For example, the most valuable tanzanites are often described as 'sapphire-like' in hue. In fact, blue sapphires set the color standard for blue gems of any kind. When shopping for sapphires, if you encounter the term 'sapphire' without any color description, it most likely refers to blue sapphire. These non-blue sapphires are sometimes called 'fancy sapphires.'īlue is the most highly valued color of sapphire and has the strongest popular association with this gemstone. Variable levels of these and other elements create other colors, including green, yellow, orange, and pink. Trace elements give corundum gems their color. Silicon ranks as one of the most abundant elements in the Earth's crust, so this makes corundum relatively rare. Completely colorless, pure corundum consists of aluminum and oxygen and can't form if silicon is present. (Red gem-quality corundum is considered ruby). The term sapphire encompasses all non-red gem-quality corundum.

However, sapphires also come in every color imaginable, except red. Any blue sapphire engagement ring is sure to become an enduring classic. Sapphires come in a great variety of blue colors, from the brilliant sky blue of a cloudless day to the royal blue of twilight to the inky navy of night. Medium-dark blue 2.10-ct sapphire, 7.6 x 9.2 mm, triangle cut, Sri Lanka.

When you're shopping for sapphire engagement ring stones, some knowledge of this gem's optical and physical properties, grading standards, and varieties might save you some time and money. They can cover 'something old' or 'something new' but will really wow when brides need 'something blue.' Sapphires are rare, beautiful, durable, and… expensive. Sapphires are both traditional and trendy gem choices for engagement rings.

Light blue sapphire engagement rings