If you’re the type of bride looking to break tradition with your engagement ring, a sapphire engagement ring is a stunning way to do so. Popularized by Princess Diana in 1981, and now Kate Middleton (who wears the late princess's engagement ring), sapphires are a regal choice for jewelry.
"Unlike diamonds, which are known for their fire and brilliance, sapphires are known for their variety of colors," explains Kate Earlam-Charnley, design director at Taylor & Hart. "Sapphires are often chosen because of their outstanding colors...from rich indigo blue to ocean spray blue, from white (colorless) to orange, champagne, and even green."
"A sapphire is the perfect balance of classical beauty and contemporary expression, allowing you to choose one that reflects you or your partner’s personality," says Earlam-Charnley of choosing this gemstone for an engagement ring. Another plus? Sapphires come in a variety of colors (not just blue!) such as purple, pink, yellow, green, orange, brown, black, and even white— although Kashmir and Ceylon blue are the most sought-after.
To preserve your sapphire jewelry, it's a good idea to store it separately from other pieces. It's also recommended to always remove rings when participating in physical activity or coming in contact with household cleaners.
Think a sapphire engagement ring is right for you? When browsing designs, look pay attention to the cut, clarity, and carat of the stone, as well as the band style and metal.
To help, we've researched the best options available. If you want something sweet and dainty, we recommend the Laurie Fleming Cyndra Ring and the Barbela Sapphire Stellan Ring. For the bold bride-to-be, we love the Kenneth Jay Lane Double Blue Sapphire Cushion Ring and the Kwiat Vintage Collection Small Argyle Ring.
Read on for the best sapphire engagement rings.
Trumpet & Horn Braswell Ring
Shop now: $6,100, Trumpet & Horn
This Victorian-inspired sapphire and diamond engagement ring is guaranteed to make any bride gasp. The midnight blue sapphire is surrounded by round brilliant-cut diamonds that dazzle upon inspection. As part of Trumpet & Horn's vintage-inspired line, each ring is one-of-a-kind and made to order.
Metal: Yellow and rose gold, platinum | Cut: Round
Brilliant Earth Sapphire Valencia Diamond Ring
Shop now: $3,580, Brilliant Earth
This customizable sapphire diamond ring can be admired from every angle. Choose from a round, cushion, oval, or emerald-cut shape and then specify the dimensions of your center stone. A gallery of micro-pavé diamonds will have you feeling like a million bucks.
Metal: Yellow, white, rose gold, platinum | Cut: Round
Anna Sheffield Bea Three Stone Ring
Shop now: $8,500, Anna Sheffield
Emerald-cut classics like this won't fall in and out of style. Equal parts timeless and sophisticated, a blue sapphire center is surrounded by trillion white diamonds on both sides. You can choose between 14K recycled rose, yellow, or white gold.
Metal: Yellow gold | Cut: Emerald
Barbela Sapphire Stellan Ring
Shop now: $600, Barbela Design
An understated, but no less glam-worthy, sapphire ring to pique your interest. A 14K yellow gold band is accompanied by a sapphire stone and two diamonds for a look of pure elegance.
Metal: Yellow gold | Cut: Round
Laurie Fleming Cyndra Ring
Shop now: $1,325, Catbird
An engagement ring with celestial appeal? Right this way! A solid 14K gold tapered band is set with a combination of glistening blue-green Australian and Madagascan sapphires.
Metal: Yellow gold | Cut: Round
Diamondère Henrietta Ring
Shop now: $1,070, Diamondere
Less can definitely be more sometimes. In a sea of glitzy sparklers, there's something to be said about a minimal design that emphasizes a center stone. Here, a round sapphire serves as the focal point while a single diamond accent stone strikes an interesting juxtaposition.
Metal: XXXX White gold | Cut: Round
Jennie Kwon Ceylon Sapphire Dew Equilibrium Ring
Shop now: $1,147, Jennie Kwon
For the princess (bride) in training, we recommend this insanely gorgeous sapphire ring. All eyes will be on the oval Ceylon sapphire and side-by-side flanking diamonds. Milgrain detailing on the band lends a vintage twist.
Metal: Yellow, rose, white | Cut: Round
ILA Solana in Blue Sapphires
Shop now: $1,360, ILA
This dainty, yet exquisite ring contains Art Deco-era influences. An emerald-cut blue sapphire is flanked by rose-cut diamonds on both sides, while the band is constructed from 14K sustainable gold.
Metal: White, yellow, rose gold | Cut: Emerald
Sofia Zakia Clara's Dream Ring
Shop now: $1,380, Catbird
Meet the fairytale-esque sapphire ring of your dreams. With inspiration stemming from The Nutcracker, this otherworldly piece is as fantastical as it gets. A midnight blue sapphire is flanked by cultured pearls and diamonds on a solid gold band.
Metal: Yellow gold | Cut: Round
Wwake Organic Triangle Ring
Shop now: $1,015, Catbird
It was written in the stars: This organic triangle ring from Wwake is destined for artful brides. Pale sapphires combine with a brilliant tiny diamond for a look of enchantment.
Metal: Yellow gold | Cut: Round
Nora Kogan Blue Velvet Ring
Shop now: $1,950, Nora Kogan
Sometimes a pared-down engagement ring with a minimalist setting is all the heart desires. An understated 14K yellow gold band is elevated by a deep blue emerald-cut sapphire sourced from Sri Lanka.
Metal: Yellow gold | Cut: Emerald
Kwiat Vintage Collection Small Argyle Ring
Shop now: Price not listed, Kwiat
Go big or go home with a girly pink sapphire that speaks to your inner femininity. As part of the Kwiat Vintage collection, this ring is meant to evoke the heirloom designs of a bygone era. Bound by diamonds and set in 18K white gold, this extravagant statement piece will give you something to remember.
