When you are looking for an engagement ring, what kind of stone would you be inclined to choose? There are many different types of gems to choose from, but one of the most popular is the diamond.
So what does it mean if you received a sapphire engagement ring? Is your loved one trying to tell you something?
In this article, we will explore what a sapphire engagement ring symbolizes and why so many people choose it for their special moment.
Table of Contents
The History of the Sapphire Engagement Ring
There is a longstanding tradition of engagement rings being used to propose marriage.
Ancient Greeks are thought to have created the tradition with their version of a betrothal ring which was given before marriage to seal the deal.
This is not to be confused with a friendship ring, which was also given to sort of frighten other suitors away from a woman while the gentleman was still in the decision stage.
The Romans were supposedly the first to use engagement rings to show honorable intent of the groom. Following that, during the medieval era, in 1215, Pope Innocent III mandated a waiting period before a marriage was to be held and dubbed it a period of “engagement”.
During this time it was believed (here is that good old “it was believed” mysterious person) that the sapphire would change color or fade if the wearer were being impure or untruthful.
Thus, it became a thing that a sapphire was to signify fidelity for any engaged persons who found themselves having to be separated.
As engagement rings became more and more popular among royalty and wealthy families, sapphires, rubies, emeralds and diamonds were all used in these rings.
Sapphires stood the test of time and it is still considered a symbol of romantic love, truth, and commitment as well as fidelity.
Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco Era engagement rings usually included other colored stones besides diamonds which had flooded the market by then.
Blue sapphires were the most plentiful and therefore, those found their way into engagement rings at least as an embellishment.
Today, couples yearn for something different to represent their marriage.
They often do not look up the historical details of a gemstone other than to find out what the durability is compared to diamonds.
Many have turned to blue sapphires as the center stone for their ring simply because they remember that Princess Dianna wore one and took a step out of the traditional to be more unique (but look where that got her).
Young people are always looking for a distinctive way to celebrate their love, and blue sapphires seem to fit that bill.
The Spiritual Meaning of Sapphire
Sapphires are beautiful colored gemstones that come in a variety of hues ranging from clear white to deep blue. There are also pink, green, light blue, orange, yellow and even purple sapphires.
All of these colors are found in nature although they are most often heated to deepen the colors for marketing.
There are those who assign a spiritual meaning to gemstones because they believe that there is energy that they can harness from them if they wear them.
There is no scientific data to support this, as there is also no scientific data to support any of the other types of claims or stigmas.
Sapphire has historically been associated with royalty, but we are talking about the blue color tones rather than the pink or others.
The associations that are commonly placed on this particular stone is that they:
- guard against negative energies
- calm the mind
- strengthen intuition
- and invite spiritual clarity
One could argue with this assessment if you look in historical records of famous people such as Princess Dianna of Whales to refute that claim, because things didn’t go well for her despite the fact that she wore sapphire as her wedding ring to Prince Charles.
You can also look at famous pieces of sapphire jewelry and trace what happened to those who owned them and come out of that research with a different opinion.
If you read the ancient scriptures, you will find sapphire mentioned several times as being a precious gemstone that is found both here on earth and is utilized even in heaven.
There are no spiritual overtones in the Bible regarding any precious metals or gemstones, even though they are mentioned and are included in the celestial world.
The main focus is not the stones, but those who are wearing them.
Is Sapphire Good For Engagement Rings?
Sapphires make fantastic engagement and wedding rings, even though diamonds are the most advertised of all gemstones by corporate media.
It is believed that just about any precious gemstone can be vaunted to new heights of sales and appreciation, if only the marketplace were not being cornered and bought up by diamonds.
A natural sapphire that has not had any heat treatment or has not been further treated by fracture filling is a rare find, because 95% of those on the market today have been enhanced to make them look better than when they were first mined and cut.
Because sapphires come in a variety of colors, someone who prefers to break away from the common diamond engagement ring can choose something more to their own personal taste.
You may not know this, but a red sapphire is called a ruby!
So you can now see that if you spent the same money on a quality sapphire as you did a diamond ring, then you’d have something lovely that you can pass down from generation to generation and that would actually be worn.
Finally, sapphires have, for centuries, been seen as a symbol of the heavens, a guardian of innocence, a bestower of truth, a promoter of good health and a preserver of chastity according to the websites that are trying to market them.
When they say “it is believed”, remember that there is not a name associated with the people who are the “is believed” part.
Who exactly believes it?
This is the real mystery and nothing else.
What Sapphires Symbolize in Love
When it comes to what sapphires symbolize in love, it is said that they are the stones of fidelity and constancy.
They are also seen as a symbol of self-love and mental health.
Sapphires have been known to help those who wear them to find clarity in their thoughts and emotions, making them a perfect stone for those who are going through a tough time in their lives.
Let’s take a look at some popular beliefs about what sapphires symbolize in love:
Faithfulness
Sapphires are said (by someone) to foster new love and faithfulness along with a renewal of that connection if there had already been one.
They are said to symbolize spiritual growth and emotional healing, especially in terms of love and mental health.
If your relationship is taking a downward spiral, then it is said that sapphires can help to renew it if you can catch it in time…right?
The reason for this is because if you buy your spouse a sapphire, then it will act like some sort of a truth serum and they will be compelled to tell the truth which is always good for getting down to the issues plaguing a relationship.
Self Love
Yes, it is said (by someone) that you can only love another person to the same degree that you love yourself.
There is more truth to this fact than we realize.
If you go out and buy yourself a sapphire as a symbol of your love to yourself, then you are likely going to treat your special person in the same manner of selfless self-giving. Go ahead and give it a go by checking out some of the sapphire jewelry in our store!
Mental Health
Sapphires are said (by someone) to provide clarity and emotional stability in a way that Xanax never could.
Because they also symbolize freedom, a person wearing a sapphire is more inclined to behave in a way that gives flight to fears, intrusive thoughts, insecurity and depression.
These can block your happiness and will have a direct impact on your loved one.
Sapphires will stabilize your emotions and psyche in a way that will promote and restore love and faithfulness in a marriage.
Just ask Princess Dianna.
Final Thoughts
If you received a sapphire for your engagement ring, consider yourself blessed – especially if it has not been heat treated or otherwise enhanced by fracture filling.
A sapphire, regardless of the color, that has not been treated is more rare than diamonds and is even more valuable carat per carat. Just be sure that your beloved has gotten the documented paperwork so that you have proof of its value.