance of other sapphires, white sapphires offer a subtle elegance and they are an affordable alternative to diamonds for engagement rings.

8. Black Sapphire: Black sapphire is a dark, opaque variety that ranges from deep charcoal gray to jet black, similar in color to a black diamond. Black sapphires are prized for their dramatic appearance.

These are just a few examples of the diverse range of sapphire colors available. Sapphires also come in shades of orange, brown, teal, and others, offering endless possibilities for creating unique and beautiful engagement rings. There truly is a color and type of sapphire to suit every style and preference.

What are the different shapes of sapphires?

Sapphires are also available in a range of shapes.

1. Round: Round sapphires are one of the most classic and versatile shapes, offering timeless elegance and excellent brilliance. 

2. Oval: Oval sapphires have an elongated shape with rounded ends, creating a feminine appearance. They offer a unique twist on the classic round shape.

3. Cushion: Cushion cut sapphires have a square or rectangular shape with rounded corners, offering a vintage style.

4. Emerald: Emerald-cut sapphires feature a rectangular shape with step-cut facets, emphasizing clarity.

5. Princess: Princess-cut sapphires have a square or rectangular shape with pointed corners for a contemporary look.

6. Pear: Pear shaped sapphires have a rounded end and a pointed tip, perfect for the bride who wants a unique statement piece engagement ring.

7. Marquise: Marquise cut sapphires have an elongated shape with pointed ends and create the illusion of longer, slender fingers.

8. Radiant: Radiant cut sapphires feature a rectangular or square shape with trimmed corners, and give off an antique vibe.

Natural vs. lab grown sapphires

When purchasing a sapphire, you will have the option of natural vs. lab grown. The primary difference between natural and lab-grown sapphires is the formation process. Natural sapphires are formed through natural geological processes deep within the Earth's crust over millions of years. There are sapphire mines in many countries, such as Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Madagascar, and Australia. Alternatively, lab-grown sapphires are created in a controlled laboratory environment using advanced technology and techniques. Both natural and lab-grown sapphires have identical chemical compositions and durability, making them suitable for use in jewelry.

Lab-grown sapphires are considered to be more environmentally friendly when compared to mined sapphires, as they have less of an environmental impact. Natural sapphires are relatively rare, especially in high-quality and large sizes, which can make them more expensive. The price of natural sapphires is influenced by factors such as color, clarity, and size. Lab-grown sapphires are produced in a controlled environment and can be manufactured in various colors and sizes, making them more affordable.

7 Reasons to choose sapphires for your engagement ring

Now that we have a basic understanding of sapphires, where they come from, and the colors they are available in, let’s discuss why a sapphire would be an ideal choice for an engagement ring center stone. 

1. Symbolism: Sapphires have long been associated with qualities such as loyalty, sincerity, and faithfulness, making them an ideal choice for symbolizing a committed relationship. They also hold significance across different cultures, which could make their incorporation a necessity for some couples and their families.

2. Uniqueness: Sapphires come in a range of colors, with blue being the most popular and traditional choice. This variety allows couples to choose a sapphire that reflects their unique style and personality, creating a one-of-a-kind ring that stands out from traditional diamond engagement rings.

3. Durability: Sapphires are one of the hardest gemstones, ranking just below diamonds on the Mohs scale of hardness. This makes them resistant to scratches and chips, which is perfect for a ring that will be worn on a daily basis.

4. Affordability: As long as you’re not selecting the largest and most rare sapphire, in general, sapphires are more affordable than diamonds of comparable size and quality–which is helpful if you’re on a budget for your ring. You can also choose a lab grown sapphire, which will allow you to focus more of your budget on the ring design mounting itself, the wedding bands, or other aspects of the wedding. 

5. Ethical Considerations: If you’re looking for a more ethical choice, lab grown sapphires are comparable to lab grown diamonds since they have less environmental considerations.

6. Timelessness: While sapphire engagement rings have experienced periods of popularity throughout history, they are fairly timeless and remain in style, no matter the time period.

7. Versatility: Due to the different shapes and colors sapphires are available in, they can contribute to creating a completely unique engagement ring design.

Even if you absolutely love sapphires, it’s possible that choosing a sapphire center stone for your engagement ring doesn’t appeal to you. Is it too much color? Is it not traditional enough? Will it not match enough of your outfits? Fear not, as there are other ways to incorporate sapphires into your engagement ring.

Sapphires are also available in melee sizes. The word “melee" refers to small stones, typically less than 0.20 carats in weight, often used as accent stones in jewelry. This term can apply to the diamonds or gemstones that are used as side stones in your engagement ring. Sapphires are commonly cut into small sizes suitable for melee in several shapes, although not as many shape options as larger sapphires. They are often available in round, princess, oval, and baguette. The most common color for melee sapphires is blue, although you can also find them in a few of the other colors as well. 

Overall, choosing a sapphire for an engagement ring offers a blend of symbolism, beauty, durability, affordability, and ethical considerations that make it a compelling alternative to traditional diamond rings. Will you incorporate sapphires into your engagement ring?