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:

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:

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: