Q.  I’m not really into diamonds. Can you recommend an alternative gemstone for my engagement ring?

A.  Certainly. Here at  S T E P H E N  KRIS  designs I always recommend sapphires to my customers. In addition to their beauty, sapphires have attributes that make them an excellent gemstone choice for engagement rings. Sapphires are composed of corundum and rated 9 on the Mohs Scale of gemstone hardness, second only to diamonds which are rated 10. Because sapphires are so durable they are not prone to chipping, cracking, or breaking. Sapphires are not easily scratched or affected by chemicals commonly found in household products.  This resistance to chemicals means that your stone will not become etched, cloudy, or lose its polish under normal conditions. Because sapphires can be polished to a brilliant sheen and can easily take the stress of everyday wear, they are my number one recommendation to customers who prefer a color gemstone instead of a diamond.

Q.  What gives a natural sapphire its color?

A.  When you mention ‘sapphire’ many customers immediately think BLUE. While this is somewhat accurate, it is not the whole story.  Pure corundum (what natural sapphires are comprised of) is colorless, but most corundum contains minute amounts of natural trace elements.  The traditional blue sapphire is colored by a combination of the trace elements iron and titanium.  Iron and chromium together result in gold or orange sapphires, and when chromium is the only trace element, it makes a sapphire pink or a ruby red. These different combinations of trace elements are responsible for the extraordinary range of colors in sapphires, which are commonly called fancy sapphires.  This variability makes each sapphire unique from all others. Sapphires are available in a vast array of cuts and a rainbow pallet of colors: Blue, Yellow, Pink, Green, Orange, Purple, Red, Cognac.

Contact  S T E P H E N  KRIS  to create your stunning heirloom sapphire engagement ring or other architectural fine jewelry.