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Why buy a sapphire as an engagement ring

Many stones fall under the category of precious or semi-precious, but the sapphire is one of the best-known of all. Its beauty, rarity, and durability are astonishing. Just like ruby, sapphire consists of the mineral corundum. The sky-blue colour is the result of contaminated iron particles in the stone. To the question, "What does a sapphire look like?", most people would answer, "Like a sky-blue gemstone". 

Although the colour is typical (previously all blue gemstones were called sapphires, blue diamonds as well), there are also yellow, orange, and purple sapphires. The blue variant is certainly the most popular and most valuable. But why is buying an expensive sapphire engagement ring so enticing, and what is the history and meaning behind this special stone? In this article, we'll focus on the allure and significance of the blue sapphire.

 

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Why is a sapphire engagement ring a timeless choice?

Looking for an engagement ring with history, beauty, and durability? The sapphire might be your perfect choice. While most associate sapphires with their striking sky-blue color, these corundum gems also come in yellow, orange, and purple varieties. Sapphires rank 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them extremely durable for everyday wear.

These gems have adorned royalty throughout history, most famously in Princess Diana's engagement ring now worn by Kate Middleton. When selecting a sapphire, consider the 4 Cs: color intensity, clarity, cut, and carat weight. The most valuable sapphires come from Kashmir, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.

At BAUNAT, you'll find high-quality sapphire engagement rings at competitive prices thanks to direct sourcing. Whether you choose a ready-made design or create a custom piece, a sapphire ring offers both timeless elegance and meaningful symbolism of wisdom and good fortune.

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Introduction to the world of blue sapphires

Sapphires are stunning gemstones that have captivated people for centuries. The name "sapphire" comes from the Greek word "sappheiros," which refers to blue gemstones. Unlike blue diamonds, sapphires belong to the corundum mineral family and are renowned for their rich blue colour, which ranges from pale to deep, vivid hues. Sapphires symbolise wisdom, virtue, and good fortune, making them a meaningful choice for engagement rings. Known as the "royal precious stone," sapphires have adorned the jewellery of many royal families, including the famous engagement ring worn by Princess Diana, now worn by Kate Middleton.

How does a sapphire differ from a blue diamond?

The most striking difference is their composition: blue diamonds are made of pure carbon with a blue hue due to boron impurities, while blue sapphires are made of corundum with traces of titanium and iron giving them their colour. Both gemstones are incredibly hard, with diamonds scoring a 10 and sapphires a 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them both excellent choices for engagement rings in terms of durability.

Three famous sapphire rings

Due to their beautiful blue colour, sapphire rings are sometimes sold for incredible prices. And yet, it is not only the colour that is important, but the history of sapphires also plays a role. Here are three famous sapphires from history:
Napoleon’s famous sapphire engagement ring in toi & moi design showcasing a pear-shaped sapphire mirrored to a stunning diamond

  • Napoleon’s sapphire engagement ring: the ring that Napoleon gave to Josephine is set with a spectacular pear-shaped sapphire and diamond in a mirror image. This sapphire ring in a Toi & Moi design is an ideal engagement ring. The ring was sold at auction for $1.17 million in 2013.

  • Stuart Sapphire: The Stuart Sapphire is one of the precious stones decorating the English Crown Jewels. This sapphire has a rather turbulent history. Its location was often unknown throughout history. Nonetheless, it was taken to France after the Glorious Revolution in 1688. In 1807, the stone returned to the United Kingdom from Italy. Today, the Stuart Sapphire can be seen in the Tower of London.


  • The Blue Belle of Asia: this unique precious stone was sold for $17 million in 2014. It broke the record for the most expensive sapphire in the world sold at a public auction. It was bought in 1937 as a gift for Queen Elizabeth II for her coronation. However, the Queen never received it. The necklace the sapphire is set in is now part of the private collection of a Saudi collector.
close-up of a hand showcasing a ring featuring a beautiful blue sapphire stoneWith its intense blue appearance, the sapphire is perfect as an accent for an engagement ring. Wedding jewellery with sapphires has gained popularity since Kate Middleton was gi

Choosing a sapphire for your engagement ring

With its intense blue appearance, the sapphire is perfect as an accent for an engagement ring. Wedding jewellery with sapphires has gained popularity since Kate Middleton was given Lady Diana’s sapphire engagement ring in 2010. You could also choose this timeless and contemporary jewellery as a gift.
Would you like to buy a sapphire engagement ring? Then, there are a few things to consider.

