Sapphire Buying Guide
Sapphire Buying Guide
Identify & Design Your Perfect Vintage Sapphire Ring
Discover antique engagement rings and design a custom vintage sapphire and diamond ring with timeless elegance.
Ethically Sourced | Conflict-Free | Shipped Direct
Our blue sapphire engagement rings feature exquisite filigree & milgrain details. Work with our experts to create a one-of-a-kind piece.
The Beauty of Sapphire
The "celestial" sapphire, symbolizing truth, health, and purity, is also the September birthstone. Sourced from Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Kenya, its brilliance and durability make it an exceptional choice for fine jewelry.
Shop with Confidence
Understanding sapphire quality ensures you choose the best. Print this guide for a stress-free shopping experience!
Sapphire Color: A Symbol of Elegance
The finest sapphires are prized for their rich blue hue, with Burmese and Kashmiri sapphires being the closest to a pure spectral blue. Ceylon (Sri Lankan) sapphires offer a stunning, often pastel-toned blue, known for its brilliance and charm.
Looking for the perfect sapphire? Choose a shade that reflects your style and elegance!
Sapphire Clarity & Saturation: What to Know
Clarity: Refers to the absence of internal flaws. While all sapphires have inclusions, darker sapphires hide them better, while lighter ones reveal more. The jewelry industry prefers moderately included sapphires, which we proudly offer.
Saturation: When evaluating a sapphire's color, remember that saturation (or intensity, as AGL calls it) measures its purity and vividness. The less brown or gray present, the more vibrant the sapphire appears. For a stunning example of high saturation, consider our 512 custom-made unique heart blue sapphire center stone and Heart diamond accent three-stone engagement ring, designed to showcase a truly vibrant blue.
Choose a sapphire with the perfect balance of clarity and saturation for a truly stunning piece!
Sapphire Education
Sapphire Cut, Size & Value: What to Look For
Cut: A well-cut sapphire enhances its color depth and brilliance. Poor cutting can make a stone appear too dark or dull. We offer expertly cut sapphires in rings, earrings, and bracelets.
Size: Measured in millimeters (length, width, or diameter), not just carats. Our sapphires are not cut deep to add weight—they’re crafted for maximum size and beauty.
Enhancements: Heat treatment is a standard industry practice to enhance color. Unheated sapphires are rare and highly valuable.
Value: The most prized sapphires are well-cut, cornflower blue, and minimally included.
Color Judging: Sapphire buying simplified: color, clarity, cut, and value tips for finding your perfect gem. Remember, GIA & AGL define color using hue, tone, and saturation. Look for rich, vivid blues over dull or muddy shades for the best quality. Consider our custom-made, unique round yellow sapphire center stone and trillion diamond accents three-stone engagement ring, showcasing exceptional color and craftsmanship.
Find the perfect sapphire with exceptional brilliance and value!
Sapphire Factors
Sapphire Tone & Hue: Understanding Color Depth
Tone: Defines how light or dark a sapphire appears. It ranges from colorless to black, with categories like light-medium, medium, medium-dark, and dark. We prefer and offer medium-tone sapphires for the perfect balance of depth and brilliance.
Hue: When selecting a sapphire, understand that hue refers to its dominant color. While blue is classic, sapphires can display secondary hues like green, yellow, or violet, with Australian sapphires often showing a green tint. To see this principle in action, consider our custom-made 289 unique oval blue sapphire center stone and round diamond accent three-stone engagement ring, showcasing a beautiful dominant blue hue with potential subtle undertones.
Key Factors in Sapphire Quality
Cut & Color: A well-proportioned cut enhances both color intensity and tone. A shallow cut can boost color saturation, while deep cuts may darken the stone unnecessarily.
Inclusions & Tone: Lighter sapphires reveal more inclusions, while darker tones help hide them. Choosing a medium to dark-tone sapphire ensures both beauty and clarity.
A masterfully cut sapphire brings out its natural brilliance, making it a stunning choice for fine jewelry!