Blue sapphire is becoming one of the most popular gems among women because of its beauty and uniqueness. But, since this gem comes in so many different shades, you may be wondering who can wear blue sapphire, and what type of blue sapphire will suit your personality best? The answer to both questions lies in the different types of blue sapphire that are available on the market today. Let’s take a look at three of the most popular ones that you can find in jewelry stores today.
Rose cut
The round brilliant cut is one of two most common cuts for blue sapphires, with its other major form being a more square-shaped cushion cut. The rose cut traditionally produces a very high-quality stone. Sapphires in many shapes and sizes can be found in rose cuts, though all have 57 facets. Look for smaller, cheaper stones to come in these cuts; bigger stones often find their way into cushion or mixed cuts instead because they’re harder to produce. If you’re shopping for a small but good quality gemstone, look at rose cuts first. They’ll generally cost less than similarly sized stones in another cut while providing similar visual impact.
Another style of sapphire that has been around since ancient times is called an ovoid cut. This unusual-looking gemstone isn’t as popular as it once was, but if you see one that catches your eye it’s worth considering because they can provide some real eye candy (and they’re sometimes quite affordable). Unlike standard gemstones that use symmetry to give them sparkle and shine, ovoid gems get their brilliance from a reflective ball set on top of an oval shaped stone.
Oval cut
Oval-cut blue sapphires, which were popularized by Tiffany & Co., feature pointed ends and a bold look. Oval blue sapphires shine with excellent brilliance. They’re not as deep as marquise or princess cuts, so they have less fire than other blue sapphire cuts—but they do have a lovely subtle sparkle. If you like white gold or platinum jewelry and you want a bold piece that’s also understated, oval blue sapphires could be right for you.
Cushion cut
The cushion cut is one of three basic cuts used to shape a cvd diamond. The cushion cut is designed to maximize light return and brilliance, so it’s ideal for blue sapphires. This is because blue diamonds refract light better than other colors, which means that more light bounces around inside them and exits through their top surface, where they can be seen. Because it’s relatively uncommon, a cushion-cut blue sapphire will cost substantially more than an oval or princess-cut stone with similar color and clarity levels; however, some jewelers charge only slightly more for these stones as well—which is why it’s important to do your research before buying.
Radiant cut
This is probably one of your most common options, and it’s easy to see why. The faceting pattern on a radiant-cut stone has a lot in common with other round cuts, like brilliant or trillion. The faceting pattern looks like an octagon, which means that you get large faces, big sparkle and lots of fire in return for minimal weight. If you want small diamonds and big bling, you might want to consider radiant-cut stones.
Pear shape
Pear-shaped stones often have very strong color. This is because, due to their long sides, they absorb more light than round or oval stones and thus display deeper color. A good example of a pear-shaped stone is aquamarine. Pear-shaped gems tend to appear larger than round gems with a similar carat weight, but keep in mind that two diamonds may look very different even if they’re both around 1 carat. The classic trick is comparing side by side; with pear and marquise cuts you can also ask your jeweler to select another stone as a point of comparison so you can see how much lighter (or darker) it looks next to your own diamond.
Traditional round brilliant cuts
Round brilliant cuts that have an aspect ratio between 1.85 and 2.00 can yield medium to deep blue hues while stones with a lower aspect ratio produce lighter hues. Sapphires can also be cut in other shapes, such as emerald or oval cuts, which typically offer brighter colors than round cuts but not quite as brilliant (brilliance is a stone’s ability to reflect light back out through its top surface). The depth and color range possible with blue sapphires is actually quite vast; it’s just up to you to find your favorite hue.
Triangle cushion cuts
The cut used to make these stones is called a cushion, which makes sense as they’re usually large cushions made of little stones that add up to a lot. These gems tend to be bright and lively with lots of sparkle. Depending on its size, color and clarity, you can expect these stones to cost between $1,000 and $20,000 per carat. Cushion cuts are very versatile in terms of jewelry design so if you find one you love with all your heart there’s no need to worry about shopping around – simply let your jeweler know what kind of setting you’d like (ring or pendant) and let them do their thing!