Metal: White gold | Cut: Round
Jemma Wynne Prive Diamond Pear and Blue Sapphire Open Ring
Shop now: $8,190, Jemma Wynne
If you're looking for something different from a classic solitaire, dare to be different with a one-off design. This 18K yellow gold ring consists of a diamond pear and blue sapphire. The open design makes it easy to stack and wear 24/7.
Metal: Yellow gold | Cut: Trilliant
Bario Neal Custom Pear Cut Montana Sapphire Lash Ring
Shop now: $2,842, Bario Neal
There are few cuts more captivating than an exquisite pear cut. Paired with a 14K rose gold and polish finish, this Cinderella-esque Montana sapphire is here to make all your dreams come true.
Metal: Rose gold | Cut: Pear
Jennie Kwon Green Sapphire Arch Ring
Shop now: $995, Jennie Kwon
This muted green sapphire is a refreshing departure from the classic blue gemstone we all know and love. The stone itself is crowned by an arch of diamonds that glistens in all the right ways. You can snag this exceptional ring in 14K yellow, rose, or white gold.
Metal: Yellow gold | Cut: Oval
Danhov Classico Unique Handmade Engagement Ring
Shop now: $2,940, Danhov
A sapphire ring to satisfy any bride. Available in platinum, 18K gold, and 14K gold, this cushion-cut solitaire ring commands attention with approximately 20 stones adorning the sides of the band.
Metal: White gold | Cut: Cushion
Erica Courtney Emani Orange Sapphire Ring
Shop now: Price not listed, Erica Courtney
This orange sapphire 18K gold ring is fire. As if the tangy hue wasn't enough of a statement, the center stone is flanked by surrounding 0.58 carats worth of diamonds for a hint of glamour.
Metal: Rose gold | Cut: Round
Grace Lee Demi Demi Plus 8 Blue Sapphire
Shop now: $2,880, Grace Lee
This 14K domed gold ring is for the ethereal bride with a penchant for beautiful things. A pear-shaped blue sapphire and seven diagonal-positioned diamonds adds old-world charm to a simple 5mm band (you can choose between 14K yellow, white, or rose gold).
Metal: Yellow, white, rose gold | Cut: Pear
Brilliant Earth Lab Created Sapphire Adorned Petite Elodie Diamond Ring
Shop now: $2,700, Brilliant Earth
The Elodie Ring from Brilliant Earth is a sight for sore eyes. Available with your choice of a royal blue or peachy-pink sapphire center stone, the solitaire design flaunts an open basket with four prongs and a hidden gallery of lab-grown diamonds beneath.
Metal: Yellow, white, rose gold | Cut: Oval
Blue Nile Oval Sapphire and Diamond Halo Split Shank Ring
Shop now: $5,240, Blue Nile
For some elevated bling, consider this gorgeous oval sapphire ring from Blue Nile. Beyond the large center stone, it features a halo of accent diamonds, plus more diamonds that sparkle around the split-shank white gold band.
Metal: White gold | Cut: Halo
What to Look For When Buying a Sapphire Engagement Ring
Cut, clarity, and carat
Earlam-Charnley explains, "While all sapphire engagement rings are graded by foundational factors, such as cut, clarity, color, and carat, a sapphire’s quality is primarily determined through its color and shape." Whether or not a sapphire is heated is also hugely important and has a great deal of impact on pricing. Unheated sapphires, for example, can cost more than double the price of a similarly heated sapphire.
Some of the lesser-known sapphire colors are incredibly rare. Earlam-Charnley says, "The rarest type of fancy sapphire is the Padparadscha, a delicate balance of orange and pink. The variety and range of color ensure that each gemstone has subtle differences."
Band style
You can never go wrong with a simple band. But if you want a little more sparkle, consider something with baguette gems flanking the sides or micro-pavé detailing, like the Brilliant Earth Sapphire Valencia Diamond Ring. There are also options with twisted, braided, and split-shank bands, like the Blue Nile Oval Sapphire and Diamond Halo Split Shank Ring.
Metal
As with the David Yurman Capri Sapphire Engagement Ring, white gold and platinum complement the cool undertones of blue sapphires. That said, a design featuring yellow gold or rose gold metal can offer striking contrast. In the end, the choice of metal is up to the wearer.
Cost
The cost of a sapphire engagement ring can vary greatly as well as it is dependent on carat weight and quality. Typically, sapphires cost slightly less than diamonds and can range from about $500 to $2,000 per carat, but Earlam-Charnley admits, "the sky’s the limit."
Care
"While diamonds and precious metals are not easily damaged, they do need frequent care," cautions Earlam-Charnley. "Pick up your ring from the band, not the center stone. This keeps your setting from becoming loose. And avoid touching the stone, you’ll protect it from the build-up that comes from our skin’s natural oils."
As for cleaning a sapphire engagement ring, Earlam-Charnley also recommends doing so at home monthly and professionally annually. She says, " With a small drop of washing up liquid, gently scrub your ring with a soft clean toothbrush. Rinse your ring under warm water and gently scrub again to remove any soap residue. Dry with a microfibre cloth."
Meet the Expert
Kate Earlam-Charnley is the design director at Taylor & Hart, a custom engagement ring and wedding band jeweler.
Why Trust Brides
Maggie Kreienberg is a former Brides editor who reports on wedding-related celebrity news, fashion trends, and real weddings. She has written and edited stories focused on wedding fashion, décor, honeymoon travel, relationships, and more.