Fashion Blogs

Sapphires, undoubtedly, are among the most coveted gemstones. They have charmed people with their magnificence throughout history and even today are people's favorite. But did you know that some blue sapphire gemstone have managed to shine even brighter than the rest? If you are curious to learn about them, you have come to the right place! Let's explore some of the famous sapphire jewelry pieces that made history.

Napoleon Bonaparte gave his beloved Joséphine a stunning Toi-et-Moi engagement ring. The term Toi-et-Moi is French for "You and Me," which gives a romantic meaning to this gorgeous ring. It features a diamond and a sapphire gemstone, each weighing just under one carat. Although this engagement ring carries such romantic sentiment, you would be surprised to know that it did not mark the start of a happy marriage, as the once happy couple parted their ways after some time. Nonetheless, this diamond and sapphire ring has gained recognition for its mesmerizing beauty and design.

Princess Diana's Engagement Ring

Princess Diana's engagement ring has become one of the most iconic and famous engagement rings in royal history. It features a 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire set in 18-karat white gold and is enveloped by a dazzling halo of 14 solitaire diamonds. Although Princess Diana blue sapphire ring has become a popular and coveted sapphire jewelry piece today, it initially faced controversy in the royal family. That's because royals have their wedding rings custom-made to give them a special and unique touch. However, Princess Diana chose her engagement ring from Garrard's catalog, meaning there was nothing "extra special" about the ring and it was even accessible to the general public. Nonetheless, it has now become an iconic ring.

Following Princess Diana's death, her jewelry collection was inherited by her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. In 2010, Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton with his late mother's iconic sapphire ring.

Blue Giant of the Orient

Discovered in Sri Lanka in 1907 and bought by an anonymous American collector that same year, the Blue Giant of the Orient is the largest faceted blue sapphire in the world at 486 carats. However, its size is not the only thing that makes this sapphire so popular. It is a gemstone shrouded in mystery. After being bought by the American collector, the gem is said to have vanished in thin air for almost a century! Much to people's surprise, this sapphire stone appeared out of nowhere at a 2004 Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction! But that is not the end. The gemstone was quickly claimed at the auction and is hidden away once again.

Stuart Sapphire

The Stuart Sapphire is a 104-carat blue sapphire that is a part of the British Crown Jewels. While the history behind its discovery and acquisition is uncertain, it is believed to be unearthed in Asia.

Hill Sapphire Pendant

The Hill Sapphire pendant is an exquisite piece of sapphire jewelry. It features a magnificent 22.66-carat cushion-shaped Kashmir sapphire, enveloped by dazzling brilliant-cut diamonds. This sapphire is said to be named after James J. Hill, a well-known railroad magnate, who acquired this gem from Randel, Baremore & Billings. 

Rockefeller Sapphire

The Rockefeller Sapphire is a gorgeous deep cornflower-blue sapphire stone that weighs more than 62 carats. It initially belonged to the Indian Maharaja Mir Osman Ali, the last Nizam of Hyderabad, and was later purchased by the heir to the Rockefeller empire, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Both of Rockefeller’s wives wore this beautiful sapphire until their last breath. In 1971, it was auctioned in Zurich and sold for $170,000. Over the years, it was resold a few more times before making its final appearance at Christie’s New York in April 2001, where it sold for $3 million.

Final Thoughts

Aren't these sapphire jewelry pieces so beautiful? While you can't get your hands on these exact pieces, you can surely get a piece of equally beautiful sapphire jewelry! At GemsNY, you can find a wide variety of sapphires, from gorgeous blue to green, pink as well as yellow sapphire stone!