How to Choose a Sapphire Ring

Sapphires pair well with diamonds in ring settings.

Though diamonds are generally the gemstone of choice for engagement and wedding rings, sapphires have experienced an upswing in popularity due to Princess Diana’s sapphire ring. This ring came back in the spotlight in late 2010 when Prince William offered the ring to Kate Middleton when he proposed. Sapphires symbolize loyalty, honesty and sincerity, making them ideal for expressions of commitment. Whether you’re looking for a sapphire ring to celebrate a special day or for any other reason, visit a knowledgeable jeweler who sells quality gems.

Instructions

1. Select a color. Sapphires come in a variety of shades of blue, ranging from deep blues to lighter gray-blues. Colors for fancy sapphires include purple, pink, orange and yellow. These colors come from miniscule amounts of iron, chrome and other elements that were present when the sapphire’s aluminum oxide crystallized far beneath the Earth’s surface.

2. Look for sapphires that are free from inclusions, which are flaws caused by impurities. Many sapphires have been treated with heat to remove the majority of these impurities.

3. Examine the cut of the sapphire. The cut determines how the stone absorbs and reflects light. With cuts that are too shallow or too deep, light will seep out the sides instead of reflecting off the surface, which causes the sapphire’s colors to stand out better.

4. Choose a setting that highlights the best qualities of your stone and that suits your budget and taste. Blue sapphires work well in solitaire settings with white gold. They also look nice in platinum settings with small diamonds on either side.

References

• International Colored Gemstone Association: Sapphire
• Ruby-Sapphire.com: Judging Quality: A Connoisseur’s Guide
• Diamond Design Co.: Sapphire Gemstones
• ABC News: Prince William Proposes to Kate Middleton With Princess Diana’s Engagement Ring