Luxury Buyer's Guide to Sapphire Engagement Rings

Learn everything you need to know about buying a sapphire engagement ring.

History of Sapphire Engagement Rings

Sapphire engagement rings are both on trend and timeless choice for a bride. Although sapphires may seem unconventional compared to diamonds, sapphires have been used in engagement rings for thousands of years. A sapphire symbolizes honesty, sincerity, and faithfulness. Sapphires also believed to provide good fortune and create healthy strong bonds between lovers. Thus, a sapphire engagement ring is the perfect choice to represent the promise of marriage. Sapphires are also one of the most popular and eye-catching precious gemstones. The largest sources of sapphires are mined in India, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. Each region is known for producing sapphires with a unique blue hue. Kashmir Sapphires from India are known to have a rich velvety blue. Ceylon Sapphires from Sri Lanka are known for their delicate silky hue.

Historically, sapphires were considered a symbol of nobility and were used in royal crown jewelry. One of the most famous sapphire engagement rings was gifted to Princess Diana. Her sapphire engagement ring is a blue Ceylon sapphire set in white gold with a halo of fourteen diamonds. Princess Diana’s ring was inspired by a brooch made by the British jeweler, Gerrard, for Queen Victoria. Today, Princess Diana's sapphire engagement ring with a halo setting is one of the most popular choices when it comes to sapphire engagement rings worldwide.

Popularity Of Sapphire Engagement Rings

Sapphires are surging in popularity throughout the luxury gemstone market. In recent years, sapphires have fetched record-breaking prices at auction. Many collectors and jewelry enthusiasts are drawn to sapphires for their variety of color, durability, and uniqueness. Sapphires as engagement rings are an attractive alternative to the classic diamond engagement rings for brides who are looking for something unique. Additionally, looking into a sapphire engagement ring is a great way to make a statement when upgrading your diamond engagement ring. The price per carat of a sapphire is slightly lower than the price per carat of a diamond of the same weight. However, the price for sapphire engagement rings varies based on the cut, clarity, color, and carat.

Additionally, most sapphire engagement rings are set in either halo or three-stone settings. The price of a 5-carat sapphire engagement ring can start at $10,000 and go to $100,000+. When it comes to high jewelry sapphire engagement rings on Sotheby’s marketplace the prices start at $100,000.

The 4 Cs: Carat, Clarity, Color, and Cut

The main attraction of a sapphire ring is its color. Sapphires come in multiple colors and hues. While the deep vivid blue is the most popular, sapphires also come in pink, yellow, and orange. The most popular blue-hued sapphire is a royal sapphire. Royal sapphires are sourced around the world, Ceylon is the area with the most royal blue sapphires. A royal blue Ceylon sapphire can start at around $4,500 per carat and go up to around $15,500 per carat. Princess Diana's sapphire ring is a royal blue sapphire from Ceylon. The second most popular blue-hued sapphire is a cornflower blue sapphire. These sapphires are medium to light blue and have undertones of purple. A cornflower blue sapphire can start at around $2,300 per carat and rise to over $6,000 per carat. A sapphire engagement ring's cut, clarity, and carat are also important aspects.

Carat: Sapphire engagement rings come in all different weights. The larger the gemstone, the brighter the stone will shine. Sotheby's suggests starting at 5 carats when looking for sapphire engagement rings. A 5-carat sapphire will stand out and display the blue hues best.
Clarity: When looking at colored gemstones, clarity is an important consideration because it affects the brilliance and overall appearance of the stone. Sapphires typically have some inclusions that appear like needles, crystals, or feathers. The highest-rated sapphire is an eye-clean sapphire; these sapphires have no inclusions. An eye-clean sapphire is the most expensive sapphire. An 8.18-carat eye-clean Kashmir sapphire ring sold at Sothebys auction in 2014 for $5.1 million, equaling $180,731 per carat.
Color: As color is the most important factor for determining the value of a sapphire, it is important to evaluate the hue, tone, and saturation. This is the basic color that meets the naked eye. This can be blue, pink, yellow, or purple. The tone is the lightness or darkness of the stone. The ideal tone is a medium-dark. Saturation is the intensity of the color. For blue sapphires a rich, velvety, and deep blue color.
Cut: A well-cut sapphire will exhibit the most brilliance. Precision is most important when it comes to cutting a stone. Some of the most popular shapes for a sapphire engagement ring are oval, pear, and emerald.

Sotheby's also suggests only purchasing natural or untreated sapphires since these are the rarest and highest quality. Untreated sapphires make up only 1% of the market and are more likely to retain or increase in value.

Sapphire Engagement Ring featuring 12.91 Carat Burmese Sapphire

Celebrity Sapphire Engagement Rings

The most famous sapphire engagement ring in history is Princess Diana's 12 carat oval sapphire surrounded by 14 round diamonds. Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton in 2010 with his late mother's Ceylon sapphire engagement ring. When the ring was first purchased it was valued at $60,000 in 1981 but today the ring is worth around $600,000. Elizabeth Taylor received an impressive sapphire engagement ring in 1952 from British actor Michael Wilding. In 2009 Victoria Beckham was spotted with what is believed to be one of her most expensive engagement rings, a giant sapphire engagement ring set on a micro pave band, estimated to be worth $6 million. A celebrity with a more modest sapphire engagement ring is Penelope Cruz. Her engagement ring is a 3-carat oval sapphire set in a flower-shaped diamond halo. Penelope Cruz’s ring is estimated to cost $30,000.

Buying a Sapphire Engagement Ring at Sotheby's

Sotheby's sells natural sapphire engagement rings on its marketplace, available for immediate shipping. Sotheby's also sells sapphire engagement rings from top luxury brands including Harry Winston, Tiffany, Cartier, and more. Sotheby's salon specialists are also happy to assist with your sapphire engagement ring purchase. Sotheby's is also able to source special sapphire engagement ring from its global supplier network.

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