One of the more fashionable engagement ring styles for 2012 is the sapphire and diamond halo made popular by the marriage of Prince William to Kate Middleton.

The vintage look of the halo design is a timeless classic and symbolizes the unbreakable vow between husband and wife. Sapphire is the gemstone associated with truth and the soul. In years past, the giving of a blue sapphire signified a promise of loyally and trust, which makes the blue sapphire engagement ring a wonderful symbol of the union of marriage.

Many jewelry designers credit Lady Diana Spencer for bringing the sapphire engagement ring to the tops of popularity charts. In true royal fashion, Lady Diana chose a very sophisticated and pristine 18ct sapphire.

Not so in keeping with royal tradition was the fact that the ring could have been bought by anyone who was willing to spend $60,000. Miss Spencer fell in love with the ring and ignited a world-wide love for sapphire engagement rings.

The marriage of Prince William to Kate Middleton has once more sparked interest in blue sapphire engagement rings.

Many women now wear a replica of this famous ring or have used it as a source of inspiration in seeking their own sapphire engagement ring. Whether a woman simply loves the color blue or she wants a bit of a fairy tale in her life, the blue sapphire engagement ring has captured her.

History and Symbolism of the Blue Sapphire

The blue sapphire is rich in history and symbolism. The dazzling stone has been mentioned in ancient texts, including the bible. It is the birthstone for September and is thought to bring great luck and good fortune when worn by people who are born in this autumnal month.

Royal figures have chosen blue sapphires to adorn their most impressive crowns and baubles.

This gemstone is breathtaking even in its most primitive state. The sharp blue crystals form a solid rock of glistening and regal beauty. Its beauty was so great that the ancient people of present-day Africa and south-east Asia hailed its presence from the first day it was discovered.

Blue sapphire rings are stately, elegant and very much in vogue these days. This stone has a timeless elegance that makes every woman feel special when she wears it. Known as a “Stone of Destiny” to the ancient people, the blue sapphire is the perfect gem to spend a lifetime wearing.

Blue Sapphire Gemstones

Sapphires are in the aluminum oxide family of corundum minerals. Corundums are a category of rock-forming minerals which may contain “impurities” such as titanium, iron and chromium. It is these impurities which give the corundum its distinctive colors.

When a large amount of chromium is present in a sapphire, it turns the gemstone red in color and is classified as a ruby. If the color is more of a pink-orange, the stone is known as a padparadscha. All other colors, including blue, green, brown, yellow and clear are considered to be sapphires.

The hardness of a corundum mineral is listed as nine on a scale of one to ten with ten being the hardest (See Mohs Scale). A diamond is a ten which makes the sapphire second only to the diamond in terms of hardness.

The hardness of the sapphire adds to its high value. The blue sapphire is, in general, rarer than a diamond but is also in less demand. This causes the sapphire to be priced somewhat lower than a diamond. The stone was originally mined in south-east Asia, but it has now been found in many locations all over the world.

What Makes a Sapphire Blue?

The presence of certain impurities causes the sapphire to turn blue. Specifically, it is the presence of the elements titanium and iron that give the corundum a blue hue. The more titanium and iron found in the mineral the deeper and richer the color of blue. However, when there is more titanium than iron, the hue is much lighter and the stone can almost be colorless.

If the stone has more iron than titanium, the color can be slightly yellow or even green. Only when there is a harmonious balance between both iron and titanium does the color turns blue. It is as if Mother Nature uses these chemicals as paints to make different shades. Some sapphires appear almost purple indicating a strong presence of both titanium and iron.

The most expensive sapphires have a rich intense pure blue color. Sapphires are usually cut to enhance the color and brilliance of the gemstone. Unlike diamonds, there are currently no standards for the “ideal” proportions or cut of a sapphire.

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