Stunning blue sapphire rings have decorated the fingers of soon-to-be brides for centuries. The unique deep blue gem has been celebrated and adored for being a symbol of love, which is why you can find various vintage sapphire rings in Ireland.
But did you know that Sapphire rings come in more colours than just blue?
Hence, couples have a wide variety of colours to choose from in terms of this precious gemstone besides the quintessential blue shade. Paul Sheeran Jewellers designs the best unique engagement rings with the Sapphire gemstone that are nothing short of being chic and luxurious.
If you want to learn more about our stunning sapphire engagement rings, we have compiled the top 10 most notable facts about them.
- They Come in Various Shades
The most common, classic, and traditional shade is undoubtedly blue. However, as mentioned earlier, Sapphire rings come in more than just blue hues. They can be found in pink, orange, green, purple and even black. The rock from which Sapphire is extracted is colourless. However, interactions with other minerals may change their colour.
Blue colours are formed when there are trace elements of titanium and iron. Another element that can influence the shade of Sapphire is chromium, which is responsible for turning the gem shades of pink. If there is no interference of elements in the stone, the colour will be pure white.
- They Have a Rich History
Sapphire engagement rings and the gemstone itself have been popular and treasured by many for hundreds of years. The popularity of Sapphire dates back to the Middle Ages. It has always been associated with luxury, opulence, and nobility since it was only reserved for royalty up until the 17th century. The Indians, Greeks, and Persians cherished Sapphire during ancient times when they were used as protection against evil.
- Besides Diamond, They Are One of the Most Durable Precious Gemstones
We all know that a naturally occurring element that is most durable is diamond. In fact, they have a score of 10 out of 10 on the Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness. However, after diamonds, the second most durable gemstone is Sapphire. It has a score of 9 out of 10 on the Mohs scale. This is why Sapphire engagement rings have been a popular alternative to diamond engagement rings in Ireland.
- Exhibit Unique Features
Some sapphires exhibit unique and stunning features that make them highly expensive, rare and sought after by collectors. One such notable feature is the ‘star effect.’ This is caused when the inclusions within the crystal create a pattern of light right on top of the gemstone’s surface. This pattern is similar to a star.
- Weigh More Than Diamond
Sapphires have a higher specific gravity level than diamonds, meaning they are denser than diamonds. Therefore a 1-carat sapphire and a 1-carat diamond would be different sizes and have different weights. The Most Popular Sapphire Engagement Ring Shape is Oval.
- The Most Popular Sapphire Engagement Ring Shape is Oval
Rough sapphire stones are usually cut into an oval, so most sapphire engagement rings sport an oval shape. This is mainly because this cut allows the crystal to sparkle to its full potential. This shape also helps to maintain the colour of the crystal and maximize its weight.
- It Shares Striking Similarities with Ruby
Since Sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum, it shares striking similarities with rubies in terms of mineral structure and chemical composition. In fact, due to this, they are entirely the same, and differ only in their colours, which are caused by the difference in trace elements within them. This is why sapphires don’t come in red, they are simply known as rubies instead.
- One of the Most Famous Engagement Rings Is the Sapphire
There are several famous sapphires that have been popular for years. These include the Rockefeller Sapphire, Star of India, and the Logan Blue Sapphire. However, undoubtedly the most famous engagement ring made from Sapphire is the one worn by Princess Diana, which is now worn by Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton. Many consider the oval-shaped, 12-carat sapphire engagement ring the most famous ring of our time.
- They Are Highly Scratch-Resistant
Besides being highly durable, sapphire engagement rings are also known to be quite scratch-resistant. The only material that is stronger and can scratch a sapphire is the diamond. For this reason, sapphire engagement rings are an understandably popular choice for everyday jewellery and engagement rings.
- It Is One of the Most Expensive Gemstone Rings
Sapphire is indeed one of the most expensive gemstones out there, second to diamond. However, the exact price of a sapphire engagement ring depends on several factors. The most important one is the colour. The more profound and saturated the blue colour is, the more expensive it will likely be. Another factor that adds to its high value is the fact that the sapphire gemstone is mined in large carat sizes at a time.
Final Words
In Ireland we absolutely adore Sapphire. This is why they have a wide selection of halo sapphire, and diamond engagement rings to choose from. If you want to buy your sweetheart a sapphire engagement ring or want to add a sapphire piece to your collection, jewellery shops in Ireland would love to help bring that dream into reality.