The 4 C’s of quality

While the 4 C's — Colour, Clarity, Cut, and Carat Weight — are often associated with diamonds, they are equally crucial when assessing the quality of sapphires. Understanding these factors can help you select a sapphire that truly stands out in terms of beauty and value.


  • Colour intensity: the colour intensity of a sapphire largely determines its value. The deeper and more vivid the blue, the more valuable the sapphire is.

  • Clarity: the clarity of the sapphire, or the number of inclusions (internal flaws), affects its appearance and value. Fewer inclusions generally mean a higher-quality stone.

  • Cut: The cut of the sapphire is crucial, as it enhances the stone's colour and brilliance. An expert gem cutter will consider the direction of the crystal structure to maximise the stone's beauty.

  • Carat weight: carat weight measures the size of the sapphire, and it plays a crucial role in determining the overall value of the gemstone. Generally, sapphires are available in various carat weights, with larger stones being more rare and therefore more expensive. However, it's essential to balance carat weight with quality factors such as colour and clarity. A well-cut sapphire that is slightly smaller may outshine a larger stone if it has superior colour intensity and minimal inclusions. When selecting a sapphire engagement ring, consider your partner's preferences; some may favour a striking, larger stone, while others might appreciate the elegance of a more modestly sized gem.

Origin

The origin of the sapphire can also be significant. While blue sapphires can be found in various regions such as eastern Australia, China, Thailand, and East Africa, the highest quality sapphires traditionally come from Kashmir, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. The most expensive sapphire, the Star of Adam, and the sapphires in the British Crown Jewels were mined on this island in the Indian Ocean.

Reputable jeweller

Purchase your sapphire engagement ring from a reputable jeweller like BAUNAT, known for their high-quality gemstones and exceptional craftsmanship.
a woman proudly shows off her wedding ring with a stunning blue sapphire for which she paid a high price

What’s the blue sapphire its price?

All through human history, sapphires were always especially sought after because of their unique beauty. The stones decorated the robes of nobles and the crowns of kings. Sapphires are not only divinely beautiful but also quite rare. They are often used as an alternative to ultra-expensive blue diamonds, although they are also valuable themselves. The colour and size ultimately determine what is paid for a specific sapphire.

Top quality blue sapphire engagement rings in the UK at BAUNAT

Now that you have all the information, you can decide if a sapphire engagement ring or sapphire jewellery is right for you. The sparkle and significance of these beautiful precious stones are almost unparalleled. But when it comes time to buy a blue sapphire engagement ring in the UK, why is BAUNAT the right choice?

Our experts only work with the highest-quality materials. You can trust that your sapphire ring will be of the very best quality. We also buy our precious stones directly from the source, avoiding unnecessary intermediaries, which lets us sell our jewellery online for 30-50% cheaper. At BAUNAT, you’ll find the best price/quality.
Still can’t decide which sapphire engagement ring to buy? BAUNAT’s jewellery experts are always available to help you make the right choice to suit your style.

You could also consider having your sapphire ring custom-made. Working with our experts, you can design the item of jewellery entirely how you wish. BAUNAT provides a 3D drawing so you can see what your jewellery will look like beforehand.

Find out more about other precious stones

There is so much more to discover about sapphires and other precious stones or precious metals. To learn more about jewellery, check out our expert blog articles below:

Frequently asked Questions

What is the symbolism of sapphires?

The beautiful colour is one reason to buy a sapphire engagement ring, but the symbolism could also be a deciding factor. The meaning behind sapphires differs from one civilisation to the next. Some people believed that a blue sapphire protected someone against magic and witchcraft.

Discover our sapphire rings now

Others believed that the precious stone gave one strength, honour, virtue, and immortality. The sapphire also stood for wealth and prevented arguments. Today, sapphires are mainly thought to symbolise truth, love, purity, and sincerity.

The sapphire’s sky-blue colour is the reason the stone has been attributed so many powers. Alternative healers believe that sapphires contain energetic and healing properties. In India, they were convinced that blue sapphires could open the third eye and were the point for accessing exceptional wisdom and insight. When the ancient Greeks consulted the Oracle of Delphi, they always had a blue sapphire with them. The sapphire’s sky-blue colour is one reason that the sapphire is believed to have spiritual properties.

