Sapphire Rings: Everything You Need To Know
For centuries, people have chosen precious sapphire rings for celebrating life's important moments. Sapphire's deep blue hue, hardness and luster symbolizes wisdom, wealth and blessings. For this reason, sapphire is traditionally used for engagement rings and anniversary bands. Today, sapphire's appeal has grown even further to include jewelry lovers and fashionistas alike. Let's take a closer look at why people adore sapphire rings, the beauty of sapphire, and the different shapes of sapphire rings available.
Sapphire rings are particularly loved for their deep blue color, which can range from a bright, almost electric blue to a dark, velvety navy. This color is especially vivid when set against white or yellow gold, and can really pop when paired with sparkling diamond accents. Sapphires are available in a range of colors, including pink, yellow, green, and even white. These options make sapphire rings a versatile choice that can suit a variety of tastes and styles. Sapphire is also known for its durability. With a rating of 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness, sapphire is second only to diamond in terms of hardness. Sapphire's strength and resilience makes it an apt choice for engagement rings.
Sapphires are a type of corundum. This mineral is mainly composed of aluminum oxide, plus other trace elements responsible for different colors. The blue sapphire, which contains titanium and iron, is the most well-known. Sapphires that aren't blue are called "fancy" sapphires and are beautiful in their own right. For example, pink sapphires have a romantic, feminine quality, while yellow sapphires have a sunny, cheerful quality. While blue sapphires are probably the most well-known, sapphires can also be found in various colors of the rainbow, including: gray, green, orange, pink, purple, yellow, and even white. This means that no matter what your personal style or preferences are, there's likely a sapphire out there that will suit you.
Sapphire rings come in a variety of shapes and cuts. The most popular cuts for sapphires are round, oval, and cushion. The most common shape is the round brilliant cut. Round sapphire rings are perfect for those who prefer a traditional and understated look, as the simple shape allows the vibrant color of the sapphire to take center stage. Additionally, the round cut is ideal for those who prefer a ring that will never go out of style. For this reason, sapphire gold engagement rings and wedding bands often feature round stones. Typically, a round brilliant cut sapphire has 57 or 58 facets.
Next in popularity for sapphire rings is the oval cut, which has a more elongated shape and is great for accentuating the length of the finger. This shape appeals to those who want a ring that looks larger than its actual carat weight, as its shape may create an illusion of greater size. Oval sapphire rings are favored by those who want a vintage or antique look, as the shape has been used in jewelry design for hundreds of years. The oval cut is also commonly used by gemstone cutters to hide inclusions on the edges of the stone and maximize yield from raw sapphire.
The princess or square cut is another familiar shape used in sapphire rings. Princess cut sapphires are often set in bezel and channel settings, or three-stone rings. They are also a popular choice for those couples who want a distinctive twist on a classic engagement ring. With their corners and dramatic sparkle, princess cut sapphire rings concentrate the gem's color, or saturation, in the center. Some people prefer the boldness of square sapphire instead of round sapphire in men's sapphire rings.
In conclusion, sapphire rings are a timeless and beloved choice for people looking for a piece of jewelry that is both beautiful and durable. The deep blue color of sapphires is particularly striking, but the range of colors available means that there is a sapphire for every taste.