The Sapphire Ring, Elegant and Romantic

The blue sapphire ring, surrounded by diamonds, is known to everyone as the “Kate ring,” named after the English princess. In reality, this jewel has been a symbol of royalty and fidelity since ancient times and remains one of the most beloved pieces today. To fully appreciate the beauty and value of the sapphire ring, one must first understand the characteristics of this precious stone.

Sapphire, not Only Blue

The sapphire is one of the precious varieties of corundum, a mineral that, depending on its composition, presents different colorations that give rise to various precious stones, such as ruby. The most well-known and widespread sapphire is blue in color, due to the presence of iron and titanium. Its name derives from ancient Greek sàppheiros, which indicated a blue stone, but some also connect it to the Hebrew term sappir, which means “beautiful.”

Throughout history, since ancient Greece, the blue sapphire ring has always been the quintessential jewel worn by kings and queens, nobles and high clergy members, because it was considered a symbol of divine protection and therefore of nobility. Consequently, tradition has always associated sapphire with the color blue, even though they actually exist in various shades.

As the American Gemological Institute (GIA) explains, there are also the so-called fancy sapphires, the multicolored “fantasy sapphires,” which can present shades from yellow to orange, from pink to purple, to green, up to the darker tones of gray, brown or black. The most renowned and rare sapphires are those extracted in Kashmir, India, from mines that have been closed since the early 1900s. From Sri Lanka come the Ceylon variety, the most well-known, and the padparadscha sapphire (the Sinhalese term meaning “lotus flower”), of a pink-orange hue, rare and highly appreciated. Other countries where sapphires are extracted include Australia, Myanmar, Thailand, and India.

The most Famous Sapphire Ring in the World

As we have said, sapphires have always been among the favorite stones of royalty from every era and country, thanks to the elegance of their blue color. Even Lady Diana Spencer, when in 1981 she chose the ring for her engagement to Prince Charles of England, had no doubts: a sapphire ring with a 12-carat oval Ceylon blue sapphire, surrounded by 14 diamonds and set in white gold. The ring immediately became famous, but in reality everyone now knows it as the “Kate ring,” since it became the protagonist of another royal engagement. In 2010, in fact, the heir to the English throne, Prince William, gave that same ring, inherited from his mother, as a marriage proposal to Kate Middleton, now the future Queen of England. The Kate ring has thus become one of the most requested engagement rings worldwide.

How to Choose a Sapphire Ring

The Characteristics of the Stone

The main element in jewelry with precious stones is the choice of the gem, and the sapphire ring is no exception: the dimensions, proportion and cut of the stone are fundamental for creating a beautiful and elegant ring.

The design therefore starts from the selection of the sapphire and the type of cut, which defines the color of the stone. If the sapphire is too high, in fact, it will appear too dark, while, conversely, if it is too low the blue will be less intense. It is useful to remember that these choices also determine the value of the stone, which is an important investment destined to last over time: for this reason, especially for the most precious sapphires, a gemological certificate guarantees the characteristics of the stone.

Gold and other Precious Stones

The other elements that constitute a sapphire ring are also fundamental. If you want to create the classic model with the central stone surrounded by diamonds, it is necessary to match the right stones, which, to create a balanced and harmonious ensemble, must be neither too large nor too small. Another choice concerns the setting, which is very often in white gold, but there are also models in rose gold.

There are many options for a sapphire ring. The most precious proposals, such as those from the Masterpieces collection, are characterized by an original design in forms and in the combination of sapphire with diamonds and other precious stones, for creations that are true unique pieces.

There are also models that range from the most traditional design to more modern interpretations. An example is the Essentials collection, which presents the classic Kate ring, but also rings with colored sapphires and new jewelry with a central sapphire surrounded by a double row, the first of colored stones and the second of diamonds.