Sapphire engagement rings have become increasingly popular since
Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton with his mother's stunning 18
carat blue sapphire. Second only to diamonds when it comes to hardness
and durability, sapphires are mined all over the world and can be found
in India, Ceylon, Burma, Australia, Brazil, Thailand, Vietnam, Africa
and the USA.
Although sapphires come in a rainbow-assortment of colours, like blue, pink, yellow, orange and purple, there is no doubt that blue sapphire engagement rings prove to be the most popular. These coveted blue sapphires are mostly from Australia and Thailand; the mines of Australia have produced more commercial-grade blue sapphires than any other source in history.
The oldest sapphire mines are those in Sri Lanka, an island whose heritage in the mining arena goes back more than 2000 years and where some of the most stunning sapphire engagement rings have their origins. The island is nicknamed Gem Island because of the variety of gems found here, such as garnets, topaz and moonstones, but Sri Lanka is best recognised for its sapphires, the Ceylon Blue and the sapphire called Padparadscha. The beautiful and unique orange-pink pastel colour of the Padparadscha sapphire, which translates as 'lotus flower', is found only in Sri Lanka and is considered a collector's item, with prices ranging from $4,000 to $10,000 per carat. The second largest blue sapphire ever found is of Sri Lankan origin, known as the Logan Sapphire and which weighs a massive 423 carats.
The Spokane Bar, on the banks of the Hauser Lake, has played a very important role in the history of sapphire mining. The story goes that the governor, Hauser - the lake's namesake - and his partners were panning for gold when they stumbled across some priceless sapphires. Today, sapphires of every colour and hue can be found at Spokane Bar, although the most common are the blue-green sapphires. Another famous American mine is the Old Presley Sapphire Mine in North Carolina, the oldest mine in operation in the region and whose claim to fame is the discovery of the 1,445 carat sapphire which was given the name, the Star of the Carolinas.
If you want to experience some mining for yourself, the Montana-based mine, Rock Creek, where sapphires were discovered as early as 1892, is today the only place that has enough quantities to make it commercially viable for visitors to enjoy mining for gems. Rock Creek is the only one of four areas of sapphire deposits in Montana where sapphires of such a fine quality and variety of colours can be found.
So when browsing amongst the various colours and hues of sapphire engagement rings, you will now be a bit more knowledgeable about from which part of the world such beautiful rings have come.
Although sapphires come in a rainbow-assortment of colours, like blue, pink, yellow, orange and purple, there is no doubt that blue sapphire engagement rings prove to be the most popular. These coveted blue sapphires are mostly from Australia and Thailand; the mines of Australia have produced more commercial-grade blue sapphires than any other source in history.
The oldest sapphire mines are those in Sri Lanka, an island whose heritage in the mining arena goes back more than 2000 years and where some of the most stunning sapphire engagement rings have their origins. The island is nicknamed Gem Island because of the variety of gems found here, such as garnets, topaz and moonstones, but Sri Lanka is best recognised for its sapphires, the Ceylon Blue and the sapphire called Padparadscha. The beautiful and unique orange-pink pastel colour of the Padparadscha sapphire, which translates as 'lotus flower', is found only in Sri Lanka and is considered a collector's item, with prices ranging from $4,000 to $10,000 per carat. The second largest blue sapphire ever found is of Sri Lankan origin, known as the Logan Sapphire and which weighs a massive 423 carats.
The Spokane Bar, on the banks of the Hauser Lake, has played a very important role in the history of sapphire mining. The story goes that the governor, Hauser - the lake's namesake - and his partners were panning for gold when they stumbled across some priceless sapphires. Today, sapphires of every colour and hue can be found at Spokane Bar, although the most common are the blue-green sapphires. Another famous American mine is the Old Presley Sapphire Mine in North Carolina, the oldest mine in operation in the region and whose claim to fame is the discovery of the 1,445 carat sapphire which was given the name, the Star of the Carolinas.
If you want to experience some mining for yourself, the Montana-based mine, Rock Creek, where sapphires were discovered as early as 1892, is today the only place that has enough quantities to make it commercially viable for visitors to enjoy mining for gems. Rock Creek is the only one of four areas of sapphire deposits in Montana where sapphires of such a fine quality and variety of colours can be found.
So when browsing amongst the various colours and hues of sapphire engagement rings, you will now be a bit more knowledgeable about from which part of the world such beautiful rings have come.
Frederick Holm is staff writer for of the F&L Designer
Guides, compiled and written to help consumers choose a unique
engagement ring design. From a diamond to a sapphire engagement ring
from a princess cut to a platinum band, we have ideas and opinions
covering all the options. Offering advice, tips and suggestions on how
to choose that perfect ring, F&L will accompany you on every stage
of your search to find the right designer.
