Choosing the right Sapphire for an Engagement Ring
Sapphires are constantly becoming a more popular choice for engagement rings. With a diverse colour range, exceptional hardness and romantic connotations, sapphires are a versatile and unique alternative to diamond engagement rings.
Australian sapphires are prized, exquisite precious stones, with one of the world’s largest colour ranges, from classic blue sapphires, to unique yellow, green and teal sapphires and the illusive parti stone. Australian sapphires are ethically and sustainably mined, in accordance with Government environmental and worker laws, making them an attractive proposition.
Different colours of Sapphires
Sapphires come in an extensive array of colours across the world. The most recognised is the Blue sapphire, of which there are many different shades and saturations. Royal blue, cornflower blue and ceylon blue sapphires are widely recognised, and in Australia, teal sapphires and blue parti stones are a popular choice.
This diverse colour range makes sapphires the ultimate choice for an engagement ring centre stone. When choosing an engagement ring, it is important to factor in your partner’s personal style and jewellery taste. Due to their colour range, sapphires truly allow you to integrate this into your decision, tailoring the exact colouring of the precious stone to their preferences. For those with a unique, bold taste in jewellery, opting for a vibrant yellow or teal sapphire is an excellent choice. A more traditional engagement ring choice is royal blue sapphire, popularised largely from Princess Diana’s engagement ring, or for an added touch of personality, a Blue Parti sapphire. Parti sapphires are each one-of-a-kind, with a single stone displaying two or more colours. Opting for a primarily blue stone with a yellow or green reflect in it can give the illusion of dynamic colours in different lighting, a wonderful, rare choice for a sentimental gift.
Different colours of Sapphires
Sapphires come in an extensive array of colours across the world. The most recognised is the Blue sapphire, of which there are many different shades and saturations. Royal blue, cornflower blue and ceylon blue sapphires are widely recognised, and in Australia, teal sapphires and blue parti stones are a popular choice.
This diverse colour range makes sapphires the ultimate choice for an engagement ring centre stone. When choosing an engagement ring, it is important to factor in your partner’s personal style and jewellery taste. Due to their colour range, sapphires truly allow you to integrate this into your decision, tailoring the exact colouring of the precious stone to their preferences. For those with a unique, bold taste in jewellery, opting for a vibrant yellow or teal sapphire is an excellent choice. A more traditional engagement ring choice is royal blue sapphire, popularised largely from Princess Diana’s engagement ring, or for an added touch of personality, a Blue Parti sapphire. Parti sapphires are each one-of-a-kind, with a single stone displaying two or more colours. Opting for a primarily blue stone with a yellow or green reflect in it can give the illusion of dynamic colours in different lighting, a wonderful, rare choice.
Different cuts of Sapphires
Sapphires, like diamonds, can be cut in many ways to best sparkle and show their colour, with the most common being oval, round and cushion. Round cut sapphires are classic and sparkling, with over 50 facets, they are the most popular choice, letting in a brilliant amount of light and reflecting exceptional colour in sapphires. Similar to a round cut stone, an oval cut is recognised for its sparkle, however due to its elongated shape it can appear bigger than a round cut of the same carat weight. An oval cut sapphire is luxurious and elegant, allowing the colour of the stone to shine and pick up varied colour depending on light. Parti sapphires look exceptional in an oval cut, with the elongated shape allowing multiple colours to be more bold and clear. A cushion or radiant cut sapphire is also a beautiful choice for an engagement ring as they have many facets and pick up light well, while more unique than a round or oval cut stone.
Which setting is best for Engagement Rings?
The most recognised settings for an engagement ring are halo, solitaire and trilogy, however this range is not limited, with many opting for a unique or bespoke design which takes influence from these staples.
Solitaire Rings
In recent years, solitaire rings have become very popular, with minimal jewellery style leading engagement ring trends.Solitaire rings are simple and elegant, allowing the beauty of sapphires and their vibrant colours to hold focus. A solitaire setting simply features a single stone, most commonly set on a plain band. Stones with a unique colour or bold shape, such as a stunning pear cut green sapphire will be showcased beautifully in a solitaire engagement ring, seen in our Grace Ring. Solitaire engagement rings are the perfect choice for those who enjoy changing their jewellery and ring stacking/styling regularly, as the engagement ring does not set an overriding style and pairs easily with many other ring designs.
Halo Rings
Halo engagement rings are a classic, timeless choice. A stunning circle of sparkling white diamonds can enhance the colour and size of a sapphire centre stone, perfect for those who indulge in a touch of glamour. Typically there are two types of halo settings, flush or floating. A flush halo is set directly alongside its centre stone, whereas a floating halo is separated slightly from the centre stone with its prongs. Halo designs are diverse and can include simple, subtle diamonds, or a hidden halo (where the halo sits under a high set stone) to a circle of larger stones, set in a channel alongside the sapphire.
Trilogy Rings
Trilogy settings are romantic and versatile, with their three stones symbolising the “past, present and future” of a relationship or the words “I Love You”, making them the perfect engagement ring setting. A trilogy setting typically features a large centre stone, nestled between two smaller stones seen in our Larme De La Mer Ring, however can be paired with a halo setting for a striking engagement ring choice, such as the La Reine De Vivera Ring.
Solitaire Rings
In recent years, solitaire rings have become very popular, with minimal jewellery style leading engagement ring trends.Solitaire rings are simple and elegant, allowing the beauty of sapphires and their vibrant colours to hold focus. A solitaire setting simply features a single stone, most commonly set on a plain band. Stones with a unique colour or bold shape, such as a stunning pear cut green sapphire will be showcased beautifully in a solitaire engagement ring, seen in our Grace Ring. Solitaire engagement rings are the perfect choice for those who enjoy changing their jewellery and ring stacking/styling regularly, as the engagement ring does not set an overriding style and pairs easily with many other ring designs.
Halo Rings
Halo engagement rings are a classic, timeless choice. A stunning circle of sparkling white diamonds can enhance the colour and size of a sapphire centre stone, perfect for those who indulge in a touch of glamour. Typically there are two types of halo settings, flush or floating. A flush halo is set directly alongside its centre stone, whereas a floating halo is separated slightly from the centre stone with its prongs. Halo designs are diverse and can include simple, subtle diamonds, or a hidden halo (where the halo sits under a high set stone) to a circle of larger stones, set in a channel alongside the sapphire.
Trilogy Rings
Trilogy settings are romantic and versatile, with their three stones symbolising the “past, present and future” of a relationship or the words “I Love You”, making them the perfect engagement ring setting. A trilogy setting typically features a large centre stone, nestled between two smaller stones seen in our Larme De La Mer Ring, however can be paired with a halo setting for a striking engagement ring choice, such as the La Reine De Vivera Ring.
Sapphires vs semi precious stones
Precious and semi precious stones are becoming more popular in engagement rings as they are unique and more personal than classic white diamonds, which often appear the same. Sapphires are the second hardest gemstone to diamonds, making them a desirable choice for engagement rings and sentimental gifts, which will be worn everyday for a long period of time, as they are not easily susceptible to damage. Many semi precious stones are not recommended in these pieces for this reason, as they may be more prone to damage and scratches. Corundum gems; Sapphire and Ruby, are the most popular alternatives to diamond due to their durability, however Aquamarine and Emerald are also apt choices, both on the higher end of the Mohs Hardness Scale.