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Sapphire

In the years following Princess Diana’s sapphire engagement ring there was a sharp increase in the occurrence of stunning sapphires in engagement rings. Decades on, the same 12 carat stone now on the Duchess of Cambridge finger, sapphires have continued to grow in popularity. Sapphire centre stones are distinctive yet traditional and offer the perfect option for any bride-to-be’s seeking a touch of royalty. As you would expect, sapphires symbolise loyalty, nobility and romance adding an extra layer of significance to your engagement. These gorgeous stones are often cheaper than diamonds whilst still ranking high on Mohs hardness scale, making them both affordable and durable for everyday wear. We recommend pairing with a white gold or platinum setting for dreamy diamond alternative.

 

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Emerald

For a ring that is as timeless as it is head turning look no further than an emerald. Emerald engagement rings have been increasing in popularity since Jackie Kennedy was gifted her stunning emerald engagement ring from John F. Kennedy in 1953. Her ring boasts a beautiful 2.84 carat emerald and is reportedly worth over $1 million. Traditionally, emerald stones have been symbolic of wisdom, and most importantly success in love. For a vintage look try pairing with a yellow gold setting with diamond accent stones.

 

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Morganite

The delicate hues in the salmon pink variety of beryl crystal Morganite makes for a beautiful alternative to diamond engagement rings.  Named after the financier and gem enthusiast G. P. Morgan, the dreamy stone is symbolic of compassion, promise and romance. Morganite is much more affordable than diamonds leaving more options when it comes to carat weight and design. If you are contemplating morganite as your forever stone, consider pairing with a rose gold setting to enhance the stones rosy hues.

 

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Pearl

While pearls may not be the first gemstone that come to mind when thinking about engagement rings, they are an exceptional choice for those searching for a ring that is both unconventional and classic. Signifying purity, happiness and loyalty what better way to celebrate your love than with this timeless gem. Pearls come in a variety of hues and are truly captivating when paired with a delicate yellow gold setting.

 

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Opal

If you are after a ring that is truly unique an opal is a stunning option. Opals display a spectacular array of colours distinctive to each to each stone, meaning you will struggle to find two stones alike. Opals, like many other gemstones, have strong meaning attached to them. Symbolic of hope, innocence and purity, opals are purported to lose their lustre when worn by an unfaithful partner. Opals are quite delicate, so be mindful when choosing settings and accompanying side stones.

 

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The task of selecting the perfect engagement ring to suit both personality traits and style – not to mention budget – can be a daunting task. To help you in your quest, we look to the stars for a little bit of inspiration on the perfect fit for you or for your partner!

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Leo: July 23 – August 22

Characteristic: loyal, charitable, indulgent

Leo’s are notoriously loyal partners, so it is only fitting that a blue sapphire should feature in a Leo’s engagement ring. Leo’s are known to be charitable souls so having a Princess Kate inspired ring is the perfect fit.

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Virgo: August 23 – September 22

Characteristic: elegant, practical, fussy

The practical but flawlessly elegant Virgo deserves nothing less than a timeless diamond solitaire. Some Virgo’s are known to be fussy, so eliminate any risks by opting for a simplistic design.

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Libra: September 23 – October 22

Characteristic: artistic, lazy

Libra’s make a statement in whatever they are wearing with their bold artistic flare. This Heidi Gibson design would be perfect complement to any Libra’s wardrobe.

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Scorpio: October 23 – November 21

Characteristic: mysterious, arrogant, sensible

A Scorpio’s style can be summarised as mysterious and sexy. A dark coloured gemstone such as a sapphire or tanzanite would be the perfect accompaniment for the sultry Scorpio.

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Sagittarius: November 22 – December 21

Characteristic: rational, rash

The brave hearted Sagittarius deserves a ring that matches their lively and optimistic personality. A yellow diamond on yellow gold is a must have for any Sagittarius.

