Check Out This Stunning 2-Carat Marquise-Cut Sapphire & Diamond Ring
Today, we want to present to you a very special ring in our collection at Diamonds By Raymond Lee. It is a marquise cut sapphire and diamond halo ring with an all around exquisite design. Below, we will tell you all about this ring, as well as why sapphires and the marquise cut are so exceptional, both visually, symbolically, and historically.
18K MARQUISE CUT SAPPHIRE & DIAMOND HALO RING
This unique ring features a stunning 2-carat marquise cut sapphire center stone. Surrounding the gorgeous blue stone is a double halo of dazzlingly round brilliant diamonds, which, together, take form in the same marquise shape.
Adding to the immense beauty of the centerpiece is a large, wide band that contains baguette diamonds at its center and round brilliants at its flanks. The remarkable size of the band perfectly complements the colossal centerpiece.
Overall, the size, the brilliance, the marquise shape, and the contrast of blue and white makes for a one-of-a-kind statement piece. This is a ring that will never go unnoticed, yet its “loudness” is done in the most elegant and graceful way. This is a ring made for a queen, but it is set at a price that allows nearly any woman who desires it to be royalty. For an 18k white gold ring that accommodates a 2 carat sapphire, 1.5 carats of round brilliant diamonds, 1 carat of baguettes, a $3,195 price tag is a steal. At Diamonds By Raymond Lee and Raymond Lee Jewelers, we make the gem of royalty accessible for everyone.
Read on to learn more about this ring and the natural elements that form it.
SAPPHIRE CENTER STONE
The sapphire is one of the most highly sought after gemstones, and it has been that way for more than a thousand years. This gorgeous blue gem has been connected with royalty from the very beginning, hence the name “royal blue”.
Sapphire gems are part of the precious gemstone class, which is reserved for only four special gemstones: Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, and Diamond.
They can be found across the world in various regions, such as Thailand, China, Eastern Australia, Madagascar, Africa, India, and Montana.
The sapphire is a variation of the mineral Corundum. And while the name “sapphire” brings to mind a vivid, royal blue color, this kind of Corundum naturally forms in the crust of the Earth in varying colors of the rainbow. There are blue, pink, orange, green, yellow, and purple sapphires…and all different hues in-between. However, red Corundums are not sapphires, they are rubies.
Scientifically speaking, rubies and sapphires are the same, as they are both a corundum made from alumina and oxygen. It’s just the color that defines the two.
Sapphires form in different colors because of other trace elements. For blue sapphires, like the one you see in this marquise sapphire ring, they get their blue color from traces of iron and titanium.
In terms of color, blue sapphires are the most prized, followed by the ultra rare orangish-pink sapphire known as the padparadscha sapphire. Nevertheless, not all blue sapphires are created equal…
The 4Cs of Sapphires
Like diamonds, sapphires are graded on color, clarity, cut and carat weight. For sapphires, color is the most important.
While a sapphire may be blue, the hues will vary. For example, they may have a slight green, strong green, slight purple or strong purple hue to the blue. The closer a blue sapphire is to “true” blue, the more expensive and desirable it is.
But, it’s not only about hue, tone and saturation play a key role as well. Tone relates to how light or how dark the color is, with a medium to dark range being the best. As for saturation, the most desirable sapphires will be those with a highly vivid and saturated color. You want it to be a rich blue, but it also needs to be vivid and radiant.
Unlike diamonds, there is no D-Z color grade for sapphires. Sapphires have a less elaborate color grading system. This means jewelers and sapphire buyer’s must use their best judgement.
Then, you have clarity, which describes inclusions or imperfections (no natural sapphire will be perfect), cut, which relates to its symmetry and light performance, shapes (typically sapphires are cut into oval, round, cushion, emerald or marquise shapes), and finally, carat weight, which is the size of the sapphire.
Sapphire Prices
Depending on the 4Cs, natural sapphires can range from $450-$1,600 per carat. Of course, it can be much higher than this for a very rare and exquisite sapphire.
Fun fact: The most expensive sapphire ever sold for $135,000 per carat.
What do blue sapphires symbolize?
Traditionally speaking, sapphires symbolize nobility, good fortune, sincerity, truth, and faithfulness. This precious gemstone has adorned the robes of royalty and clergy members for many centuries.
Sapphires have always been closely associated with royalty and romance. One of many examples is Prince Charles’ engagement to Princess Diana, in which he gave her a blue sapphire engagement ring (which has since been passed down to Prince William, who in turn, gave it to Kate Middleton).
But the meaningfulness of sapphires dates back much further. In Ancient Greece and Rome, Kings and Queens believed blue sapphires protected them from envy and harm. The clergy wore blue sapphires as a way to symbolize Heaven, which made ordinary folk think the gem attracted heavenly blessings.
Other ancient symbolisms of the sapphire include the power to influence spirits, guard chastity, make peace between enemies, and reveal the secrets of oracles.
Why are blue sapphires the best for rings?
