In 2014, a 392.52-carat Ceylon sapphire, also known as the Blue Belle of Asia, sold for over $17 million USD, making it the most expensive sapphire ever sold at auction. This record-breaking sale is a testament to the rapidly growing natural sapphire market and the high value that sapphires can command during a sale. But that does not mean you cannot afford one for your dream engagement ring.
There are various factors that affect the value of a sapphire engagement ring, but when all is said and done, starting at just $1500 for 1.25 carat natural sapphire in a 14 karat gold band is much less than equivalent size diamond engagement ring, a sapphire engagement ring is not only the best option for an engagement ring, it also can be significantly more affordable than a diamond ring.
What Determines the Value of a Real Sapphire Ring?
These colorful stones are among the most popular and desirable gemstones on the market today. There are a few major factors that affect the value of a sapphire:
1. Color
Color is one of the most important attributes that will affect the value of your natural sapphire.
Sapphires exist in a variety of colors. While ruby is the red form of the mineral corundum, all other colors of corundum are called a “sapphire”. Sapphires are generally recognized for their blue hue but sapphires can come in a whole variety of colors with pinks and yellows being the next colors which are becoming very popular along with purple, greens, violet, orange, white (colorless) and even sapphires which can change color referred to as color change sapphires with many colors in between.
The color of a sapphire dictates up to 80% of the value with royal and vivid blues carrying the highest value, unlike diamonds where diamonds with no color carry the highest value.
Like other gemstones, assesment of the color of the sapphire based on three major factors: hue, saturation, and tone.
- Hue refers to the actual color of your stone and any secondary colors that may be present.
- Saturation describes the strength or weakness of the color.
- Tone refers to how light or dark the color of the stone is.
Below you can see a 3.01 ct Royal Blue Ceylon Sapphire graded by the GIA as “Royal Blue”
To see the selection of Genuine Sapphire Rings from blues, pinks, yellow to some of the rarer hues please visit us, here you can see 100’s GIA certified natural sapphire rings and loose sapphires for sale at wholesale prices or less.
2. Carat Weight
The world’s largest gem quality sapphire was unveiled in 2016, a star sapphire weighing 1404.49 carats and found in the Ratnapura in Sri Lanka formerly Ceylon. Many believe that this stone could sell up to $175 million. Carat weight has a large impact on a sapphire’s price. Generally, the greater the carat weight, the more the stone’s value. Remarkably similar to diamonds once a sapphire goes above 3.00 carats the price per carat for good color gems can double per carat as the weight goes up so does the rarity of the stones, once a sapphire goes over 4.00 carats the rarity of these larger stones sees a sharp increase in value.
Below we show a rare unheated Ceylon Yellow Sapphire set into custom made platinum diamond ring carrying 182 hand set brilliant round cut diamonds showing off this sapphire perfectly.
3. Sapphires Clarity Grade
Clarity refers to the inclusions in the sapphire. All natural sapphires have inclusions in them, but the placement, visibility, and a number of inclusions can affect the value of your stone. The most common inclusion within sapphires is long mineral inclusions. Generally, the more inclusions and the more visible they are, the less valuable the stone can be. Still, there are some exceptions: many small inclusions can create a desirable velvety appearance in blue sapphires also called silks which sapphires from Kashmir, Burma, and Sri Lanka are famous for carrying, the silks in the gems can increase the value of the stone sometimes as much as the color.
Above at 40 x magnification, you can see an untreated natural with intersecting rutile needles and negative crystal inclusion. This inclusion can also lead experienced gemologists to deter the origin of a sapphire same as figure prints can for a person.
Above we show silks at the same magnification, regarded as a positive inclusion which can increase the sapphire value giving a stone a rich velvety appearance. Blue sapphires from Kashmir are famous for these inclusions, fetch prices far higher than any other origin.
4. Sapphires Cut Grade
Cut of a sapphire can have an impact on the appearance and value of your sapphire. A high-quality cut can help hide inclusions, improve the sapphire’s color, and maximize the stone’s visual appeal and luster, making the stone more valuable over a poor cut gem.
Near perfect cut vivid blue Natural Ceylon Sapphire set into Custom Diamond Ring
5. Origin of Sapphires
Geographic origin can also have an effect on the value of a sapphire. Though quality can vary greatly within a specific region, sapphires from Kashmir almost always have the highest value setting a record in 2014 for a blue Kashmir sapphire at 28 carats fetching just over $5 million USD for this one sapphire at auction in New York City.
Sapphires from Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and Burma are also desirable with prices in the Gem Guide for sapphires from Sri Lanka also known as “Ceylon Sapphire” fetching as much as 20-25% more per carat against a sapphire from say Thailand or Australia.
To view where gem quality natural sapphire can be found visit our list here on sapphire origins.
6. Sapphires Treatments
Sapphire treatments are one of the first questions you should ask before buying any sapphire! We put a lot of focus into the importance of asking for either a GIA report or AGL report for sapphires in our education. Whether loose or set into an engagement ring, it is essential to have one of these top gemology reports.
Only sapphires which are untreated or sapphire with natural heat can be called natural sapphires, all other treatments listed here will destroy a sapphire value to the same prices as synthetic (man-made) sapphire. It is essential to insist on a gemology report for your sapphire ring you are looking at buying, knowing what if any treatments a sapphire has had is extremely difficult especially for diffusion treatments, even for an experienced gemologist. A GIA report is the only real way to know the sapphire is a true natural stone.
I have added links to both the GIA along with a page we have on what you need to know before buying a natural sapphire engagement ring.
GIA: https://www.gia.edu/sapphire
What you need to know: https://www.sapphirerings.org/top-10-tips-on-buying-a-sapphire-ring
Below 4.03 ct Blue emerald cut untreated sapphire ring with the GIA report for the stone
7. Market Conditions
Market conditions can also have an impact on the value of your sapphire. The demand for sapphires at the time of sale will influence the offers you receive. Over the last 10 years sapphire prices have risen by an average of 15% annually as demand keeps increasing.
2.55 carat platinum sapphire engagement ring set with untreated Ceylon blue sapphire.
The Price of a Sapphire Gemstone
As we saw above, Sapphire prices can range greatly depending on many factors. They can come as low as $100 per carat to over $11,000 per carat. We know that’s a wide range, but this means more choices for you! Concerned about how much you’ll have to spend to pop that big question? Rest easy because, unlike diamond, there is no need to part away with three months of your paycheck. . Regardless of how much your budget is, know that there is a beautiful sapphire ring that’s within your reach.
Visit us today at Sapphire Rings Co, and buy your dream ring at wholesale prices. Of course, if you really want to splurge, a sapphire ring is great for that too. We carry a wide section from $1,500.00 to over $40,000.00.
Below a rare 10.18 carat flawless blue cushion cut sapphire set into custom made platinum diamond ring
In Conclusion
The question, “how much is a sapphire engagement ring?” has many different answers. When it comes to engagement rings, literally the sky is the limit. Or you can have our expert jewelers design a ring for you that’s within your budget, as well as unique.
The real beauty of going for the sapphire is that it looks pricier than it is! Now, should you decide that you want to spend millions, we can make that happen too!
Please visit our store at https://www.sapphirerings.org/ or contact us by phone, we open 24/7 with experienced customer support at 727 797 0007.
