Are you looking for the best alternatives to a diamond engagement ring? White sapphires have become one of the popular options.
Let us know how they differ from diamonds and how to choose the right center stone for your engagement ring.
What is Diamond?
Diamond is a rare, naturally occurring mineral made of carbon which is a common element found everywhere on Earth.
It has the highest rating of 10 on the Mohs scale making it the hardest material known to mankind.
It's shimmery and gorgeous, its quality is determined using GIA’s system of 4Cs; cut, clarity, carat and color.
Diamonds tend to have better sparkle and performance compared to other forms of minerals but unavoidably are highly expensive.
Next Up, What is White Sapphire?
White sapphires are colorless and belong to the family of corundums which is characteristically composed of aluminum oxide.
It has a cloudy looking appearance due to their chemistry and formation process.
It has a score of 9 on the Mohs scale making it relatively hard as compared to other minerals.
It has a lower refractive index which holds up the optical performance; resulting in less fire and dispersion.
Due to their colorlessness, designers actively market them as being identical to diamonds with the added advantage of having lower prices.
White sapphires have now become popular alternatives to diamonds for engagement ring stones.
White Sapphire Vs Diamond
There are a few differences that catch the eye when comparing diamond and white sapphire.
However, the comparison of white sapphire vs diamond isn’t a simple one, as both have their own pros and cons.
Color
Color is one of the most important factors. The purer its colorlessness, the better the white sapphire is. White sapphires simply offer much less sparkle than diamonds as brilliance and fire matter less for sapphires than diamonds.
Look at it with the naked eye and see if the stone appeals to you while judging the color of the sapphire. Keep in mind if the color of the stone is consistent, the stone is more valuable as a white sapphire whereas uneven coloring is simply less appealing.
Hardness
Diamond scores a 10/10 on the Mohs hardness scale while sapphire comes quite close with a score of 9/10 on the Mohs’s scale. Which means they are almost 100% resistant against scratching and do not need a repolish. But they cannot top diamond on the level of hardness.
Brilliance
White sapphire differs the most from a diamond is the brilliance. White sapphires don't possess the sheer brilliance of the coveted gem when compared to diamonds and can look dull when side by side with a diamond. So if you are seeking a stone with high sparkle, diamond is the most obvious choice.
Price
White sapphire is the clear winner in terms of price. They are much less expensive than diamonds at any given carat size. So according to your engagement ring budget, you can get a much bigger white sapphire than a diamond ring.
At Planderful, we have a wide range of dazzling diamond rings and brilliant gemstone engagement rings. We are happy to help you decide on your perfect engagement ring.
