Blue Sapphire: All you need to know!
Blue sapphires are one of our all time favourites at Diamond Boutique; we thought it’s only fair to dedicate an entire blog to this darling gemstone.
About Blue Sapphires:
The name "sapphire" comes from the Greek word "sappherios," which translates to the blue hue of the rock lapis lazuli. Sapphire is not only the birthstone for September but also the traditional wedding anniversary gift for the 5th and 45th years.
When Prince William proposed with a blue sapphire ring, he sparked a growing trend amongst couples searching for coloured gemstone rings. These royal blue rocks have been valued for generations as symbols of good fortune, protection against evil, and wisdom.
Buying Blue Sapphire Engagement Rings:
If you’re shopping for blue sapphire engagement rings one of the most important factors is the colour. Ideally the colour of the stone needs too have a balance between the hue, tone, and saturation. The closer you can get to a “true” blue hue, the more expensive and desirable the sapphire becomes, often referred to as “Royal Blue”
The tone of a stone refers to how light or dark the color is with the range going from very light to very dark. We recommend you look within the medium to dark range. As for saturation, this describes how vibrant the colour is, where the most desirable sapphires will have vivid colour. It is important to note that highly saturated stones will have a very dark colour.
Another thing you should keep in mind is the cut of the stone. It is a very important factor to showcase the sapphire’s colour, fire and brilliance. A well-cut sapphire should be symmetrical. The most common shapes of sapphires are ovals, rounds, cushions, and emerald cuts. They reflect the light at the best angles, enhancing the stone’s luster.
Don’t forget to check the carat weight! With a grade 9 on the Mohs scale, sapphires are a durable stone, second to diamonds. Since sapphires are usually heavier, it is more accurate to measure the size of a sapphire in millimeters. If you are going for an oval shape we recommend a 7x5mm and if you’re opting for a round cut we suggest a 6x6mm.