Sapphire Wedding Rings For Something Blue

April 22nd, 2020 / Alese Oldenburg

Women worldwide know the adage of marriage, “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue!” Choosing to go with a blue sapphire wedding ring checks, not just the “blue” box, but the something “new” box, too! Unless, of course, it’s a family heirloom. Then you can check the “old” box instead.

Reasons for Considering a Sapphire Wedding Ring

There are several reasons you might be thinking of going with a sapphire wedding ring or engagement ring. Some of the main reasons people choose sapphires are:

• A sapphire engagement ring is unique and intriguing, something different from classic diamonds
• A sapphire ring will make a statement wherever you go
• A sapphire gemstone is quite durable and not easily scratched
• A sapphire ring can be more affordable than going with a diamond wedding ring

So What Exactly is a Sapphire Gemstone?

Much like a diamond, sapphires are considered a precious gemstone. They are formed from the mineral called corundum—a crystalized version of aluminum oxide with traces of iron, magnesium, chromium, and copper—and have a long and colored story throughout history. It’s one of the reasons they are so popular, nearly as popular as their diamond competitors.

Some couples even prefer marrying the two gemstones together and purchase wedding jewelry sets made of both sapphires and diamonds for their engagement ring and wedding band. Maybe it’s a larger diamond surrounded by smaller sapphire gems or a larger sapphire set within tiny diamonds. Both looks of sapphire and diamond stones are beautiful, classy, and unique.

Are Sapphires Only Blue in Color?

No, actually. Although blue is the most popular color and what one often thinks of when thinking “sapphire jewelry,” in reality, natural sapphires can come in a variety of colors. Naturally white sapphires are quite uncommon, and most are found in regions like Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Pure white sapphires are often produced from yellow or grey sapphires. They undergo a chemical or heat treatment process that leaches the color out of them.

More commonly, you’ll find natural sapphire gems that are peach, grey, yellow, green, pink, teal, and even purple. The different colors come from the mix of different trace elements found in corundum. A stone that has more magnesium and copper, for instance, might be different in color than a sapphire that contains more iron or magnesium.

Symbolism of the Sapphire Gemstone

Many women today find sapphire rings attractive because of the symbolism that accompanies the gemstone. In modern history, one of the most famous wearers of a sapphire engagement ring was Princess Diana and Kate Middleton, respectively. However, they aren’t the first members of royalty to sport sapphires.

In ancient times, the sapphire was extremely popular with the Persians. In their view, the earth itself was created on top of a big blue sapphire, and the sky was only its brilliant blue color because it was reflecting the brilliance from the sapphire. Of course, we know that to be nothing but a fable today, but that wasn’t the only reason Persians valued sapphire rings. They also believe in the healing properties of the blue gemstone, and that it was a calming balm to a troubled spirit.

Nowadays, there are multiple different symbolic meanings for a sapphire ring.

Meanings like:

• Sincerity
• Faithfulness
• Virtue
• Wisdom
• Good fortune
• Holiness in regards to royalty

All of these symbolic meanings are perfect for representing the strong, enduring love between two people about to get married.

Sapphire Shape, Carat, and Brilliance

Though a diamond is often evaluated using the 4 C’s—cut, carat, color, and clarity—a sapphire gemstone is judged a little differently. Of course, these elements are still important. Sapphire considerations like the purity of the stone, the tone of the color, and the levels of saturation are evaluated as well. Since beauty is in the eye of the beholder, judging the actual color is largely subjective. One brilliant shade of blue might be beautiful to you, while another, lighter shade of blue might be more attractive to someone else.

When it comes to the shape and cut of a sapphire, both are a big factor in how appealing the gem is. Cut poorly; the gemstone isn’t nearly as beautiful and eye-catching. That’s why it’s always important to make sure your sapphire wedding stone was cut from a jeweler that knows their stuff! 

The idea is to cut the sapphire stone in such a way that carat weight and size are preserved, but the stone is shone off to its best advantage. 

