Sapphire has always been the romantic stone. Its bright rich colors adorned the clothes of nobles and the clergy for centuries and royalty favored it greatly. It signals truth, value and dignity. A sapphire ring represents immense prestige and classiness. It can speak a thousand words from the heart and shows that special someone how you truly feel about them without blowing up your budget.
Sapphire is the September birthstone and this marvelous gem comes in a wide range of colors. Each color carries a different meaning. Blue sapphire is associated with physical health and well-being while yellow sapphire represents wisdom and compassion. When you shop for a sapphire ring, you should remember that each stone has its own personality and is tailored to the unique person wearing it (and it makes for a great birthday gift as well).
If you plan to buy a sapphire ring, keep in mind that factors such as quality, grading, and origin of country determine the value of the gemstone. They come in a range of prices and your lifestyle can affect the maintenance of the ring. Whether it is an engagement or a promise ring, choosing a sapphire is a great choice. Just remember what you want to say and how you feel.
There are various factors to consider when buying a sapphire ring. Let us look at each one carefully.
How important is color when selecting a sapphire ring?
Sapphires exist in a variety of colors. Blue sapphire is the most popular, yet you will also find green, yellow, orange, pink, peach, and white sapphires. The value depends on the stone’s vivid saturation and color intensity. Smooth-hued blue sapphires in medium-dark tones command the highest prices per carat, while the orange-pink Padparadscha sapphire is valued for its rarity. If you wish to learn more, look through this article on sapphire color to determine your preference.
How important is clarity for a sapphire?
The clarity of a sapphire tells you its true value, depending on the gem size, origin and overall visibility. An “eye-clean” grading is amongst the highest gradings of clarity and means there are no visible inclusions to the naked eye. Such sapphires are more rare and rather expensive. Inclusions form naturally but can also occur due to enhancements.
While inclusions can reduce a sapphire’s value and price, sometimes they can significantly boost its value. The small inclusions in Kashmir sapphires scatter the light and give the gem its silken appearance. Contrary to belief, the number and type of inclusions are crucial to gauging the beauty and value of a sapphire. You must be on your guard if a sapphire has no inclusions: It could be a synthetic stone or glass imitation.
How do enhancements affect sapphire RINGs and their pricing?
As mentioned, enhancements and treatments can affect the sapphire’s price. Like most gemstones, treated sapphires have improved hue and clarity. While they cost less in price, they are not worthless so you should not rule out buying a sapphire that has been treated. Besides, untreated sapphires are both rare and highly expensive. If you are interested in learning more, you can read about enhancements and treatments to help inform your choice of sapphire.
How do you choose the correct carat size?
The color, luster, and brilliance of a sapphire matters more than size. The stone should be in direct proportion to the size of the ring finger. Remember, the overall ring design and center stone shape can affect it too: A ring design has to factor in the carat size if it is set in a halo or three-stone setting. If you know the person’s preferred ring style, approximate ring size and the center stone shape, choosing the ring carat size will be a piece of cake!
The shape and cut can also affect the size and value of the stone. Certain shapes command higher prices than others do. The gem outline can come in a host of nearly unlimited facet arrangements: You can choose from round, oval, heart, and cushion. If you are interested in learning what shape you prefer, look through this article on different shapes and cuts available for gemstones.
One stone sapphire ring or with accent stones?
Why stop at one sapphire? You can enhance the sapphire ring’s beauty by placing smaller accent stones beside the big gem. A white sapphire pairs perfectly with two blue sapphire accent stones. A blue sapphire will dazzle with two smaller blue sapphire accent stones or diamond accent stones. A pink sapphire haloed with diamonds can dazzle all those who gaze upon it. If you have the budget for it, now is the perfect time to get creative with the design!
which metal goes well with sapphire?
Some metals suit certain colors better. The best metals to consider for a sapphire ring setting are gold, silver, and platinum. All three types will match the different variety of colored sapphires. It boils down to your unique preference. A brilliant blue sapphire set in regal silver evokes grace and beauty. Yellow and pink sapphires atop rose gold conjures romance and white gold ensures character and durability. If gold is not your taste, then you cannot go wrong with platinum. In recent times, platinum has become the popular choice of metal for a sapphire ring.
How to decide between a sapphire engagement ring and a sapphire promise ring
A sapphire promise ring is usually less expensive than a sapphire engagement ring. A promise ring signals a commitment to exclusivity and has a less expensive setting and stone. An engagement ring will have more artisanship and durability since it needs to last a lifetime. A sapphire engagement ring conveys seriousness about building a life together. Whichever ring type you choose, a sapphire is the correct option.
How to care for your sapphire ring
Sapphires are durable and hardy and are only second to diamonds. Even though it requires less maintenance and holds well under regular wear, dirt and grime can dull even the brightest stone.
Avoid wearing it when doing manual work such as cleaning, washing and gardening. You can use warm soap water and a soft brush to clean the sapphire. However, you should avoid soaking it in water, so it is advisable to remove your ring when washing hands and bathing.
Consider getting your sapphire ring professionally cleaned or examined annually and never use harsh detergents or solvents such as paint thinner or alcohol to clean it.
The better you take care of your sapphire ring, the longer it shall retain its glamor.
How much does a sapphire ring cost?
The price of a sapphire ring depends on a host of factors including the stone, setting, the metal and design. The per carat cost of a sapphire gemstone can be as low as $25 or as high as $11,000. You should be prepared to pay anywhere from $400 to $1,200 per carat for a stone of reasonable quality, with higher-quality stone can range from between $800 to $2,000 per carat. The best quality stones, especially where an individual stone is over five carats, they can cost tens of thousands of dollars. However, a beautiful sapphire ring can still be affordable if you do your research. (alternatively, you can also consider other blue stones or tanzanite)
Is a sapphire ring worth the price? Certainly! Sapphires are rare, high quality and extremely beautiful. They can sparkle and dazzle when worn on your beloved’s hand, and signals intent to commit for life.
In our view, the question isn’t if you want to buy a sapphire ring: It’s which one you want to buy.