A sapphire engagement ring speaks of enternal loyalty and devotion. Sapphires come from the Corundum family, and they are considered second in hardness to diamonds. The sapphire is symbolic of faithfulness, and this beautiful stone makes an exquisite and unique engagement ring.
The most desirable and valuable color for a sapphire is a deep, royal blue. The color should not change in varying light. You don't have to stick with blue, however, to enjoy a beautiful sapphire. There are several fancy sapphires featuring other colors.
Padparadscha - This rare and expensive sapphire is a pink-orange color. The stone should have both colors evident to be considered this type of fancy sapphire.
Sapphire Clarity
Bezel set sapphire and diamond ring.
Most gemstones, including sapphires, have some type of flaw or inclusion. Be particularly careful of buying any sapphire with a feather inclusion. A feather is a crack that may travel from the center of the stone to the outside, and the stone could crack sometime in the future. Be sure that any of the other inclusions do not inhibit the overall color and clarity of the stone. You want the color to be uniform and virtually transparent. The exterior of the stone may have small blemishes, such as cuts and nicks. This isn't uncommon, and as long as they don't stand out, it shouldn't affect the quality of the stone.
Star Sapphires
The one inclusion that many people actually want to see in a sapphire is a star. It should be centered in the stone, and its six rays should branch out to the edges of the sapphire creating a starburst illusion.
Sapphire Cut
The most common sapphire cuts are oval and round shapes. Round sapphires are generally more expensive than ovals, so be sure you compare shapes and not just stones before you buy. The most important goal of a good cut is to keep everything so well proportioned that the color is as brilliant as possible.
Sapphire Engagement Ring Pricing
Just as with diamonds, pricing of sapphire engagement rings can vary greatly. Color is a very important indication of value, but clarity and carat weight are also factors. A sapphire that is a vivid royal blue and a half carat will be more expensive than a three-quarter carat yellow sapphire.
Sapphire Engagement Ring Disclosures
Remember, a stone that is referred to as created or cultured is a synthetic stone that has been created in a laboratory. It is not a natural sapphire. If the stone is simply made of glass, it is considered a fake or imitation, and these are usually easy to spot. You will probably want to purchase a larger, more expensive sapphire as a loose stone, so that you can inspect it more thoroughly. Closed backings such as channel or flush settings can hide serious flaws. Finally, be sure you ask your jeweler about any treatments or inclusions that the stone has, and have him certify those in writing for appraisal and insurance purposes.
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