SPONSORED LINKS
Known for its strength, versatility, and lustrous beauty, the magnificent sapphire may be just what you're looking for. When seeking your sapphire engagement ring, there are a few things you should know about the stone before purchasing an engagement ring with sapphires.
Say "sapphire," and most people think of the color blue. Since the Middle Ages, sapphires have been highly regarded as symbols of purity, partly because of this color. Blue is widely associated with loyalty and trust, as in "true blue."
For those who prefer warmer hues, sapphire variations exist in a wide range of colors - nearly every color, in fact, except red. (There are red sapphires, too, but we call those rubies.) Non-blue sapphires are referred to as "fancy."
The rarest (and most costly) sapphires are those of a velvety, intense, medium-range blue. Also rare is the exotic, pink-tinged orange padparadsha, meaning "lotus colored." White sapphires have become popular as diamond look-alikes. Synthetic sapphires are available today in many colors.
Gemstones are rated for hardness on a scale from one to ten. Diamonds score at the top, while sapphires, at nine, run a close second. Sapphires are less likely to chip than diamonds. Because a ring setting provides the riskiest environment for a gemstone in terms of chips and scratches, the durable sapphire is a wise choice.
Except for bi-colored, tri-colored, or multi-colored varieties, sapphires should show a uniform color. Examine a stone by natural daylight, if possible, as well as by various types of artificial lighting. A very dark blue sapphire will appear almost black in a low-light setting, while a softer blue can retain its dazzle even at dusk.
Hold the sapphire toward the sun so the light passes through it. (Do NOT look directly at the sun through the gem!) A fine-quality sapphire will be clear. Any blotches, clouds, bubbles, or cracks you may see indicate a flawed gem. These flaws are called "inclusions." Even the best sapphires may contain them, but they will be visible only under a microscope.
Sometimes jewelers can melt away flaws with heat treatments. Sapphires are often heated to permanently enhance their color. Heating is a common practice and, if done properly, will not diminish the value of a gem.
"Fire" refers to the flash which results when light refracts, or bends, as it enters a gemstone. An intense effect of this kind can increase a gem's value.
Some sapphires are cut into faceted shapes, others are cut en cabochon (in a domed shape). Too shallow or too deep a cut will cause light to leak out the sides of the stone instead of being reflected. Check to make sure facets are symmetrical.
Star sapphires contain an unusually high number of invisible-to-the-eye, needle-like inclusions. These are not considered flaws. When a star sapphire is cut en cabochon, and viewed at just the right angle, reflected light causes a six-rayed star to project across the top of the stone.
The most usual size for cut sapphires is from one to five carats. Larger stones are available, but their greater bulk makes them more apt to be bumped against things and damaged.
A good ring setting will display your sapphire to its best advantage while offering some protection against damage or loss. A prong-style setting allows maximum light to reach the lower parts of a gem and reflect back to the eye, but a bezel setting is more secure. A delicate setting can make a small sapphire appear larger.
Above all, the sapphire engagement ring should fit well and feel comfortable on your finger, with no burrs or sharp edges to snag your clothes. Whatever color or style you choose, you will treasure your engagement ring with sapphires for years and years to come.