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Capricorn: December 22 – January 19

Characteristic: endearing, stubborn

The Capricorn is your typical “mom” friend, ready to take care of you and support you through whatever life has to offer. Their gentle, endearing nature combined with their need for practicality means a diamond engagement ring, surrounded by a halo of smaller supporting diamonds is the perfect match.

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Aquarius: January 20 – February 18

Characteristic: unique, hasty

Always a step ahead of the latest trends, the Aquarius partner can be found sporting the most unique and quirky ring. The key to success is balancing originality with an enduring design.

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Pisces: February 19 – March 20

Characteristic: friendly, sentimental

A Pisces sees beauty in vintage styles that have come and gone. The sentimental Pisces is bound to have a stunning heirloom ring on their finger for the rest of their lives.

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Aries: March 21 – April 19

Characteristic: adventurous, impulsive

The adventurous Aries is always on the lookout for something that will catch people’s eyes. Impulsive at times, an Aries is likely to be upsold to the most generous sized rock. However the sheer size of the stone is purely symbolic of their passionate love.

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Taurus: April 20 – May 20

Characteristic: stubborn, romantic

The go-to ring for the stubborn, hopelessly romantic Taurus would be an intense ruby paired with a fine diamond halo detail.

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Gemini: May 21 – June 20

Characteristic: smart, charming, fickle

Gemini’s are typically the most charming, quick-witted sort in a pack. The brilliantly smart Gemini would suit a strikingly cut emerald shaped diamond. However, their somewhat capricious tendency suggests that a simple design could be a wise choice.

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Cancer: June 21 – July 22

Characteristic: careful, greedy

The careful Cancer has an elegant and luxurious style. This spectacular oval diamond ring is sure to tick all the boxes.

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Like every good superhero, the April birthstone has a tumultuous origin story. Formed over billions of years, diamond is created deep within the earth’s mantle under conditions of extreme pressure and heat. Despite this incredible journey, a common misconception still persists that diamond can be formed from coal.

Every diamond is unique. A huge array of factors combine to determine a stone’s value. The four most important characteristics which diamond specialists use to compare stones is colour, clarity, cut and carat weight. Generally speaking, a large round brilliant cut stone of D colour and flawless clarity is the diamond to choose if you are really wanting to splurge. Coloured varieties such as pink, yellow and blue diamonds can also fetch large sums of money due to their rarity and beauty.

In recent years there has been a rise in popularity for laboratory grown diamonds. Lab stones are man-made in a highly controlled laboratory environment. The lab conditions mimic the high temperature and pressure of the earth’s mantle. Lab diamonds are a sustainable and affordable alternative to the natural stone. It is almost impossible to distinguish a lab-grown from a natural stone, however visible inclusions are more prominent in natural stones – so the origin can be determined from surveying imperfections in the crystal.

Ancient Romans and Greeks once thought diamonds were the tears of gods or fragments from shooting stars. The earliest association between romantic love and diamonds stemmed from the Romans which also believed that cupid’s arrows were tipped in diamonds.

The tradition of gifting engagement rings set with diamonds dates back to 1477, when the Archduke Maximillian of Austria proposed to his beloved Mary of Burgundy. The ring featured a tasteful arrangement of diamonds spelling out an “M.” In 1947, DeBeers popularised diamond engagement rings following the release of their marketing slogan “A Diamond is forever.” As a result, from 1930 to 1990, the occurrence of diamonds in engagement rings spiked from 10% to a huge 80%.

Figure 1: White dwarf planet containing 10-billion-trillion-trillion carats of diamond, nicknamed “Lucy” after the Beatles song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”

For those who have read our blog “Fame and Fortune: the World’s Most Famous Diamonds” you would know there are some sizeable hunks of diamonds sitting in important museums and royal collections. None of these compare to the beautifully named “Lucy” from the Beatles song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” a star made of a 10-billion-trillion-trillion carat diamond. Unluckily for us, the most expensive star in the galaxy is 50 light years away from earth.

