Non-traditional sapphire engagement rings for modern brides.

Alternative Engagement Rings

This 3.65ct marquise sapphire comes from Australian sapphire country and shows the typical, practical character of those deposits. Colour is parti — a clear split between green and golden-pink zones — that shifts depending on angle and light. Under cool daylight the green component reads stronger; under warm indoor light the pink-gold warms up and becomes more apparent. Clarity is VS: small, pinpoint inclusions under 10x, nothing that distracts to the naked eye. The marquise cut gives strong length and presence, with crisp faceting that throws light along the stone’s axis. Expect a modest bow‑tie; orienting the stone correctly in the head will minimise it and maximise face-up colour. Practical jeweller notes: the pointed ends need protection — use V-shaped prongs or a partial bezel to avoid knocks. Two-tone settings work well here; 18ct yellow or rose gold brings out the warm party tone, while platinum/white gold will emphasise the green. Suitable for a bold engagement ring, a solitaire pendant or a signature cocktail ring where the length can be shown off without excessive setting depth.

This is a Sri Lankan (Ceylon) pink sapphire — unheated, which is what you want if you’re after natural colour. In daylight it reads a clean mid-pink with a touch of warmth; under incandescent lighting it leans slightly peachy. The VS clarity means small pinpoint inclusions are only visible under 10x loupe and won’t affect durability or sparkle. The pear cut has been well-proportioned: good length and a balanced pavilion that gives lively facet return and a pleasing bow-tie no worse than you’d expect for a pear. Practical notes from the bench — the point is the vulnerable spot. For everyday wear I recommend a V-prong or partial bezel to protect the tip; a full bezel works well for pendants. Metal pairing: 18k rose gold will enhance the pink, 18k yellow gold will warm it further, and platinum gives a modern, crisp contrast. At 4.12ct and these dimensions it’s ideal as a statement engagement centre or a pendant drop where the colour and size can be appreciated without heavy setting intrusion.

This is a classic Ceylon sapphire — unheated Sri Lanka stone with that clear, cornflower blue you see in the trade. In daylight it reads a bright, clean medium blue; under warm incandescent light it takes on a slightly richer, warmer tone and shows moderate pleochroism if you tilt it. Eye-clean clarity means there are no visible inclusions to the naked eye, so the face-up is open and lively; you won’t need a halo to mask anything. The cushion cut balances brilliant facet play on the crown with a solid pavilion — gives good scintillation without sacrificing depth. For durability, I recommend a four or six-prong head with slightly raised gallery or a low-profile bezel if the piece will be worn daily. Metal pairing: platinum or 18k white gold keeps that pure blue crisp; 18k yellow or rose will warm the stone if you want a softer look. Best uses: engagement ring or a pared-back pendant where the colour is the star, or a signature cocktail ring with protective shoulders. Practical, wearable, and straightforward to set well.

This is an Australian teal sapphire, a reliable commercial source with strong colour saturation after standard heat treatment. In daylight it reads a clean mid-teal — blue leaning with a clear green flash when you tilt it — and under incandescent light the blue warms slightly, giving a richer teal depth. Clarity is VS, so there are small needle and crystal inclusions visible only under 10x that don’t interrupt the light path; that makes the stone lively without risk of obvious visual imperfections in a face-up view. The Asscher step cut here gives crisp, broad facet planes and a controlled, elegant shimmer rather than brilliant sparkle; it shows depth and a windowing effect that suits a step-cut aesthetic. For settings I recommend a secure four-claw with corner protection or a low-profile bezel to protect the angles; an open-profile prong setting will show the cut best but needs reinforced corners. Metal pairing: works well in 18k yellow or rose to lift the green tones, and in platinum if you want a cooler, more modern look. Ideal as a bold engagement centre or a substantial pendant/signature ring.

Mined in Sri Lanka, this is a genuine Ceylon padparadscha — the island produces the truest examples outside Sri Lanka’s historic deposits. Face-up it sits in the medium tone range: a balanced salmon-pink with a definite orange influence. In daylight it reads a softer pink-orange, under warm incandescent lighting the orange becomes more pronounced, and cool LED will push it slightly towards pink. Clarity is VVS: no inclusions visible to the naked eye, only tiny pinpoint crystals under 10x. That clarity gives clean light transmission and a lively face-up without the need for a closed-back setting. The oval cut is well proportioned for its weight, with a pleasing length-to-width ratio and good pavilion depth — you get a strong central flash and even scintillation around the shoulders, with no distracting windowing. Practical notes: padparadscha tones are warmed by 18k yellow or rose gold; platinum or white metal makes the pink side pop. For daily wear choose a low-profile four- or six-prong head with protective shoulders, or a partial bezel for extra security. Ideal for an engagement ring or a pendant where the colour can be seen from both sides.

A precision halo engagement ring centred on a Cornflower Blue Cushion sapphire (2.45ct). The cushion is held in four low-profile platinum prongs to maximise table light return while maintaining everyday wearability. A delicate single-row pavé halo of brilliant cut diamonds enhances the sapphire’s soft blue tone and visually increases its face-up size without overwhelming its natural colour. The band is a 2.2mm comfort-fit Platinum 950 shank, polished to a high shine with lightly rounded shoulders to balance strength and refinement. A restrained under-gallery provides stability and a subtle lift to allow light beneath the pavilion. Proportions are engineered for symmetry and secure setting: prong heads are tapered to remain discrete, the halo sits flush to the centre stone, and the pavé is micro-set for longevity. This design prioritises optical performance of the Cornflower Blue sapphire while offering a modern, durable ring suitable for daily wear.

Cornflower Halo in Platinum 950

An 18k rose gold halo ring centred by a Padparadscha Oval 1.95ct sourced from Sri Lanka. The oval is secured with four low-profile prongs and surrounded by a finely graduated micro‑pavé halo of brilliant-cut diamonds that emphasise the gem's salmon-pink and soft orange tones. The gallery is engineered to increase light return while an underbezel protects the pavilion. The shank measures 2.2mm with a subtle comfort-fit ramp for daily wear and a slight taper toward the setting to draw focus to the centre stone. Finish combines high polish on the crown with a soft satin inner face for tactile contrast. Proportions are balanced to enhance perceived size without overpowering the padparadscha's natural colour. The design prioritises secure mounting, wearable comfort and a contemporary silhouette suited to an engagement ring that celebrates the rare padparadscha hue.