Sapphires have many symbolic associations and have long been popular as engagement ring stones among nobility and celebrities. While still a poor soldier, Napoleon splurged on a ring set for Josephine with an inverted pear-cut sapphire and an upright pear-cut diamond, each stone just one carat in size. This ring style, known as “You and Me,” was incredibly popular during the 18th century. Princess Kate’s engagement ring consists of an oval 12-ct Ceylon sapphire surrounded by a halo of diamonds. In the 1980s, Prince Charles had picked the center stone with Lady Diana and had it set in a ring. Prince William, their son, presented the ring to Kate Middleton in 2010. It has since become one of the most famous engagement rings in the world. Other celebrities with notable sapphire engagement rings include Penelope Cruz and ElizabethHurley.

At a 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness, sapphires can resist scratching better than all other natural gemstones besides diamonds. In addition, they have no cleavage and can have a tough tenacity, which means they also resist shattering from impacts. From a practical standpoint, sapphire is one of the best options for an engagement ring stone. (Because of this durability, some manufacturers use synthetic sapphire layers for watch faces and smartphone screens). Jewellery makers can set sapphires relatively easily, whether faceted or cabbed. Most faceted sapphire engagement ring stones receive prong settings so viewers can admire the gem from all angles. (Vintage and Art Deco-inspired designs often place sapphires in bezel settings). Pears, hearts, and marquises need V-shaped prongs to protect their points. Square or emerald-cut sapphires often need prongs on their corners to prevent chipping. Most prongs on the market today are short and rounded. However, long and pointed claw prongs have recently come into fashion. Claw settings can add a modern or edgy touch to an engagement ring. White gold or platinum settings tend to give sapphires a clean, elegant look. Yellow and rose gold, on the other hand, will make the colour of a blue sapphire stand out more.

How much care sapphires require depends greatly on their treatments. Untreated sapphires as well as those that only received heating are both stable and durable. These gems, as well as lattice-diffused sapphires, are fairly resistant to heat, light, and most chemicals. They can be cleaned in ultrasonic and steam cleaning systems.
Mild acids can damage fracture-filled or dyed sapphires. Clean these gems with damp cloths only. Boric acid can damage any type of sapphire, so keep your sapphires away from any solutions that contain it. Lattice-diffused stones usually only have a shallow layer of colour. Scratches or re-polishing can easily remove it. Treat these stones very carefully or their inner colour will show through, giving them a messy look.