It is important to note, however, that white sapphires are not quite as sparkly as diamonds. This clear stone has a diamond-esque vibe without the higher cost, making it a popular option for budget-conscious couples.

If you love the look of a colorless stone but don’t want to spend diamond-worthy prices, white sapphires may be for you. 'Sapphires have ancient associations in many different cultures with loyalty, integrity, and romantic devotion, so a white sapphire is an appropriate choice for someone wanting a stone that symbolizes the power of their commitment,' says Sharon Schatner of Filigree Jewelers.

But did you know that blue sapphires have an equally gorgeous, yet much more affordable sibling stone, the white sapphire? It combines the look of a diamond with the glamour, mystique, and rich history and meaning of a sapphire. Her daughter-in-law Kate Middleton re-ignited the trend when she received the same ring from Prince William in 2010. Blue sapphires have been a popular choice for engagement rings for decades, in part thanks to Princess Diana, who wore a 12-carat halo sapphire when she got engaged to Prince Charles. These lab-created stones often have a blue-to-purple color range making them an excellent option for to-be-weds looking for a colorful engagement ring.If you’re exploring alternatives to a diamond for your engagement ring, you’ve probably thought about sapphires. Because of that, jewelers mostly use lab-grown gemstones that have the same properties as natural alexandrite. The price of a single-carat genuine alexandrite can reach up to $15,000. Today, alexandrite is found in minimal supplies in Tanzania, Brazil, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, making it the rarest gemstone in the world. Alexandrite became a symbol of Russian royalty because of its rarity (the Ural deposits have since been depleted) and also because two of the stone's distinct colors happened to be the colors of Russia's military uniforms at the time-red and green.

First discovered in the Ural mountain range of Russia, the gemstone was named after Czar Alexander II, the heir to the throne at the time. What Is Alexandrite?Īlexandrite is a variety of the mineral chrysoberyl. Below, check out our guide to choosing an alexandrite engagement ring-plus editor-approved bling you can add to your cart right now.

Zales white sapphire ring