Different Sapphire Cuts

There are a variety of different cuts for sapphires available. A few of the most popular are round cuts, oval cuts, and cushion cuts. That doesn’t mean the stone can’t be cut into other shapes as well. Pear cuts, princess cuts, heart cuts, and marquise cuts are also available. However, like any gemstone, there are specific cuts that seem to work best and make the most out of a rough stone so that its true brilliance can shine. For sapphires, you might consider one of these four:

Brilliant Cut: This is a cut designed to maximize the sparkle in a stone. It’s a common cut for new diamonds for just that reason. The facets are kite-shaped, and a single stone may have as many as 58 different facets and angles for light to refract and sparkle through.

Step Cut: The step cut is a beautiful way to showcase the color of a gemstone. When the edges are slightly clipped instead of squared, the cut is called an emerald cut. Either way, it’s a cut in a way that works down from the top facet, similar to a staircase. Each step must be precise, even with the prior one.

Cabochon Cut: Arguably one of the easiest sapphire cuts you can get, it’s shipped into a round, smooth dome top with a flat bottom. There is no other faceting on the stone to be found, and it’s one of the least expensive cuts, which makes it a top pick for any sapphire jewelry, not just wedding rings. The cabochon cut makes a great option if you plan on purchasing bridesmaid jewelry sets to match the bride and groom’s rings.

Mixed Cut: Then there’s the mixed cut. Think of this cut like a marriage between an emerald cut and a brilliant cut. You’ll most often see a crown that’s brilliantly cut, while the bottom portion, known as the pavilion, is step cut. Not only does the mixed cut reduce the amount of waste produced when cutting a gemstone, but it also helps the jeweler achieve maximum sparkle and color. More sparkle and brilliance means a more popular and eye-catching sapphire wedding ring!

Things to Watch for in Poorly Cut Sapphire Wedding Rings

As with anything, quality takes precedence, including the quality of the cut itself. You might find a ring that’s a popular cut that you love, but unfortunately, the cut is poor, which means it’s probably not worth the asking price. Things to look for in a poor cut include:

• Poor symmetry grading, which means the cut’s balance and proportions are off.
• There’s no brilliance in the cut, and the sapphire looks dull and lifeless.
• Check whether the culet is off-center, and the girdle is uneven.

Inclusions and How to Spot a Fake Sapphire

One surefire way to spot a fake sapphire is to look for inclusions. Inclusions occur in natural gemstones like sapphires and may look like fissures, cracks, silk needles, or opaque knots. Of course, a good cut will help to minimize how these inclusions look so that the stone is worth more and is more desirable to customers. If there are heavy inclusions and the sapphire isn’t cut properly to minimize them, it can reduce how well it sparkles and shows off its color by making the sapphire appear opaque. However, if you look at a sapphire and can find no inclusions whatsoever, you’re probably looking at fake goods. Try shining a light through your sapphire gemstone and see if you can spot any inclusions.

Should You Invest in a Sapphire Wedding Ring?

Sapphires have always been a popular choice throughout the ages, for many reasons. Wedding rings with sapphire gemstones are increasingly popular today, especially for couples that want something a little different, with that extra special “it” factor that perhaps a more traditional diamond ring doesn’t give them. Everyone has their own style and tastes, so to each their own! The nice thing about sapphires is because of the range in colors, there are plenty to match any skin tone. However, the most valuable sapphires are blue in color, because they are rarer and harder to find, as are natural white sapphires. The richer and deeper the blue is, the more valuable the sapphire! Regardless of cost, sapphire wedding rings are a beautiful option for couples who aren’t afraid to be different. At Diamond Nexus, we have a beautiful selection of sapphires to choose from online.

*Here at Diamond Nexus, we strive to provide valuable information while being clear and honest about our products. The Nexus Diamond™ alternative is a patented lab created diamond simulate that, among all simulants, most closely imitates the look, weight and wear of a diamond, with two exceptions – it is absolutely perfect in every way, and it costs significantly less. Price points and environmental facts expressed in this blog were taken from popular online retailers and may vary. Learn more about the environmental impact of mining by visiting our blog.