The sapphire’s sky-blue colour is one reason that the sapphire is believed to have spiritual properties. 

The Bible also mentions sapphires. Sapphires supposedly encourage feelings of deep devotion and a peaceful soul. Sapphire jewellery was and still is very popular among spiritualists for this reason. They wear the stone as a symbol of heaven. In the 12th century, Pope Innocent III instructed his bishops to wear a gold ring with a sapphire to get closer to the spiritual truth and stay virtuous. Some Christians refer to the star sapphire as the Stone of Destiny: the star’s three crossbars stand for Faith, Hope and Destiny. They used the sapphire as a talisman on journeys to protect them against illness, the Evil Eye, and demons.

Why is the blue sapphire often called a 'royal precious stone'?

Sapphires have always been popular due to their astonishing beauty. According to Jewish tradition, the ten commandments were carved in sapphire. The reference to heaven is probably not a coincidence but due to the admiration for cornflower blue. It was probably for the same reason that Greece chose sapphire as its national stone. People with royal blood, nobility and spiritualists had their cloaks decorated with blue sapphires. It was a symbol of wealth and power, and the stones were also said to protect them against jealousy and deceitfulness. According to legend, Helen of Troy owned a star sapphire. Napoleon gave his wife Josephine a seven-part set of jewellery with 29 sapphires.

Sapphires decorated the clothes and jewellery of many kings and queens. 

The British Royal Family has a particular penchant for sapphires. Two gorgeous sapphires, the Saint Edward and the Stuart, are part of the British Crown Jewels. And many will still remember Lady Diana’s stunning and very expensive sapphire engagement ring, now worn by Kate Middleton.

This royal engagement ring is white gold 18-carat ring set with a 12-carat blue oval sapphire surrounded by 14 small diamonds. The ring stayed in the family after Diana’s death and William proposed to Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, with the blue sapphire ring. So why not buy a sapphire engagement ring for your loved one to solidify a royal touch?

Diana also had other blue sapphire jewellery. As such, Kate is now the owner of a gorgeous pair of sapphire earrings. The pair matched her sapphire engagement ring and were part of a wedding gift from King Fahd of Saudi Arabia.

Which month has the sapphire as its birthstone?

According to tradition, every month has a birthstone. So, it is still a lovely gesture to gift a loved one jewellery containing their birthstone.

Sapphire is the birthstone for people born in September. So, if your future spouse was born in this month, then buying a sapphire engagement ring would be a great choice.

Discover this Toi & Moi engagement ring now

Sapphire is also the birthstone of the star signs of Aries and Virgo. In Chinese astrology, it is the birthstone of the Tiger. Astrologists associate the blue sapphire with the planet of Venus. That is why the precious stone represents Friday, the day associated with Venus. So, all of these would be perfect reasons for buying a sapphire engagement ring.

How are blue sapphires used?

In the Middle Ages, people still fiercely believed in blue sapphires' healing properties. As such, Charles V is said to have had a sapphire ring with which he touched people’s eyes to heal them.

According to alternative healers, sapphires have spiritual and healing properties. 

A more worldly application can be found in industry because of its hardness. Sapphires have proven useful in infrared concepts, durable windows, glass for wristwatches, micro-electronics, smartphone screens and bullet-proof glass.

  • Sofie Kuppens

  • BAUNAT Antwerp

  • “Logistics Champion”, which is the title Sofie was awarded with in 2018, leads and supervises the processing of orders and logistics and closely working together with the BAUNAT order team. She strives to ensure maximum customer satisfaction by keeping our clients up to date in the production process and delivering on-time. To improve her product expertise even further, Sofie completed the Diamond Foundation Course by De Beers, which makes her a true diamond specialist.

“Logistics Champion”, which is the title Sofie was awarded with in 2018, leads and supervises the processing of orders and logistics and closely working together with the BAUNAT order team. She strives to ensure maximum customer satisfaction by keeping our clients up to date in the production process and delivering on-time. To improve her product expertise even further, Sofie completed the Diamond Foundation Course by De Beers, which makes her a true diamond specialist.