The most popular choices when it comes to choosing the perfect stone for an engagement ring or any piece of custom jewellery have been diamonds and sapphires. Both stones possess timeless beauty and everlasting durability, making them excellent choices for any jewellery you plan to wear for life!
In today’s article, we will compare the two stones and offer valuable insights to help you choose the one that is right for you.
Key Takeaways
In case you don’t have time to read the entire article, here are a few key points…
Durability: Both stones are incredibly durable, with diamonds ranking a solid 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness and sapphires ranking 9. This means they are a good choice for wedding and engagement rings as they will wear extremely well over time.
Colour: While diamonds are typically colourless, they can come in a range of blue, pink, yellow, and other fancy colours. Sapphires are famous for their colour, which is often blue, teal, yellow, pink, and other shades.
Cost: Diamonds, especially natural diamonds, tend to be a bit more expensive. For this reason, you may be able to afford a larger sapphire for a given budget. Various shades of popular teal and peach sapphires are often quite affordable, while deep blue Ceylon sapphires are more expensive.
Sapphire Vs. Diamond
Origins
Diamonds are prized for their rarity and value, but the unique combination of colour, clarity, carat, and cut defines each stone’s individuality. Diamond mining has a long history, beginning over two millennia ago in India. Today, diamonds are sourced globally, with significant deposits in Canada, Australia, Africa, and Russia. Additionally, lab-grown diamonds are becoming increasingly popular in the engagement ring market
Diamonds have always captivated attention as symbols of luxury and prestige. Their journey began in the rivers and streams of India in the 4th century and eventually made their way to Europe, becoming the favoured adornment of the elite by the 1400s. Over time, the global demand for diamonds has surged, and the industry has evolved to emphasize ethical sourcing with a focus on conflict-free diamonds.
Sapphires, composed of the mineral corundum, can be even rarer than diamonds, especially when of high quality. They are mined worldwide, with notable sources in Southeast and Central Asia, Australia, Africa, and Montana in the United States. The most famous origin is Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon. Traditionally, sapphires are known for their blue and white varieties, though they are available in various colours. Historically, sapphires have been associated with royalty; ancient Greek and Roman kings and queens wore blue sapphires as protective talismans.
Composition
Diamonds are unique in that they are composed of a single element: Carbon. Sapphires, on the other hand, are part of a family of gems called corundum, which is made of aluminum oxide. Various trace elements also impact the colour of sapphires.
Colour
The colour of a gemstone is a crucial factor when selecting jewellery that resonates with your style. Diamonds are known for their clear, sparkling appearance, but they also come in stunning colours, including the rare and captivating blue. This blue colouration occurs when traces of boron are present during the diamond’s formation, creating a spectrum of shades from deep greyish blues to vibrant aqua tones.
Sapphires, famous for their rich blue colours, are available in nearly every hue imaginable. Some even can change colour under different lighting conditions, making them perfect for those seeking a bold and distinctive engagement ring. However, sapphires aren’t red; red corundum is classified as ruby. The vibrancy of a sapphire, known as its saturation, plays a significant role in its value—the more intense the colour, the more prized the stone.
When comparing the colours of sapphires and diamonds, white-toned stones are often put side by side. Colourless diamonds and white sapphires can appear similar at first glance but differ in key areas. Diamonds typically exhibit greater brilliance and clarity, which enhances their sparkle, while white sapphires, though beautiful, offer a more subdued shine.
Insider Tip: One factor to keep in mind when choosing a coloured gemstone is the distribution of the colour throughout. The idea is to find a stone with an even colour distribution. However, many stones have what is known as a “window,” where some of the stone appears more see-through. Aim to find a stone with as small of a window as possible. This window effect can be especially apparent when dealing with blue sapphires.
Hardness
Both stones are very hard and durable. Diamonds are the hardest known substance, ranking a solid ten on the Mohs hardness scale, while sapphires rank 9.
Brilliance
Diamonds are known for their signature sparkle due to their high refractive index. This property allows them to reflect white light brilliantly and disperse it into a vivid spectrum of colours, creating a stunning “fire” known as scintillation. In contrast, sapphires have a more understated sparkle and a lower refractive index. The quality of the cut is crucial for enhancing a sapphire’s brilliance, and maintaining a clean stone is essential to ensure it catches the light beautifully. While diamonds typically display a more vibrant and colourful sparkle, white sapphires offer a softer, silvery gleam.
Price
Diamonds are generally more expensive than sapphires per carat. This is especially the case when it comes to natural diamonds. Sapphires can be more cost-effective, allowing you to get a larger stone for a given price. Teal and peach-coloured sapphires have become quite popular and are less expensive than the traditional blue Ceylon sapphires.
Sourcing
Diamonds are often sourced in Africa, Russia, and Canada, while sapphires are usually mined in Sri Lanka, Australia, southern Asia, and North America.
Popular Ring Styles
Popular Sapphire Ring Styles
When it comes to sapphire engagement rings, it’s all about colour and contrast. For this reason, one of the most popular styles is the three-stone ring, in which a coloured sapphire (often blue or green) is flanked by two clear diamonds on either side, accentuating the brilliance of the centre gem.
Halos are also very popular due to the famous Kate Middleton sapphire halo engagement ring.
Popular Diamond Ring Styles
The most popular style of diamond engagement ring has been the simple yet elegant solitaire. This style allows the centre stone to steal the show by setting it on an often thinner band. Recently, three-stone rings and various diamond clusters have become popular.
Differences In Popularity
Diamonds will likely always be the most popular choice for engagement rings and wedding bands. However, sapphires are growing in popularity, especially across social media. If you love both stones, our recommendation is to combine them into a unique custom design. This can be done by having the diamond as the centre stone with small sapphires as accent stones or by having a large sapphire as the centre stone with diamonds to complement.
Start Designing Your Sapphire Engagement Ring Today!
We hope you have found this guide helpful in choosing between these two beautiful stones. For engagement rings in Winnipeg, whether you are looking for a diamond engagement ring or a timeless sapphire design, we’d love to help you on your journey by providing expert guidance and attention to detail. Feel free to browse our website and social media for examples of our work, and then book your appointment with our expert team!
FAQ
Are Sapphires The Same As Diamonds?
No. While both are excellent choices for engagement rings and custom jewellery, the two stones look quite different and are made of different elements. Diamonds are made of pure carbon and are generally clear; however, they can come in fancy colours. Sapphires, on the other hand, are made of aluminum oxide and are most famously blue, yellow, green, and teal (although they can come in different shades ).
Are Sapphires Better Than Diamonds?
That’s all a matter of personal preference. If you love clear stones with white flashes of brilliant sparkle, we recommend diamonds. However, if you love colour and contrast in your jewellery, sapphires are the way to go.
Are Sapphires More Expensive Than Diamonds?
Generally, natural diamonds are more expensive due to their popularity and rarity. Classic blue Ceylon sapphires tend to be more costly than teal and pink colours.
How Should You Clean Sapphire Jewellery?
We offer lifetime cleaning and polishing on all of our designs and recommend clients bring their jewellery in at least every six months to have it polished. However, at home, we recommend filling a soup bowl with hot tap water, adding a few drops of dish detergent, and lightly cleaning your jewellery with a soft toothbrush. We also give polishing cloths with each of our rings designed to brighten your jewellery.