What does a sapphire ring mean?

Gemstones reflect the history and heritage of humanity over thousands of years in the most unique and fascinating ways. Most gemstones are named because of their color, the most obvious physical characteristic. Sapphirus means “blue” in Latin. In mineralogy, sapphire is known as corundum. Sapphirus was originally used to denote lapis lazuli and similar colored minerals, but over time it became the precious variety corundum. 10 540 000 ₽
Jewelry weight: 10.91 g. 11 780 000 ₽
Jewelry weight: 18.43 g. Jewelry weight: 5.76 g. 17 825 000 ₽
Jewelry weight: 9.17 g. 14 750 000 ₽
Jewelry weight: 12.42 g. In Ancient India, sapphires were used to decorate the outfits of clergy; they were inlaid with the crown of Cleopatra, the orb of the Russian Empire, the crown of Great Britain, and the brooch of the Indian Maharaja. In Western civilizations, sapphire has traditionally been associated with nobility, truth, sincerity, loyalty, and has been a favorite stone of royalty for generations. In Eastern culture, he personified friendship, selflessness and modesty. Ivan the Terrible was considered a great connoisseur of sapphires. His sovereign regalia – the scepter and Monomakh’s hat were decorated with precious stones, including large sapphires. Moreover, blue corundum was an unofficial symbol of Imperial Russia under Catherine II. Sapphire was especially popular in making tiaras and parures. Among the most famous is the Romanov sapphire tiara, given by Nicholas I to his wife Alexandra in honor of their accession to the throne in 1825. The conditions for the formation and location of sapphires are different. The deposits are located in the lower parts of basaltic lavas that erupted to the surface, and in loose fragments of explosive volcanic activity – tuffs. They are also found in pegmatite veins located at great depths. They are also found in metamorphic rocks strongly altered under the influence of temperature and high pressure. The most sought after blue corundums were mined in the north of India in the state of Kashmir. Today, rare Kashmiri cut specimens without refining are breaking price records – more than $235 per carat. Current deposits of high-quality sapphires are Myanmar (formerly Burma) and Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon). Gemstones are also mined in Madagascar, Thailand, Brazil, Pakistan, Australia, USA, China and Africa. Australia produces 80% of the world’s production. The bulk of dark blue, almost black corundum comes from Australia and China. Sapphire is a very hard mineral second only to diamond, which allows it to be cut with a brilliant cut. The luster is mirror-like, and the best stones are completely clean and transparent, without inclusions. Sapphire has a wide color palette: yellow, white, blue, pink and, of course, blue. Gemstones of other shades have their own names, for example, green – chlorosapphire, orange (the color of a lotus flower) – padparadscha, colorless – leucosapphire. And yet, the most sought after are deep blue sapphires. This hue is due to the presence of titanium and iron, and it is the balance of such impurities in the stone that produces a wide range of tones, from bright, pure cornflower blue to deep, dark midnight blue. Depending on the color and saturation in the Russian classification, sapphires are divided into three groups: 1 – bright blue (top color, characterized by the maximum concentration of spectral-pure tone; the term Royal is used to define this shade); 2 – medium blue or black-blue (characterized by lower color intensity); 3 – Light blue, or vice versa – dark blue (in this group both options are less bright). The blue star sapphire looks especially attractive, with an unusual optical effect. A star appears to shine on the surface of the gemstone. As a rule, such stones are cut as cabochons. According to purity, cut sapphires are divided into three groups depending on the number of inclusions in the stone: 1 – clean with minor point inclusions; 2 – transparent with small inclusions or thickenings; 3 – with inclusions of other minerals located throughout the stone, with areas of opacification in certain zones. Even with the highest characteristics, a sapphire will not have exceptional play without skillful cutting. Correct proportions and symmetry bring out the true charm of a gemstone. The facets must be positioned in such a way that a ray of light falling on the stone does not pass through it, getting lost, but returns, being reflected in the facets. At the same time, for colored gemstones there is no such strict standardization of proportions and angles of inclination of the faces as for diamonds. Therefore, the only thing that the buyer can be guided by is his personal impressions of how lively and bright the play of light is in the stone, whether it “burns”, pleasing the eye of the future owner. Admiring the unique charm of sapphires, the mesmerizing combination of hue, saturation and brilliance, the CHAMOVSKIKH jewelry house creates genuine masterpieces of jewelry that can highlight your individuality. Many experts in the world of jewelry claim that sapphire is the unofficial main stone of September. In the first month of autumn, this precious mineral is celebrated, which has natural purity, beauty and a variety of shades of rich blue color. The stone is also characterized by unique physical, chemical and mystical properties, which is why it is often used to create gold jewelry. For men who decide to propose marriage to their significant other in September and are looking for an engagement ring with an unusual “zest,” sapphire jewelry is the best option. This is an excellent alternative to diamond jewelry that any bride will appreciate. But it is extremely important to choose the right engagement ring that would match the spirit of the future married couple and satisfy the preferences of the beautiful lady.