Blue sapphires are by far the most popular choice for rings because they have a very special elegance and beauty to them. There is no other blue gemstone like the sapphire. Their beauty and radiance is unparalleled. They make for a very strong statement, while also being somewhat understated compared to other colored gems like rubies and emeralds. Blue is so very easy on the eyes. In fact, it is said to be the easiest color on the eyes. It’s a very cool color, which is less intrusive. This is why the brilliant blue color comes off as somewhat downplayed, even though the gem itself is incredibly vibrant and luxurious.
What’s more, blue pairs incredibly well with white gold and white diamonds, as you can see with the featured 18k white gold marquise cut sapphire and diamond halo ring. The contrast between the blue and white is truly magnificent.
MARQUISE CUT
This sapphire has a marquise-cut, which is one of the least common cuts for a sapphire. Nevertheless, a perfect one.
The marquise-cut has a rich history, dating back to the 18th century. The narrative is that the French King Louis the 15th, who reigned from 1710 to 1774, recruited his court jewelers to manifest a diamond to match the smile of his chief mistress, Jean Antoinette Poisson, the Marquise de Pompadour (hence the name, Marquise). This tale might be apocryphal, however, the name marquise does tell us that this sophisticated, graceful cut was surely associated with aristocracy. After all, the term “marquise” (feminine version of marquess) refers to a hereditary rank between duke and earl.
Note: You will also hear some people refer to the marquise cut diamond as a navette, which means “little ship” in French.
Benefits of the marquise cut:
- The shape complements hands and fingers of all sizes. The elongated shape is especially complementary on slender hands with long fingers. However, it is also great for those with shorter fingers because it has a slimming effect.
- Marquise cuts are shallow, so much of the carat weight is at the top. This means that a marquise cut will appear a lot larger than other diamond shapes of the same carat weight.
- The marquise cut, while very distinct, elegant and less common, is surprisingly affordable. You’d think for such a unique, special cut it would cost more, but that is not the case.
- Marquise cuts are brilliant and they have a high amount of fire. This is particularly true for diamonds, but still works incredibly well for sapphires too, which are less brilliant and fiery by nature.
- Marquise cuts are great at hiding color tints and minor inclusions, which can make a lower grade sapphire appear more rich and high grade.
- They offer a vintage style, which modern women love. It’s a timeless shape for a ring destined to be an heirloom piece.
DIAMOND HALO SETTING
This sapphire ring has a diamond halo setting. As such, small, round brilliant diamonds encircle the center marquise sapphire gemstone, forming a pave diamond marquise shape “halo”.
However, with this halo setting, you have double the fun. This adds significant size to the center piece as a whole. Furthermore, it complements the ample size of the sapphire better.
We really love halo settings for sapphire rings because the contrast is just unbelievably splendid. The blue and white colors work so well together. It’s extremely captivating and pleasing to the eyes. This is a gemstone combo for the ages.
Additionally, besides the contrast of color, you have the contrast in the gems’ performance. The round brilliant diamonds add fire, brilliance and scintillation, while the sapphire provides a beautiful luster and a more shifty kind of shine.
18K WHITE GOLD
When using a sapphire and diamond combination, a white metal is always preferred. It keeps the white and blue colors completely unsullied. With rose gold or yellow gold, the pink or yellow color will show up in the diamonds, throwing off the powerful polarity between the white and blue.
As such, this ring is made entirely of 18k white gold.
WIDE DIAMOND BAND WITH ROUND BRILLIANT AND BAGUETTE DIAMONDS
For this sapphire ring, the designer decided to go with a wide diamond band. This is a statement piece; a cocktail ring; an everyday-wear for sapphire lovers. So, a prominent band was in order, especially consider how big the centerpiece is. It is a perfectly suitable size for this particular ring, taking up enough finger real estate to give that “full” look contemporary women love.
The band is uses both baguette diamonds and round brilliants. The baguettes channel the inner part of the band, tapering down as the band wraps around the bottom side of the finger. Then, on both sides of the band, you have a row of round brilliants.
With both baguettes and round brilliants, you have a contrast in light performance. The round brilliant diamonds offer amazing radiance (aka ice). While the baguettes provide a hall of mirror effect, which is a more watery, chandelier like reflection of light. Together, you get the best of both worlds.
WHERE TO BUY SAPPHIRE RINGS IN BOCA RATON?
If you love this marquise-cut 2-carat sapphire and diamond halo ring, you can purchase it online or in-store at Diamonds By Raymond Lee in Boca Raton. Feel free to stop in during our hours of operation to come try it on. If you decide to purchase this online, we will ship it fully insured the same day. You can see the full sales listing for this sapphire diamond halo ring here.
Want to see more sapphire rings?
At Raymond Lee Jewelers (our flagship jewelry store in West Boca) and Diamonds By Raymond Lee (our newer state-of-the-art showroom in East Boca), we have a wide selection of stunning sapphire rings to choose from. We have something for everyone’s taste and budget.
See our collection of sapphire rings at Raymond Lee Jewelers
See our collection of sapphire rings at Diamonds By Raymond Lee
Have questions about sapphires or sapphire rings? Please contact us to speak with one of our expert gemologists. We will be happy to hear from you.