When buying an engagement ring, you have to make a variety of decisions. You’ll need to pick the right metal, the right setting, and the right stone. Diamond engagement rings have been the gold standard for many years now, so you might be thinking about shopping for a diamond ring. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with checking out some of your other options, too. For example, you could be wondering if a white sapphire might be a good alternative to a diamond. Before you make this choice, these are some of the things you’ll want to know.
What Are White Sapphires?
Sapphires are corundums. They are made from aluminum oxides. When other trace elements are included, these elements cause sapphires to have their color. For example, blue sapphires have iron and titanium. The reason why white sapphires are colorless is because they don’t feature any trace elements.
White Sapphires vs. Diamonds: Which is More Durable?
When buying an engagement ring, it’s important to choose a ring that will stand the test of time. After all, it’s meant to be worn every day. The durability of your stone does matter.
Diamonds are actually much harder than white sapphires; four times harder, in fact. Sapphires can be scratched very easily, which isn’t the case with diamonds. They have to be repolished a lot more frequently than diamonds. However, diamonds are more likely to chip than sapphires.
White Sapphires vs. Diamonds: Which One is More Sparkly?
Sparkle might be at the top of your must-have list when you’re shopping for an engagement ring. If this is the case, then you’re probably going to want to choose a diamond ring. Diamonds have a trademark sparkle that simply isn’t replicated with a white sapphire. A white sapphire might even look like a low-quality diamond due to its cloudy look and lack of refraction.
White Sapphires vs. Diamonds: Which One Costs More?
If you’re like most people, you probably have a budget that you need to stick to when shopping for an engagement ring. In fact, budget might be the main reason why you’re considering a white sapphire in the first place.
As you might have noticed, white sapphires are quite a bit cheaper than natural diamonds. This allows you to buy a cheaper ring, or you can get a much bigger stone for the same price.
Even if you’re on a tight budget, though, you may want to consider a real diamond. After all, there are ways to buy a nice diamond engagement ring without spending a fortune. First, buying used from a shop like Greenbrier Pawn is a surefire way to save money on a diamond ring. Choosing a smaller diamond helps, too. One trick is to purchase a halo engagement ring that features a relatively small center diamond that is surrounded by tiny diamonds. This allows you to get a ring that looks bigger than it is without spending as much. Some diamond cuts look bigger than others.
Colorful Sapphire Engagement Rings
Although we typically recommend diamonds instead of white sapphires for engagement rings, this doesn’t mean that sapphires don’t have their place.
You might be interested in a non-traditional engagement ring, so you might not actually be interested in a clear or white stone. Instead, you could be interested in a ring that features one or more colorful gemstones.
This is an area where sapphires can really shine. A pink or blue sapphire can look positively stunning and unique in an engagement ring. Therefore, if a colorful ring is what you have in mind, you may want to give a sapphire a second look.
Of course, diamonds come in different colors, too. A pink or yellow diamond ring might be worth your consideration instead of a colorful sapphire.
Luckily, we offer rings with a variety of different gemstones at Greenbrier Pawn, and our jewelry is available at a fraction of the cost you would pay at a regular jewelry store. Stop by today to take a look at what’s in our cases, and let one of our associates help you pick your dream ring.