White Sapphires vs Diamonds: The Perfect Engagement Ring Alternative

Are you looking for alternatives to a diamond engagement ring? White sapphires have become popular options. Learn how they differ from diamonds and how to choose the right center stone for you.

What is White Sapphire?

White sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum, the same mineral that produces rubies and colored sapphires. Unlike its colored counterparts, white sapphire is colorless or near-colorless. This makes it an attractive diamond alternative, as white sapphires can have a similar appearance to diamonds.

White sapphires are found in nature, but they can also be grown in a laboratory. Natural and lab-created white sapphires have the same optical and physical properties, so most consumers can't easily distinguish between the two. Gemologists, however, may be able to find some telltale differences.

White Sapphire vs Diamond

When considering white sapphire vs. diamond for an engagement ring, there are a few key differences to keep in mind:

Beauty

No matter what, a well-cut diamond will show more brilliance, dispersion, and scintillation than a well-cut white sapphire. That means that diamonds will appear brighter (brilliance), have more colorful flashes (dispersion or "fire"), and sparkles of light (scintillation) than sapphires.

Hardness and Durability

Sapphires have excellent hardness and durability. While diamond's Mohs hardness of 10 is higher than sapphire's 9, that difference makes little practical difference. Both diamond and sapphire will resist scratches from everyday hazards, like fingernails, coins, and household dust.

Durability (or tenacity) measures a gemstone's resistance to physical blows. Most gemstones, including diamonds and sapphires, are brittle and can chip or break. Sapphires are no more prone to this than diamonds.

Price and Size

White sapphires are much less expensive than diamonds at any given carat size. Therefore, for the same budget, you can get a much bigger white sapphire than a diamond. However, if you're trying to find a white sapphire that will closely imitate a diamond, their differences become more obvious in larger sizes. Stick to a smaller stone if you want your white sapphire to look like a diamond.

Choosing a White Sapphire Center Stone

If you decide to go with a white sapphire, how can you find the right one? Colored gemstones, like white sapphires, are evaluated differently than diamonds. It's more difficult to compare them based solely on color, clarity, and cut grades. Don't let this discourage you. With the money you've saved by not choosing a diamond, you should be able to find a beautiful white sapphire center stone. By working closely with your jeweler or online retailer, you'll find the best gem your budget will allow.

Here are some tips on what to pay attention to when selecting your white sapphire center stone:

Avoid Cloudiness

Many white sapphires have a milky or cloudy appearance. This goes beyond their characteristic soft, white glow. For an engagement ring, try to choose the most transparent stone you can.

Seek Eye-Clean Clarity

All sapphires typically contain inclusions — tiny mineral crystals or fractures that formed within these gemstones. Try to find a white sapphire that appears eye-clean. That means you can't see any inclusions when you hold the stone about 6 inches from your eyes. (The stone may actually contain inclusions visible under magnification, but you can't see them with the naked eye).

Consider Cut Shape and Quality

White sapphire comes in a variety of cuts and shapes. If you're going for a diamond lookalike appearance, you might opt for a traditional round cut.

Cut quality will greatly affect the appearance of your sapphire. If you have the budget for it, try working with a custom gem cutter. A precision custom cut will ensure you get the most sparkle from your center stone.

Understand Types of Treatments

Make sure you know if your gemstone received any treatments or enhancements. Some are safe, permanent improvements. Others are not. For example, heat treatments are routine for sapphires, and the results are permanent. Almost all sapphires receive this treatment. Heating will improve color and clarity and is an accepted practice in the gem trade.

On the other hand, some white sapphires might receive coatings to make them appear whiter. Scratches from normal wear and tear can removing the coating. Other sapphires undergo a diffusion treatment which alters the outer layer of the stone itself. Nevertheless, this treatment can come off if you have your stone repaired or re-polished.

Avoid purchasing fracture-filled sapphires. These contain leaded glass that makes the gems appear to have better clarity. Although less expensive than non-filled gems, some have so much glass they're more "hybrid gems" than sapphires.

Where to Find Your Best White Sapphire

When shopping for a white sapphire engagement ring, you have several options. You can visit local jewelry stores, search online marketplaces, or work with a custom jeweler.

Local jewelry stores may have a limited selection of white sapphires, but the staff can guide you through the process and help you find the right stone. Online marketplaces  offer a wider variety of white sapphires, but you'll have to do more of the research yourself. When buying online at Natural Gems Belgium, contact through the chat function and let yourself be guided by professionals assisting you in what is your best choice.

For the ultimate customization, consider working with a custom jeweler. They can help you select the perfect white sapphire and design a unique engagement ring setting to showcase it. This may cost more, but you'll end up with a one-of-a-kind ring that perfectly fits your style and budget.

No matter where you shop, take the time to carefully inspect any white sapphire you're considering. Look for the qualities mentioned above, and don't be afraid to ask lots of questions. With a little diligence, you can find a beautiful white sapphire that will make the perfect engagement ring.

Conclusion

White sapphires can be a stunning and more affordable alternative to diamonds for an engagement ring. While they may not have the same level of brilliance and fire as diamonds, white sapphires offer excellent hardness, durability, and value. By understanding the key differences and what to look for, you can find a white sapphire that will beautifully symbolize your love and commitment.