Sapphire is the most popular colored gemstone for engagement rings. The rich blue has symbolized fidelity since the Roman Empire. Sapphire is a type of gemstone called Corundum. The gemstone is very durable, only diamond is harder. Though sapphire comes in a rainbow of colors, the most popular color is a rich, saturated blue. Yellows, greens and peaches are also at the top our list.

Here’s what to look for when browsing for your ultimate sapphire engagement ring:

• A ring that is spectacular but not huge - it has to be comfortable and wearable long-term. Strong, rich color in the sapphire.
• Even, symmetrical outlines and sparkling facets with sharp lines and no pits or chips.
• ​Designs that make good use of the contrast between sapphire and either the metal or other stones. You want that ring to really pop, but not clash.

Here’s how to spot a good sapphire: Look for stones that are well made with symmetrical facets, a symmetrical outline, and a glittering polish. Look for a stone with rich, even color that saturates the entire stone. The most expensive sapphires have a velvety internal glow caused by minute crystals in the structure of the stone. Some people love the soft-focus look of velvety sapphires, some people prefer a sharper crystal-clear look. Whatever the experts say, you should choose what you love.

​Avoid stones with worn facets (they will look smudgy instead of crystal sharp) and stones with any chips on the edges. Avoid stones with stripes of color (called color zoning) or stones with strange patches of very intense blue. That could be a sign of color treatment - but not necessarily. You should always ask about color or heat treatments when you are buying a stone. Unheated sapphires are rarer, and not necessarily better.

Sapphire looks great with either yellow or white gold, and especially good with some diamond accents. The refined and elegant contrast of sapphire and diamond was hugely popular in the Deco era and there are endless and spectacular examples from the time that would make wonderful engagement rings. Follow the board below to see spectacular sapphire rings that were chosen by Little Bird engagement ring consultants and gem experts.  

If you ever have a question about sapphires, treatments, diamonds or engagement rings in general, please drop us a line! We are here to help. ​You can also head on over to the Little Bird TOOL BOX where you can peruse more libraries of images curated by Little Bird engagement ring consultants in order to help bolster your visual vocabulary.

Best wishes!
- LITTLE BIRDS

Now how to make this happen for yourself? Jean-Noel Soni works with many designers and we would be happy to help put you in touch.

Jean-Noel Soni is based in San Francisco, where he lives with his family. He travels a lot. You can get to drooling here.

Hey, that’s our favorite. To celebrate the transition into freshness and spring we have selected a stunning palette of colored diamonds for you to browse. Colors range from the rainy grays of April showers to the soft greens of new shoots and dewy buds. The word diamond comes from the Greek word adámas meaning "unbreakable.”  FYI the colors in diamonds appear because of trace minerals that become trapped in between the layers of carbon as the diamond crystals are forming deep within the earth. Some diamonds are 3.3 billion years old, making them the OLDEST THINGS ON THE PLANET. Older than the continents.