The Many Shades of Sapphire Engagement Rings

For centuries, beautiful blue sapphires have been chosen as a symbol of love, commitment and faithfulness, decorating the fingers of brides-to-be all over the world. The vibrance of the navy shade is adored for its sophisticated demeanor and chic, luxurious appeal. 

But, blue isn’t the only shade of sapphire. In fact, the precious gemstone is available in an array of colours, including pink, green, yellow, orange and more. Therefore, when it comes to a sapphire engagement ring, couples are left with a wide selection of choices, which allows them to find one that is perfectly suited to them. 

How many shades of sapphire are there?

Sapphires are formed in a range of colours, and can be found in just about any shade including yellow, pink orange, green, blue and more. The only colour a sapphire cannot be is red, as those are rubies. With such a wide variety of colours available, there is always a perfect sapphire out there to suit every personality and style. 

What is the most rare colour of sapphire?

The two rarest shades of sapphire are padparadscha, which is a unique mix of pink and orange, and cornflower blue. Both are incredibly beautiful which adds to their desirability and unique nature. The popularity of padparadscha sapphires continues to increase, with the likes of Princess Eugenie sporting a padparadscha sapphire engagement ring back in 2018. There are no signs of the trend slowing, either!

What colour of sapphire is most expensive?

The most expensive and prized sapphires are Kashmir sapphires which are a bright, vivid, velvety blue. Kashmir sapphires are mined from the mountains in Kashmir, India. The last mined Kashmir sapphire was in 1927, as the mines closed shortly after. Today, Kashmir sapphires are rarely seen on the market as most are owned by collectors and museums. 

Blue sapphire engagement rings 

A blue sapphire is by far the most popular choice for an engagement ring. As the most common and classic colour of the precious stone, couples yearning for tradition and timelessness are offered a chic and luxurious style of ring, which will never tire or go out of fashion. 

Interestingly, in its purest state, the rock which sapphire is extracted from, corundum, is colourless. However, when trace elements of other minerals interfere with the formation process, rocks begin to take on various colours. 

Blue sapphires are formed when there are trace elements of iron and titanium in the rock’s composition. Depending on the amount of each element present at the time of formation, shades of blue differ. The more of these elements there are, the deeper and darker the shade of blue. And it is these deeper, royal blue shades of sapphire that are most sought after and therefore, valuable. 

Proving just how desirable these sapphire stones are, they have long been used in jewellery for royal families across the world. From the maharajas of India, to the British monarchy, sapphires have taken prime position in some of the finest jewellery collections. One of the most recent pieces includes the sapphire engagement ring gifted to Kate Middleton, which just so happened to be the same ring worn by Princess Diana. 

Today, sapphire engagement rings are adored by all types of brides-to-be. From those seeking something chic and luxurious, to those wanting a unique alternative to the classic diamond. Styles also range from vintage inspired sapphire cluster engagement rings, right through to three stone styles which showcase the very best of both diamonds and the precious blue stone. 

What is the best shade of blue sapphire?

The best shade for a blue sapphire is an intense, deep blue, or royal blue. This colour is considered AAA quality which accounts for its hue, vivacity, and undertone. This AAA grade accounts for just 2% of all naturally mined gemstones. If you’re shopping for a blue sapphire, look out for the hue which should be a deep blue, and an even saturation throughout the gem. Blue sapphires that have a grey undertone would not be considered AAA quality, and neither would those that have a dark and opaque blue hue.

Pink sapphire engagement rings

Pink sapphires are formed in the exact same way as blue sapphires, although, instead of containing trace elements of iron and titanium, it is the presence of chromium which gives the rock its rosy hue. 

When set on an engagement ring, a pink sapphire adds an essence of romance and femininity to the overall design. For this reason, pink sapphire engagement rings are popular among brides-to-be who seek something a little out of the ordinary, but still incredibly beautiful and stylish.

The rosy toned stones pair perfectly with every metal, particularly bright and lustrous silver types, including white gold and platinum. Although, pink sapphires are best suited to rose gold rings, whereby the warm, pinkish tones perfectly complement each other to create a womanly style.

Yellow sapphire engagement rings 

Yellow sapphires get their colour from the presence of iron during the formation process. The warm, yellow colour of these gemstones adds a unique glow to an engagement ring, which is a favoured alternative to cool toned blue sapphires or traditional white diamonds. 

On the finger, the yellow hue is reminiscent of warm, happy memories, which is another reason it is a popular choice for engagement rings. It provides the wearer with a constant reminder of the special moment of the proposal. 

Yellow sapphires pair well with all metal types, including lustrous white gold and platinum rings, as well as warm golden designs, creating a style with an overall glow. 

For some time now, yellow diamonds have become a desirable choice for engagement rings, although often priced higher than other options. Therefore, a yellow sapphire offers a suitable alternative within a more affordable budget. 

White sapphire engagement rings

In their purest form, sapphires are technically colourless, or white. These white sapphires resemble diamonds, and so are often chosen as an alternative in engagement ring designs. This is because sapphires are priced more affordably than diamonds, offering cost conscious couples a beautiful and high quality option for their special piece of jewellery. 

Although, there are a few small differences between white sapphires and diamonds. Firstly, white sapphires tend to have a more grey or cloudy appearance, whereas the highest quality diamonds are truly colourless. Diamonds are also renowned for their unique brilliance and fire, which is not as apparent or intense in other precious gemstones. However, if transparency and brilliance are things you think you can sacrifice, a white sapphire provides a durable, cost-effective substitute for a diamond engagement ring. 

Naturally, it is rare for sapphires to be completely colourless. However, stones can be heat treated in order to reach a white shade, or they can be man made under controlled conditions, just like our laboratory grown diamonds.

The many shades of sapphire offer individuals a way to truly express their own style and personality through their choice of engagement ring. For more diamond alternative engagement ring styles, browse our full collection of coloured gemstone designs online and in store today.