A Blue Sapphire’s “cut” is not just its shape, but also how well its facets are aligned. Sapphires are cut to enhance their color, so they are faceted and also analyzed differently than diamonds. As a result, you don’t have to worry about angles and proportions. Instead, to judge a Sapphire, look for a great outline, symmetrical facets, and consistent color. Here’s how:
Blue Sapphires
Blue Sapphire is iconic, stunning, and classy. Symbolizing truth and loyalty, and having a hardness of 9/10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, this gem makes a fantastic engagement ring choice. Couples looking for a unique yet classic ring will love a Blue Sapphire.
Table, Depth & Other Specifications for Ideal Blue Sapphires
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AAA (Best)
AA (Good)
A (Fair-Poor)
Shape
Pleasing
Slightly-off
Misshapen
Facet Symmetry
Mirror Image
Slight Variation
Haphazard
Window
None-Slight
Slight-Moderate
Gem is See-Through
Extinction
Even Light/Dark
Slightly Too Dark
Gem is Too Dark
Color Recommendations for Blue Sapphires
Color is your top priority when choosing a gemstone like Sapphire. Blue Sapphire can be almost black, denim, and also ice blue! It can also be greenish-Blue or violetish-Blue. The most common Blue is an inky dark Blue, however, the most valuable is a medium “cornflower” Blue. Some couples love a dark blue gem, like Dutchess Kate Middleton, while others prefer a lighter blue for a more traditional “bridal” look. They’re all stunning!
Your Blue Sapphire’s “color” can be described in terms of hue (Blue, greenish-Blue, or violetish-Blue), tone (how light or dark the Blue is) and saturation (how vivid or greyish the stone is). Your stone’s quality is also affected by how consistent the color is. Lower quality Blue Sapphire occasionally shows “color zoning” – streaks of white, green, or yellow – through its Blue color. As you can imagine, this is not pretty. So, we make sure all our Sapphires are a consistent Blue! Here’s how to judge Sapphire color quality:
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AAA (Best)
AA (Good)
A (Fair-Poor)
Hue
Blue or violetish-Blue
Blue or greenish-Blue
Blue or grayish-Blue
Tone
Medium
Light or Dark
Very Light or Very Dark
Saturation
Vivid
Moderately Strong
Grayish
Color Zoning
None
None
Apparent
Clarity Recommendations for Blue Sapphires
Almost all Sapphires have a few birthmarks, called “inclusions,” under magnification. This is your Sapphire’s fingerprint! In high quality Sapphire, these inclusions are not visible to the naked eye (they are “eye clean.”) So, when looking for your engagement ring, we suggest you only consider Eye Clean stones. Here is some guidance on how to choose the right clarity for your special ring:
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AAA (Best)
AA (Good)
A (Fair-Poor)
Clarity
Eye Clean
Visible Blemishes OK if Not Noticeable
Blemishes Detract From Beauty
Settings that Pair Well with Blue Sapphires
We think the cool tone of Blue Sapphire is best shown off in white gold, palladium, and platinum. However, more traditional couples may love the look of a yellow band with white prongs! Either way, most couples prefer a diamond accented Blue Sapphire engagement ring, as Sapphire’s brilliant color gives the white diamonds a great contrast. Here are our favorite Blue Sapphire engagement rings:
Money Tips
In Sapphire, color always has to be your first and foremost! But, you don’t need “cornflower” blue. Slightly lighter or slightly darker will still be stunning, and WAY less expensive.
3 Things to Ask Your Jeweler
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01.
Photo & Video
Always ask your jeweler for a detailed picture. Look for pleasing shape, symmetrical facets, and pretty color.
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02.
Inspect It
Ask the jeweler to pull the gem and actually visually inspect it. Remember to check for consistent color (no streaks!), windowing, and even light/dark areas.
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03.
Measure It
Sapphire is heavier than diamond is. So, a 2.0 ct Sapphire will actually appear smaller than a 2.0 ct Diamond. Make sure your stone faces up the size you want!
Other Ring Resources
See our in-depth educational guides, which were made to give practical advice with every aspect of your ring.
Diamonds
Moissanite
Sapphires
Gold Palladium & Platinum