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The rough crystal is beautiful in appearance. The March birthstone naturally occurs in a six-sided prismatic crystal which can grow to be more than a foot in length. The faceted form is exceptionally transparent, with the vitreous, glass-like lustre drawing many comparisons to a clear body of water. Beryl gemstones typically form large crystals, making them suitable for jewellery and rings.

The value of most aquamarine crystals is derived from the intensity of the blue colour. Unlike other gemstones, it is possible for the gemstones price to decrease with increasing carat weight. The reason for this is that in order to accumulate colour a larger volume of crystal is required. Hence, a small 1 carat aquamarine is more difficult to come by than a 20 carat stone of a similar hue.

Queen Elizabeth II is particular fond of the cool and calming aquamarine. A necklace and pair of earrings gifted by the Brazilian President for her coronation ceremony began Elizabeth’s ongoing love for the stone. She later commissioned a matching tiara to wear alongside the gift. Hollywood royalty Justin Timberlake co-designed an engagement ring for his partner Jessica Biel which featured a large 6 carat diamond, flanked by two aquamarines – a reference to her March birthday.

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Greek legends believed that amethyst was associated with the God of Wine, Bacchus due to the striking wine colour of the stone. The stone’s name originates from the Greek word “amethustos” which translates to “not intoxicated.” Hence, wine goblets were often carved from amethyst as it was believed to protect the consumer from drunkenness. It is also believed that carrying amethyst kept wearers quick witted and clear headed in battle. It is also a symbol of sincerity, security and calmness.

The world’s largest deposits of amethyst crystal can be found in Brazil and Uruguay. Typically the crystals can be found nestled in large geodes (rounded, hollow voids) within volcanic rock. Some geodes are in fact so large that you can even stand inside them.

Figure 1: Amethyst Geode

The value of an amethyst is determined by a variety of quality factors. The most prized crystals display a rich reddish purple shade and an absence of colour zoning. Colour zoning is classified as angular zones of light and dark areas within a crystal (the exception to this is ametrine, a unique bicolour variation of quartz displaying both the purple of amethyst and yellow of citrine). The crystal is usually found with very few inclusions, so high clarity is expected in excellent quality stones. Because of its abundance, carat weight has a lesser implication in determining the value of a stone. The February birthstone is popular for freeform shapes like animals or other objects as it is easily cut by hand or automated sculpting.

Famous Amethyst Pieces

St Valentine, a catholic bishop who was regarded as the patron of love wore an amethyst ring carved with the image of cupid. St Valentine was martyred for secretly wedding young couples after it was outlawed by the Roman Emperor Claudius II (Read more about the story behind Valentine’s Day here). The image of cupid was a recognised symbol of love in the Roman Empire, hence the ring was used by soldiers to identify him and ask for his marriage services.

The Duchess of Windsor from 1896-1986, Wallis Simpson, famously wore an extravagant Cartier bib style necklace while attending a gala in the Palace of Versaille in 1953.

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The November birthstone displays pleochroism – an optical phenomenon whereby the crystal displays different types of colour from different crystal directions. This trait is particularly useful for identifying the stone, as the number of colours visible helps to distinguish the crystalline structure of an unknown gemstone.

The high polish of faceted topaz makes it quite slippery to touch. The crystals are usually columnar, cut as pear or oval shapes to improve yield.

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Opals are famous for their breathtaking interaction with light, creating a mystical aura that has the power to stir the imagination. As light dances across the surface of opal gemstones, imagery of fireworks, neon signs and far away galaxies come to mind.

The incredibly diverse opal can come in combinations of almost every colour of the rainbow, from bluey greens to intense reds and oranges. Opals can occur in a variety of different surface patterns including pinfire, dragon skin pattern, Chinese writing pattern, harlequin and a rolling flash pattern.

