Sapphires have long been associated with royalty, wisdom, and devotion, making them an elegant and meaningful choice for engagement rings. Whether you’re drawn to their stunning blue hue or the spectrum of colours they offer, sapphires are becoming a popular alternative to traditional diamond engagement rings.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to select the perfect sapphire for your engagement ring at McGowans Jewellers.
Why Choose a Sapphire Engagement Ring?
- Symbolism: Sapphires are known for their deep symbolic meaning—often representing truth, loyalty, and wisdom. Many people choose sapphires because they signify lasting commitment and trust, making them a perfect fit for engagement rings.
- Royal Connection: Sapphires have a rich history with royalty. Princess Diana’s iconic sapphire and diamond cluster engagement ring, now worn by Catherine, Princess of Wales, brought sapphires into the spotlight.
- Unique Beauty: While diamonds have a classic appeal, sapphires offer a unique pop of colour. From deep blue to striking pinks and oranges, there’s a sapphire for every taste. Sapphires provide a non-traditional yet timeless choice for couples seeking something different.
Factors to Consider When Selecting a Sapphire
Choosing the perfect sapphire involves understanding the key factors that affect its quality and appearance. Here’s what to look at:
Colour
Blue sapphires are the most popular, with deep, velvety blues being the most sought-after. However, the term “sapphire” doesn’t just refer to blue; sapphires come in a variety of colours. Sapphires include pink, yellow, green, and purple sapphires. Each hue has its appeal, making it easy to find a sapphire that matches your style.
Cut
The cut of a sapphire determines how much light reflects through the stone, affecting its brilliance and sparkle. Unlike diamonds, sapphires don’t have standardised cuts, so you’ll find a variety of shapes and styles.
Common sapphire cuts include round, oval, cushion, and emerald. If you’re opting for a unique design, custom cuts like pear-shaped or marquise sapphires can add a distinctive flair to your engagement ring.
Clarity
All natural sapphires have some inclusions (internal imperfections). However, a high-quality sapphire should have inclusions that are not visible to the naked eye. Stones with obvious inclusions may appear cloudy or dull. Look for “eye-clean” sapphires, meaning that inclusions are invisible without magnification. These will give the best clarity and sparkle while maintaining the sapphire’s natural beauty.
Carat Weight
Sapphires are denser than diamonds, so a 1-carat sapphire may look smaller than a 1-carat diamond. When choosing the size, balance the carat weight with the stone’s colour and cut.
While larger sapphires can be stunning, you may want to focus on finding a stone with the best colour and clarity. Sometimes a smaller sapphire with excellent qualities can make a more striking engagement ring than a larger, lower-quality stone. Just remember, bigger isn’t always better.
Sapphire vs. Diamond Engagement Rings: A Comparison
Sapphires rank 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them one of the hardest gemstones, second only to diamonds.
This makes them durable and suitable for everyday wear, just like diamonds. Sapphires are generally more affordable than diamonds, especially in larger carat sizes. This gives couples more flexibility in choosing a bigger or higher-quality stone while staying within budget.
While diamonds symbolise eternity and strength, sapphires offer a more personalised meaning, representing loyalty and wisdom. Couples looking for a ring that stands out often choose sapphires for their unique symbolism.
The Band and Setting: Enhancing Your Sapphire
The right band and setting can enhance the beauty of your sapphire and protect it for years to come. Here are some things to consider:
- Solitaire: A single sapphire in a minimalist setting allows the stone to shine on its own.
- Metal: White gold and platinum are popular choices for blue sapphires, as they create a sleek, modern look. Yellow or rose gold can give a more vintage or romantic feel, particularly with pink or yellow sapphires.
- Vintage-Inspired: Intricate metalwork and shoulder details pair beautifully with sapphires, offering a timeless, antique look.
- Cluster: Surrounding the sapphire with a halo cluster of diamonds can increase the ring’s brilliance and make the sapphire appear larger.
Personalisation and Customisation
For couples seeking something unique, customising a sapphire engagement ring is a perfect option. Here’s how you can personalize your ring:
- Unique design: Visit a specialist jeweller to discover a one-of-a-kind ring that incorporates your style, whether that’s a specific sapphire cut, a meaningful engraving, or a vintage/antique design.
- Pair with diamonds or other gemstones: Sapphires pair beautifully with diamonds or other coloured gemstones. Consider one with diamond accents or choose a two-stone ring to symbolise the connection between you and your partner.
Your next steps…
Choosing a sapphire engagement ring is about finding a balance between beauty, durability, and personal meaning. By considering factors such as the 4C’s, colour, cut, clarity, and carat, you can find the perfect stone that reflects your unique relationship. Sapphires offer a distinctive alternative to diamonds and come with a rich history and beautiful symbolism.
For expert guidance, and one-of-a-kind products, or to view a wide range of stunning sapphire rings, visit us at McGowans Jewellers in Glasgow’s famous Argyll Arcade or contact us at info@mcgowansjeweller.com to learn more about our personalisation services.
If you want to hear more from McGowans, sign up for our email newsletter here to receive the latest news and updates.
