All About Blue Sapphire Engagement Rings
Blue sapphire engagement rings, now that’s something a little unusual, right? Perhaps a little, after all, the engagement rings that most women are wearing are made with diamonds or at least something that looks like it might be a diamond.
A Brief History Of Sapphire Engagement Rings
Most people do not know that blue sapphires have a long history of betrothal or engagement rings. The first people to use rings to indicate the intention of a person to become wed were the Romans. It was popular to use blue sapphires in such rings as the deep blue gems were reputed to indicate integrity, honesty, and honour. These are all great attributes for people intending to get married and make a family together. Over the years since then, engagement rings have fallen in and out of favour but by the 19th century were back in fashion with a vengeance.
During the late 18th to 19th centuries, the once rare and valuable diamond was falling in price due to the vast diamond mines being opened up in South Africa and Rhodesia by the De Beers company and slightly earlier from mines in Brazil. Sapphires and some other gemstones came to be seen as being rarer and thus more valuable than diamonds. So they started to be used in engagement rings rather than diamonds, which came to be seen as relatively cheap and commonplace.
If you decide that the deep blue of a sapphire, perhaps with diamonds, is a good look for you, you are not alone. You are probably following the footsteps of your great great grandmother and her forebears. They might well have worn a sapphire ring as a sign of their engagement!
The idea of wearing a blue sapphire engagement ring was boosted when Prince Charles gave Diana Spencer a ring with a 12-carat sapphire surrounded by 14 diamonds. The stunning ring, created by the crown jeweller of the time, Garrard. The design was inspired by a sapphire and diamond brooch given to Queen Victoria by Prince Albert as a wedding gift. That royal tradition was continued when Kate Middleton wore Princess Diana’s engagement ring.
Blue Sapphire & Diamond Half Eternity Ring 0.60ct in 18k Yellow Gold
£799.00
£1,197.00
This fabulous half eternity ring showcases a striking design featuring a half-circle 0.35ct of blue sapphires and 0.25ct of natural diamonds set in a classic claw setting around half the circumference of the UK hallmarked 18k yellow gold band. The… read more
Why Should You Choose A Blue Sapphire Engagement Ring?
Now that we have established the credentials of sapphires on engagement rings, we can look at why you should do the same, albeit on a smaller scale than Lady Diana’s class-leading example!
First, if you were born in September, then you are in luck! The blue sapphire is the birthstone for people born in September. Apart from the appealing beauty of the blue sapphire, that can be reason enough to choose a sapphire!
Over the centuries, the blue sapphire has often been associated with good energy and strength. Those might well be attributes that you might want to associate with your engagement and wedding plans.
Suppose you want to make a statement, apart from the eye-catching colour. In that case, you can take advantage of the fact that sapphires are, carat for carat, less expensive than diamonds. This means that you can have a more impressively large ring than you could buy if you purchased a diamond ring with the same budget. Of course, if you choose a very rare example of sapphire, then the sky can be the limit when it comes to cost; but for now, we are staying in the realms that most of us inhabit!
Unlike some other precious stones, sapphires are very tough and can withstand almost anything that a diamond can. For reference, a diamond is rated at 10.0 on the Mohs scale of hardness and sapphire is second only to the diamond at 9.0. Just as with diamonds, a strong enough impact can crack or chip a sapphire, but in normal use, there is no reason for concern. As further reassurance, sapphire is harder than a masonry drill bit! There is no reason not to wear your sapphire engagement ring every day.
Oval 1.00ct Blue Sapphire 0.60ct Diamond Cluster Ring 18k Yellow Gold
£1,384.00
£2,507.00
A first-class piece from our UK artisans. A whole carat of beautiful deep blue sapphire framed by a cluster of the finest diamonds, all set in 18k yellow gold. This one is for the special someone in your life to… read more
Which Precious Metal Should You Use With Your Sapphire Engagement Ring?
In truth, the choice of precious metal is yours. We would exclude silver from the running because it is too soft for a lifetime of wear. However, white metals such as platinum or white gold can make a diamond and blue sapphire engagement ring stand out as the white metal contrasts with the blue of the sapphire. However, some skin tones can work best with yellow or rose gold.
To some degree, your choice may be influenced by the depth of colour of the sapphire. When you check out our collection of sapphire engagement rings, compare the visual effect of different colour metals with the ring designs that most appeal to you.
What Type Of Sapphire Should You Choose?
We think that sapphires can look lovely in almost any shape, but perhaps the most enchanting are ovals. Oval cuts allow the most light to travel through the stone enhancing its colour. This shape seems the largest relative to its weight and can show off the vibrant blue to its best effect.
Just look at this gorgeous 2.58 carat sapphire engagement ring in white gold. Surrounded by a halo of diamonds that catch the light and play with the blue of the sapphire. All this light magic is further enhanced by the shimmer of white gold increasing the contrast between the sapphire and gold while adding to the fire of the white diamonds!
Although sapphires do not have the fire of diamonds, the oval cut stops the gemstone from looking ‘flat’.
0.60ct Blue Sapphire 0.30ct Diamond Five Stone Ring 18k Yellow Gold
£1,126.00
£2,017.00
When it comes to jewellery, it's important to be able to personalize it to each individual. This ring was handcrafted specifically for you and is a perfect gift for any occasion. The five diamond stones are hand-set in 18k yellow… read more
Choose Sapphire Because You Love It!
Sapphires are beautiful and can be the centre of an engagement ring that will always make you feel proud and very special when you wear it. If you fall in love with a sapphire and diamond engagement ring, then buy it with pleasure, enjoy it as a commemoration of the day that you chose a new life with the person you love and want to marry.
A sapphire engagement ring will always look special; such a ring will never be worn by everybody – you are not everybody. You are unique.
Take a moment, take a few hours, check our collection of sapphire and diamond engagement rings and be inspired to be a little different to most people. You will always have a story to tell when somebody asks you about the blue and white fire on your finger!