Opals are composed of hydrated silica. Opals found in Central Australian towns such as Coober Pedy were formed over a process lasting hundreds of millions of years. The Eromanga Sea which once flooded the Great Artesian Basin retreated, increasing the acidity of the water as the centre of Australia slowly dried out. Silica in surrounding sandstone was released as a result of the chemical weathering, causing a silica-rich gel to fill crevices in nearby rocks. As water evaporates from the rocks, the silica is deposited as tiny spheres which make up opal gemstones.

Opal deposits in Australia make up a huge 95% of the world’s supply. The incredible similarities between the landscape of the red centre of Australia and Mars reveal why opals are also found below the surface of the red planet.

Famous opals include the Aurora Australis which was mined from Lightning Ridge, NSW in 1938. Valued at $1 million, the harlequin patterned opal is named after the beautiful Southern Lights seen in the Australian night sky.

Figure 1. Aurora Australis discovered in Lightning Ridge, NSW in 1938.

Numerous prominent figures have been known to wear opal jewellery, including Queen Elizabeth II, Cleopatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Blake Lively, Elvis Presley and Victoir de Castellane (Creative Director of Christian Dior’s).

Figure 2. Timepiece from the Dior et d’Opales collection designed by Victoire de Castellane.

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While most people are referring to the blue variety of corundum crystal when they use the term “sapphire,” the gemstone is actually present in every colour of the rainbow – with the exception of red. As discussed in the blog Ruby: The Birthstone of July, the red variety of aluminum oxide crystal is actually called ruby!

Sapphires take the term “royal blue” to a whole new meaning, with one of the most famous sapphire engagement ring belonging to none other than Princess Diane and Kate Middleton.

The padparascha sapphire is an extremely rare type of pinkish orange fancy coloured variety. The beautiful name comes from a Sinhalese word meaning aquatic lotus blossom. The fetching salmon colour is highly sought after and can sell for prices higher than other sapphires.

Some sapphires can exhibit colour change depending on the type of light it is exposed to. These stones have the ability to adsorb light at two light wavelengths. So in white daylight or fluorescent light they appear blue, meanwhile in incandescent light they appear a reddish purple.

Synthetic sapphires were first introduced in 1902 thanks to French chemist Auguste Verneuil. Verneuil’s flame fusion process made synthetic sapphires more readily available for industrial uses such as satellite communication systems, scientific instruments and even spacecraft windows.

Famous sapphires include the likes of The Star of Adam and The Logan Sapphire. The Star of Adam is a 1,404.49 carat oval shaped stonewhich shows asterism – a quality where the reflection of light by tiny inclusions give the appearance of a 6 pointed star on the surface. The Logan Sapphire is the largest faceted sapphire at 422.99 carats. It was donated to the Smithsonian Institution in 1960 set in a brooch by Mrs. Polly Logan, who the crystal is named after.

Modern sapphire deposits are found in Sri Lanka, Madagascar, China, Eastern Australia, Thailand and East Africa. Unsurprisingly, sapphires are often located in similar geological settings to rubies.

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Although the ancient Egyptian’s cosmic association of peridot and the sun may have been symbolic, the origins of peridot do have some extraterrestrial origin. While most peridot is found in volcanic basalt rock (rock formed from lava cooling) or within the earth’s mantle, a very rare source of Peridot is located in meteorites. This unusual source of Peridot derived from outer space is unlikely to be found jewellery stores but rather inside of a geological museum.

While modern fashion has not favored peridot in contemporary jewellery pieces, peridot was once an extremely popular gemstone. The renowned emerald collection of Cleopatra has recently been suggested to actually have comprised of peridot.

Throughout the ages, peridot has in fact faced many cases of mistaken identity. For centuries it was thought that the extravagant 200 carats of peridot gemstones adorning the Shrine of the Three Kings in Cologne Cathedral, Germany were emeralds. Peridot is a gem quality variety of olivine, a silicate material with iron and magnesium impurities. The yellow-green colour which causes the confusion with other green gemstones such as emerald, green garnet or topaz is a result of iron impurities.

Figure 1: Peridot Tiara belonging to Archduchess Isabella of Austria

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