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The Timeless Elegance of Unique Sapphire Engagement Rings

May 15, 2023

Custom unique engagement rings have become very popular again in recent years, and for good reason. These beautiful and bright gems are a special and meaningful alternative to diamonds. In this article, we’ll examine why sapphire engagement rings are so attractive and why they might be the right jewellery for your bride-to-be.

The History and Symbolism of Sapphires

Since ancient times, people have loved sapphires for their beauty and mystery. In the past, they have been linked to royalty and divine favour because their deep blue colour reminds people of the heavens. People used to think that sapphires possessed different powers, like the ability to heal illnesses, protect against witchcraft, and even tell the secrets of oracles. 

Sapphires were very important to European royalty and the clergy, who thought they brought divine favour and stood for purity, wisdom, and heavenly blessings. Sapphires exemplify lifelong commitment because they stand for wisdom, virtue, and good fortune.

 

The Unique and Diverse Beauty of Sapphires

Like other gemstones, sapphires are often judged by the “Four Cs”: colour, clarity, cut, and carat weight. However, a sapphire’s origin, treatment, and durability also significantly impact its value. If you are looking for custom engagement rings in Melbourne, here are a few things to consider:

 

Colour

The most important thing about a sapphire’s beauty and value is its colour. Even though blue sapphires are the most popular, these beautiful stones also come in pink, yellow, green, and even white. This wide range of colours lets you choose a sapphire engagement ring that really shows off your partner’s style and personality.

In general, colours with more depth and saturation are considered more valuable. Its hue should be the same and evenly spread throughout the stone. Its saturation–a measure of how intense or pure its colour is–should be as high as possible. 

 

Clarity

Sapphires usually have some flaws, but they are usually less noticeable than flaws in emeralds. The value of a sapphire increases with fewer visible flaws. When looking at the clarity of sapphire, you should think about how the number, size, and location of any inclusions affect the stone’s overall look.

 

Cut

The way sapphire is cut greatly affects how beautiful and valuable it is as a whole. A well-cut sapphire will show off its colour best, have the fewest flaws, and sparkle and shine the brightest. The oval, cushion, and round are all popular cuts. You only need to look at the stone’s symmetry, proportions, and polish to determine how well it was cut.

 

Carat Weight

A sapphire’s value is based on how big it is, which is measured in carats. Most of the time, larger sapphires are rarer and worth more than smaller ones, but it’s essential to think about the quality of the gemstone and its size. A smaller sapphire with excellent colour and clarity may be worth more than a larger one with pale colour or many flaws.

 

Origin

Where a sapphire originated from can affect how much it is worth. Some of the most valuable sapphires are found in Kashmir, Burma, and Sri Lanka (Ceylon). Kashmir sapphires are known for their velvety blue colour and are considered the rarest and most expensive. You can also find beautiful sapphires in places like Madagascar, Thailand, and Australia.

 

Treatment

Many sapphires are treated to make them look brighter–heat treatment and lattice diffusion are common ways to treat stones. Heat treatment can make the colour more vibrant and eliminate inclusions. Lattice diffusion involves adding colour-enhancing elements to the surface of the stone. Even though treated sapphires are usually worth less than natural ones, some treatments are more acceptable and cause less damage than others. 

 

Durability

Sapphires are the second hardest natural gemstone after diamonds, rated ten on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Friedrich Mohs, a German mineralogist, created the Mohs scale in 1812. It compares the scratch resistance of a mineral to the hardness of other minerals. The range is from one (talc) to ten (diamond).

With a rating of nine, sapphires are very strong and don’t get scratched easily. Because of this, they are an excellent choice for engagement rings, wedding bands, and other jewellery worn daily. 

 

The Choice of Royalty and Celebrities

Sapphire engagement rings have been linked to royalty and high society. The sapphire engagement ring that Princess Diana once wore and that Kate Middleton now wears may be the most well-known one. It’s an oval blue Ceylon sapphire that weighs twelve carats and is the most beautiful part of Princess Diana’s engagement ring. This gem is known for having a deep, velvety blue colour and a very clear look. A halo of fourteen single diamonds surrounds the sapphire–this adds to the beauty of the stone and gives it more sparkle. 

These gemstones are not just reserved for royalty, but also high-society figures. Victoria Beckham, a well-known fashion icon, once received a collection of beautiful engagement rings from David Beckham. Javier Bardem famously gave actress Penélope Cruz a sapphire engagement ring with a vintage look.

 

In Summary

 

In a world where diamond engagement rings are the norm, you can make a unique and memorable statement with a sapphire ring. A sapphire engagement ring shows that your relationship is as unique and colourful as this gemstone.

If you are looking for the perfect, timeless engagement ring such as a unique emerald ring design, visit Holloway Diamonds to speak to our experts!

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