Sapphire Wedding Rings
and
Sapphire Engagement Rings

And if you have any questions about sapphire wedding rings, or would like to leave reviews, comments or share pics of your fabulous ring with future visitors, just use the comment box at the end of the page!

Irradiation enhancement, labeled with an R, is occasionally used on sapphires to produce intense yellow or orange colors. The stability for this treatment is very poor as the gemstone's color will quickly fade when exposed to heat or light; irradiation will drastically reduce the overall price of the stone. Avoid purchasing sapphire wedding rings that contain irradiated sapphires.

A controversial diffusion treatment for sapphires known as Beryllium treatment, or lattice diffusion, will intensify yellow and orange colors, and synthetically produce the rare and highly priced salmon/sunset colors of the Padparadscha sapphire. This treatment has a fair stability rating, but stones can lose their color if they are re-cut or chipped. This enhancement is controversial because not all sapphires which have received this treatment are labeled as “Beryllium-Treated” or “Be Treated,” even though they are supposed to be, and this treatment can only be identified through expensive laboratory tests. As a result, the treatments are reducing the overall value of real sapphires around the world. Diffusion treatments will drastically reduce the value of the stone and it is best to avoid buying sapphire engagement rings or sapphire wedding bands made with these types of enhanced sapphires.

Sapphire Price Guide

Sapphire wedding rings are priced first and foremost on the gemstone’s color, then carat, cut, and clarity - and enhancements will also have a big impact on the value of a sapphire gemstone.

All sapphire gemstones display secondary colors or hues when they are exposed to light from different directions. The most desirable secondary hues are purple and violet followed by white. Less desirable secondary hues are green, gray, and yellow.

• So for an example, yellow sapphire engagement rings that display white flashes will be priced higher than rings that have sapphires with gray or green flashes.
  
  
• Blue sapphire engagement rings that display secondary purple or violet flashes will be priced much higher than those crafted with sapphires with yellow, green or gray flashes.

The most desirable and valued sapphire gemstones are a cornflower blue with secondary purple or violet hues and flashes. A a quality cut cornflower blue sapphire that has undergone only heat treatment, and has a good clarity grade, will generally sell for around $1,000 for a one carat stone. Natural sapphires of this color which have received no treatments are quite rare and are priced on average more than $2,000 for a one carat stone.

Currently, the most highly valued sapphires are the rare Padparadscha which are a salmon/sunset orange color. Sapphire wedding rings made of this rare natural gemstone are priced on average at $5,000 - $15,000 for rings crafted with a one carat sapphire gemstone.

Pink sapphire engagement ring styles have been increasing in popularity in recent years, and as a result they are now fetching prices almost equal to comparable cornflower blue sapphire engagement rings.

Other colors of sapphires are priced around $500.00 per carat or less. Purples are usually priced higher than greens and yellows. Oranges are moderately priced based on the intensity of their color. The lowest priced sapphires are the browns, gray, and clear (white) sapphires - although a clear sapphire with an excellent cut can sometimes be mistaken for a diamond.

Sapphire wedding rings with a quality custom cut which maximizes the sapphire’s natural brilliance, fire, and flash of desirable secondary hues are valued at higher prices than standard commercial or poorly cut sapphires.

Most sapphires have naturally occurring inclusions, and natural sapphires which have a perfect clarity grade are very rare. Sapphires which have minimal inclusions which are not visible to the naked eye are valued higher than sapphires with visible inclusions and/or blemishes.

Depending on the color of the sapphire gemstone, the carat size will have a big impact on price. Blue, pink, or Padparadscha sapphires which are over a carat will generally triple or quadruple in price per carat as they increase in size. Other colors of sapphires increase in value as well according to the carat size, though not as dramatically as the more highly valued colors mentioned.

Shopping Tips for Sapphire Wedding Rings

Couples looking for sapphire wedding rings will need to navigate through a maze of treated sapphires, synthetic sapphires, and color choices.

When it comes down to it, the best way to ensure that you have purchased a genuine sapphire ring for the right price is to go through a retailer who offers a no-nonsense refund policy and have your sapphire evaluated by an independent gemologist if the sapphire ring does not come with a certificate of authentication or appraisal from a reputable laboratory.

*Our Top Picks in the columns on this page are from three very highly reputable and trustworthy jewelry companies - Brilliant Earth Blue Nile and Gemvara. If you decide to purchase a gemstone wedding ring from one of these recommendations, a second independent evaluation is not needed to confirm the authenticity of your ring.

Looking closely at the price of sapphire wedding rings will also clue you in to any synthetic or treated gemstones. Remember that heat treatments by themselves will only have a minimal impact on the value of the stone, while natural stones of desirable colors are rare and will be valued higher. All other treatments will have a moderate to high impact on the stone’s value.

Keep in mind as you shop the minimal prices per one carat stone for valuable colors. For example, if you find a quality Padparadscha Sapphire priced at a few thousand, or even a few hundred, dollars you are probably looking at a Beryllium treated stone.

Take your time when you shop for sapphire engagement rings and sapphire wedding bands, beware of deals which look too good to be true and always deal with a retailer/jeweler who has an excellent established reputation.

If you are buying a gemstone through someone who is selling their personal property make sure that the gemstone comes with a certified report - not just an appraisal - or that you have the option of having the gemstone evaluated by a certified gemologist before the sale is finalized.

If you are on a tight budget, lab created sapphire rings can be a fantastic choice - just be sure to stick with synthetic sapphires that have the same exact properties as natural sapphires and that the workmanship on the ring is top notch.

The best metals for every day wear sapphire wedding rings? Platinum, followed by yellow and rose gold, palladium and silver. Before choosing the metal for your ring, remember that white gold will need to be re-plated with rhodium about every one to two years - and the rhodium plate process should not be performed on sapphires that have severe inclusions or which have received any treatments other than heat treatments.

Last but not least, sapphire and diamond engagement rings should always come with a certificate from a well known diamond laboratory like the GIA, AGS, EGL or IGI. If the ring is a vintage, estate or antique sapphire engagement ring, in this case the ring should come with a certificate of authentication and/or an appraisal by an unbiased independent gemologist.

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More Sapphire Wedding and
Engagement Ring Picks!

Blue Sapphire Platinum Men's Engagement Ring
by Brilliant Earth

'Mantilla' Oval Cut Yellow Sapphire Platinum Wedding Band by Gemvara

Emerald-Cut Blue Sapphire 14K Yellow Gold Engagement Ring with Tapered Baguette Diamonds by Blue Nile

'Reina' 14K Rose Gold Blue Sapphire and Diamond Engagement Ring by Brilliant Earth

'Milgrain Crown' Men's Sapphire and Diamond Platinum Wedding Band by Gemvara

'Evening Stars' Blue Sapphire and Diamond Wedding Band in Platinum by Gemvara

Cushion Cut Blue Sapphire with Diamonds in Classic Halo Style Platinum Engagement Ring
by Blue Nile

'Willow' Blue Sapphire 14k Rose Gold Wedding Set with Emeralds by Brilliant Earth

'Alhambra' Knot Style Princess Cut Pink Sapphire Platinum Wedding Band by Gemvara

'Glace' Round Blue Sapphire and Diamond Platinum Ring (Can be a Wedding Band or Engagement Ring) by Brilliant Earth

Pink Sapphire Claddagh Ring with Diamonds in Platinum Band by Gemvara