Engagement Rings

Sapphire Engagement Rings

Shining with the blue brilliance of the sky’s many moods, sapphire is a prized and precious gemstone valued for its durability, dazzling nature and rich historical background. It’s so seductive that it’s the number-one alternative to diamonds when it comes to popping the question. If you’re in the market for a stunning sapphire engagement ring, read on to learn what makes this jewel so special.

Origins

This sparkling gem first appeared in India after an avalanche in the Himalayas, and today, it comes from many other sources, including Madagascar, Myanmar, Kenya, Sri Lanka and Australia. The sapphire has made its way around the globe as a beloved adornment rich with symbolism.

Composition and Qualities

Composed of iron, chrome and — most notably — crystallized, pressurized aluminum oxide from the earth’s core, sapphires are part of the corundum family of jewels. It manifests in all varieties of color, including yellow, purple, pink-orange and green, but its most famous form is an intense blue that ranges from deep “royal” and bright “cornflower” blue to a charming blue-violet.

Sapphires possess an entrancing quality called asterism, which means they can contain densities of tiny fibers that cause light to reflect light in the shape of a star. While asterism means that the specific sapphire stone will have less transparency, it remains a precious rarity in the world of gems. Little could be more hypnotizing than a star sapphire.

History and Mythology

Sapphire’s name comes from the Latin “saphirus” and the Greek “sapheiros,” meaning blue. Since 800 B.C., the stone has held people captive with its beauty and alleged properties. The gem was so prized that ancient Persians believed that the Earth was embedded in a large sapphire, as reflected by the color of the sky.

Greeks wore this stone as a talisman when seeking counsel from the oracle, while Hindus incorporated it into worship, and Buddhists believed it had power in spiritual enlightenment. Ancient Christian kings used sapphires in ecclesiastical rings, and ancient Hebrews even believed the Ten Commandments to be engraved into sapphire tablets. Later, sapphires became representative of peace, happiness, love, loyalty, friendship and protection against ills. They are famously included in the British Crown Jewels and the “star of India.”

Sapphire is also September’s birthstone and can symbolize the fifth wedding anniversary.