Types and features of choosing engagement rings

The latest jewelry trends invite newlyweds to abandon classic rings in favor of non-standard jewelry with multi-colored precious stones. An excellent solution would be a ring with a modest sapphire framed in yellow or white gold. Such jewelry is a symbol of chastity and fidelity, and according to many beliefs, this deep blue stone contributes to the financial well-being of its owners. An important advantage of engagement rings with sapphires is considered to be a spectacular look on the fingers of different ladies: this stone makes a fair-skinned blonde brighter, and in the case of brunettes it provides a shade for the dark color of their hair or eyes. For girls who want to abandon traditional trends, rings with a central sapphire and a scattering of other stones would be an excellent solution. Such multi-color tandems will certainly be appreciated by others. The most popular, of course, is the “collective” of sapphire and diamonds. Rings with a heart made of miniature diamonds and sapphires have an unusual romantic look. Moreover, the stones can be round, oval, pear-shaped, square or rectangular. Engagement jewelry with sapphires can come in a variety of designs. Quite popular are jewelry with exquisite floral motifs or abstract patterns: gold flowers and hearts inlaid with small stones. Another excellent option are jewelry with a large sapphire in the center and tiny petals with a contrasting color. The surrounding inlay of small diamonds looks impressive, providing a visual increase in the main insert and creating an extraordinary play in the light. Let us note that preference is given to an engagement ring with sapphire, which will suit the style of the future engagement jewelry both in appearance and in the material of the frame. According to esotericists, for an engagement you should not choose jewelry with black stones, as well as with opal, which, according to popular belief, attracts misfortune – this is useless for a newly formed family.

Types of sapphires used

The most popular sapphires for engagement jewelry are deep blue and cornflower blue. The more intense the color, the more valuable the stone is. Often in jewelry stores in Moscow you can find rings with fancy shades of sapphire: yellow, orange, green, pink, purple, etc. The extraordinary shine and sharp edges of these stones make rings especially elegant, but such products are rarely chosen for engagement. Sapphires that have undergone special heat treatment methods are almost always used to make jewelry. These stones are characterized by a more saturated color and uniformity – they have practically no visible defects. There is a simple way to distinguish natural, natural sapphires from processed ones: under ultraviolet rays, natural stones cast snow-white highlights, while maintaining their color.

Methods for fixing a stone in a bezel

There are several options for mounting sapphire:

• The most reliable to wear are rings, for fastening the stone in the frame of which a channel or blind setting is used. In the first case, the precious stone is located in the walls of gold or other precious metal, and in the second, it is surrounded by a gold rim on each edge. A ring with a blind setting has a flat surface, with only the top of the sapphire visible – this guarantees reliable protection of the stone.
• If you prefer “open” models, we suggest choosing jewelry with a prong setting or in the shape of a halo. In the first case, the sapphire is held by the girdle with thin gold claws. This type of setting helps lift the stone above the rim and maximize its shine. The halo setting highlights the large central sapphire surrounded by small diamonds. Thanks to such inlay, visual effects are enhanced.

Methods of cutting stones

When it comes to large sapphire rings, heart-shaped, oval, pear-shaped or marquise cuts are almost always used. For miniature stones, the round cut is more suitable, and for the smallest stones, the buff top cut is more suitable. In this case, the sapphires are placed as closely as possible to each other, which helps create the effect of a solid sparkling blanket.

The number of facets directly affects the intensity of the gem’s shine, as well as the cost of the jewelry. The oval cut can reveal the depth and richness of the color of the gem. To finish stones with a cloudy structure and many impurities, the cabochon processing method is usually chosen.

If you decide to buy an engagement ring with sapphire in Moscow, we invite you to visit the Golden Gross shopping center. The catalogs of local jewelry stores offer a wide range of jewelry, allowing you to choose the right option for any bride. If necessary, you can also order the production of a ring according to an individual sketch.