Velvety Blue Sapphire
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Stud Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Tote Bags
2010s American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Tourmaline, Paraiba, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Brooches
Sapphire, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century British Victorian Drop Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Three-Stone Rings
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Late Victorian Cluster Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Art Deco Cocktail Rings
20th Century British Modern Cluster Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s American Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Cluster Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Antique 1890s Victorian Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
- 1
Velvety Blue Sapphire For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Velvety Blue Sapphire?
The Legacy of Sapphire in Jewelry Design
On 1stDibs, shop the bright blue gems that star in sapphire rings, sapphire necklaces and other vintage and antique sapphire jewelry.
Sapphires — the stone of choice for Napoleon, Princess Diana and Elizabeth Taylor — have been a favorite of aristocrats and the well-to-do since the time of the Ancient Greeks.
Picture a sapphire. If the stone you conjure is a deep cornflower blue, you’re seeing only part of the picture. Although blue Kashmirs are considered the most valuable, sapphires come in every color except red. No matter the hue, this very special gem is rich in history and beloved by royals (FYI, Princess Diana and Kate Middleton share an 11-carat sapphire engagement ring), so September babies are in very noble company.
America’s version of royalty — old money and celebrities — have also shown a predilection for the blue stones. In 1940, John D. Rockefeller Jr. had Cartier mount a 62-carat sapphire he had bought from an Indian maharajah in a brooch for his first wife, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller; in 2001, the piece sold for a then-record of $3,031,000 at Christie’s New York.
The grand dame of jewelry, Elizabeth Taylor had a passion for the gems that her lovers were happy to indulge. Second husband Michael Wilding gave her an engagement ring set with a cabochon sapphire, while Richard Burton famously presented her with a BVLGARI sautoir set with diamonds and sapphires, including at its center a cabochon Burmese weighing 52.72 carats. One of the star lots in the sale of Taylor’s jewels at the Christie’s New York in 2011, it sold for $5,906,500.
You don’t have to have blue blood or a bulging bank account, however, to get an eyeful of this much-coveted gem. A number of outstanding examples reside in public collections.
The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History owns the 423-carat Logan sapphire, a gift from the Guggenheim family, and the Hall sapphire and diamond necklace, designed by Harry Winston and featuring 36 fine, well-matched cushion-cut Sri Lankan sapphires weighing a combined 195 carats. Also in the collection is the Bismarck sapphire necklace, designed by Cartier and sporting a central sapphire weighing 98.6 carats, which Mona Von Bismarck donated to the museum.
Sapphires are composed of corundum. Their color derives from trace elements, such as iron, titanium, chromium, copper or magnesium. When the trace element produces a ruby hue, the stone is called, what else, a ruby. (which is, as mentioned above, why sapphires cannot be red by definition).
The allure of large gemstones endures throughout the periods characterized as vintage, and sapphire features frequently in vintage engagement rings. (On 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement rings, vintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings.)
Find an exquisite collection of vintage and antique sapphire jewelry on 1stDibs.
- What is a blue Ceylon sapphire?1 Answer
Roman Malakov DiamondsMarch 22, 2021A Ceylon Sapphire is a sapphire the originated from Sri Lanka. These sapphires are popular due to their quality, range of blue shades, and overall beauty. - What is synthetic blue sapphire?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A synthetic blue sapphire is an authentic sapphire crafted in a lab using a technique known as flame fusion. The chemical makeup of a synthetic sapphire is identical to a natural sapphire. Browse 1stDibs to find a collection of synthetic sapphire jewelry from top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Whether or not royal blue and sapphire blue are the same color is largely a matter of personal perception and how the names are used. Generally, both colors describe a deep bright blue. You may see them used generally, but manufacturers of paints, apparel and other items that come in many hues may refer to one blue as royal and another as sapphire.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Blue sapphires are usually the most expensive sapphire. Some can cost as much as $25 per carat and others can cost over $11,000 per carat. The price is usually dependent on the stone's quality.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021The best cuts for a blue sapphire are said to be oval, round, and cushion. The look of an oval-cut sapphire is similar to that of a round sapphire. The slightly extended shape, on the other hand, can make it appear larger than a similar-weight stone. A round cut is one of the most traditional shapes, and it helps a gem dazzle to its full potential. The presence of about 58 facets results in a large amount of light being reflected. Cushion cut, sometimes known as the 'pillow-cut,' has been popular for generations due to its cushion-like appearance. The gemstone has a rectangular form with soft, slightly rounded corners in this cut. Typically, the crown has 58 to 64 big facets. These cuts were popular in numerous forms of jewelry, including rings, pendants, and earrings. Find a wide variety of blue sapphire jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The term blue star sapphire means a blue corundum stone that displays a six-pointed star when viewed in the light. Blue star sapphires are usually polished cabochons rather than cut gems. On 1stDibs, find a variety of blue star sapphire gemstone jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A blue sapphire engagement ring is traditionally symbolic of faithfulness, wisdom and honesty. One of the most renowned blue sapphire engagement rings belonged to Princess Diana. Shop a range of authentic vintage and contemporary blue sapphire engagement rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021A blue sapphire ring is worth about $8,000 depending on the carat weight and quality of the stone. Blue sapphires are the most valuable color of this particular gem, making a blue sapphire ring quite valuable. A broad range of blue sapphire rings can be found on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023Yes, blue sapphire can be a good option for a wedding ring. Rated at 9 out of 10 on the Mohs scale, the gemstone resists scratches and cleavage, making it a durable choice for everyday wear. Blue sapphires also traditionally symbolize faithfulness and loyalty, so they can represent a lasting commitment to one's wedding vows. Shop a collection of blue sapphire wedding rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A blue star sapphire has a transparent body with a deep blue color. A blue star sapphire ring’s worth depends on the 4Cs — color, clarity, cut and carat. Prices for a blue star sapphire ring can also differ according to size and time period. These accessories begin at $449 and can cost as much as around $200,000 or more. On 1stDibs, shop a range of vintage blue star sapphire rings.