{"id":3840,"date":"2019-09-03T09:15:45","date_gmt":"2019-09-03T15:15:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shaneco.com\/theloupe\/?p=3840"},"modified":"2024-09-11T11:40:59","modified_gmt":"2024-09-11T17:40:59","slug":"sapphire-engagement-rings-are-trending","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shaneco.com\/theloupe\/bridal\/wedding\/sapphire-engagement-rings-are-trending\/","title":{"rendered":"Sapphire Engagement Rings Are Trending"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Variety<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Did you know that if you went online today to compare the prices of a 1.00-carat round diamond<\/a> to a sapphire<\/a> of the same size, you\u2019d end up spending nearly five times more for the diamond? Combined with the rising trend of colorful center stone engagement rings, it\u2019s no wonder that brides-to-be are letting go of the age-old tradition of a diamond engagement ring, opting instead for budget-friendly alternatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur customers\u2019 interest in colored stones is rapidly increasing,\u201d says a Shane Co. jewelry expert. \u201cTraditional blue, white and peach sapphires are three of our most requested-for engagement rings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A long journey to the perfect ring<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Oval<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

According to popular wedding site The Knot<\/a>, consumers are looking at 26 rings<\/a> over a\nperiod of 3.5 months throughout their engagement ring shopping journey. And\naccording to Shane Co. stores, at least part of the reason they\u2019re doing so is\nbecause they\u2019re on the search for the largest diamond they can afford within\ntheir budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe can thank celebrities and royals like Princess Eugenie, Lady Gaga and Gwyneth Paltrow for starting this trend and giving women the confidence to consider colored center stones for their engagement rings,\u201d says our expert. \u201cBut it\u2019s the price and rarity of these stones that truly closes the deal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Durable and beautiful<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Much like diamonds, sapphires make great options for engagement rings<\/a> because of their hardness and ability to withstand daily wear. They also come in every fancy shape from oval to emerald, making them easily accessorized with a unique setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternatively, semiprecious gemstones, like aquamarine or\nemerald, don\u2019t function as well in engagement rings because of their relative\nsoftness and low rating on the Mohs scale of hardness. This means they are more\nprone to damage and better suited to fashion jewelry like pendants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Customer testimony<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Woman<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Don\u2019t just take our word for it \u2014 our customers absolutely love<\/em> the unique look that goes along\nwith sapphire center stones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bonnie Olian, who was engaged in 2017 and married in 2018,\nrecently traded in her diamond for a 2.00-carat colored sapphire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI loved my engagement ring \u2014 but I really envied the look\nof a larger center stone,\u201d says Olian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince Shane Co. opened over 40 years ago, diamonds have been\nand always will be our No. 1 seller for engagement rings,\u201d Davis comments. \u201cBut\nwe love how much fun these new brides are having with playing with color and\nsapphires as a modern twist for their rings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Celebrity inspiration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are some of our favorite engagement rings celebrities\nare rocking today:<\/p>\n\n\n\n