Diamonds are still the most popular choice for engagement rings, but lately more and more grooms are going a more non-traditional route. Enter the sapphire engagement ring.
We’ve specialized in diamonds for decades now, but we do carry some absolutely stunning sapphires. We get REALLY excited when customers come in to look at our sapphires instead of diamonds for an engagement ring. They’ll continue to grow in popularity, especially with more birthstones popping up in engagement ring designs.
See also: Birthstone Engagement Rings On Trend in 2019
There are a number of reasons why this gemstone makes a great engagement ring choice.
Top 10 Reasons to Consider a Sapphire Engagement Ring
1. Variety of Colors
Did you know that sapphires can be any color of the rainbow? Most people associate sapphires with the color blue, which is considered sapphire’s “true” color. But they can actually be found in many other colors as well– from black to yellow to pink to green to white.
Sapphires are a variety of Corundum, which is an aluminum oxide mineral that may be transparent to opaque. Blue sapphires range in hues from pale to dark royal blue, to indigo, with the most highly desired color being the velvety cornflower blue (AKA Kashmir Sapphire).
2. Meanings of Love
Yes, we’re about to get a little sappy. An engagement ring isn’t just about a pledge to marry someone and spend the rest of your lives together. The stones chosen have different means as well. For instance, the three gemstones in the popular three stone engagement ring symbolize the past, present, and future. Or they can sometimes mean friendship, love and fidelity.
You get the idea. Each sapphire color has a different meaning.
- Blue Sapphires: love, commitment, fidelity, trust and loyalty
- Black Sapphires: confidence
- Green Sapphires: fidelity and integrity
- Orange Sapphires: loving creation
- Pink Sapphires: love and forgiveness.
- Violet Sapphires: oneness and peace.
- White Sapphires: wisdom, communication and strength.
- Yellow Sapphires: wisdom and prosperity.
3. Hard as a Rock
Literally. An engagement ring is meant to be worn daily. Since it’s probably going to be knocked around every now and then, you want a stone that’s tough, durable, and will last forever.
The Moh’s scale tests the hardness of each gemstone, and the sapphire comes in second to only the diamond. Diamonds are the hardest stone, coming in at a solid 10, while sapphires are a close second at 9 on the Moh’s scale. This means that your stone will be very durable and will resist chips and cracks, which makes it ideal for a center stone in an engagement ring.
4. Trend Setting Factor
A sapphire engagement ring is the perfect choice for those that dance to the beat of their own drum. They don’t follow trends. They set the trends.
Non-traditional engagement rings have caught on over the past few years. Many brides want to stand out, whether it be a unique engagement ring, an outside-of-the-box wedding locale, or a custom made dress. Or hell, maybe all three. You do you!
5. Affordable Price
We aren’t saying sapphires are super cheap, but the cost of a sapphire is considerably lower compared to diamonds. Approximately half the price lower.
Several factors impact the lower cost. First of all, it’s just a different type of stone that’s less in demand. Secondly, there are a lot more sapphires in the world than diamonds. A surplus combined with lesser demand = lower price.
Sapphires vary in price depending on the hue of blue that you choose, as well as if the stone is heat treated versus no heat. The most expense sapphire stones are the Kashmir Sapphires. (the cornflower blue color)
6. Go Big or Go Home
Because the price is less, you can go with a bigger center stone than you might be able to afford if you went with a diamond.
Here’s an example for you:
Exhibit A: A 4.57-ct. cushion cut diamond that was I color and SI1 clarity from an online seller would roughly cost $53,000.
Exhibit B: 4.57-ct. cushion cut sapphire that had no heat would be priced at $9,700.
With sapphires you get more bang for the buck in every single way!
7. Heat Treated Versus Natural
Some colored gemstones are heated to bring out the natural color and to lessen the inclusions. It’s not unusual and it doesn’t affect the actual stone itself.
Most sapphires are heat treated, making them less expensive compared with an unheated sapphire. The gemologist report should state whether or not the stone has been heat treated or not.
An unheated sapphire is still heated, but by natural heat from the Earth before it was removed and cut. The unheated sapphires will have inclusions, just like a diamond, and be a very vivid in color. These unheated versions are very rare to find, making them much more valuable.
8. Blue is the Color of Royalty
As in royal engagement rings. Remember Princess Di’s 12-carat sapphire engagement ring that Prince William proposed to Kate with?
Hoda Kotb is the most recent celeb to rock an engagement ring featuring sapphires.
9. Pairs Well with Any Color Gold
Sapphires look amazing against any color gold, but the best look is against white gold or platinum. Our favorite is pairing a new stone against an antique platinum setting.
The key to a good setting is not just the color gold, but the color and clarity of the accent stones. If you’re buying sapphires from a reputable jeweler, like us, then we know that sparkly white diamonds will really intensify the color of the blue sapphire.
We can assist in the design process and create a real stunner for your bride-to-be.
10. Certified Only
Just like a diamond, be sure that your sapphires come with a certificate from either the GIA, AGS, EGL or IGI. This way you know what you are getting and that your seller is legitimate.
Certificates are super important no matter what gemstone you’re buying. If your diamond dealer says otherwise or that a colored gemstone doesn’t need a certificate– RUN.
If these top 10 reasons to choose sapphires over diamonds for your engagement ring has peaked your interest, call Jonathan’s Fine Jewelers today to make an appointment and see the beautiful selection of heat and no heat sapphires that we have in stock!
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