Star Sapphire “Right Hand Ring”

A design appointment was booked and during the consultation it transpired that my Sapphire Lady was after something a little more unusual than the stereotypical dark royal blue Sapphire…

The original brief was for a Sapphire “Right Hand Ring”. (For those who are unsure the Right Hand Ring it can be a anything from a classic understated simple design to a statement cocktail piece, the right hand ring is a stand alone ring symbolising a ladies confidence and unique sense of style).

A chunky statement ring was the aim of the design with a twist style overlap in a white metal.

We discussed coloured Sapphires which I explained can be any colour except for red….

Coloured Sapphires

Sapphire Lady loved the idea of something not too bright in colour and loved the oval cuts. I then remembered learning about ‘Star Sapphires’…

Star sapphires are a part of the corundum family. Red corundum is known as Ruby. All other colour varieties of corundum are referred to as sapphire. Corundum is the second hardest substance on the Mohs scale, with a rating of nine. Diamond tops that scale with a ten. The hardness of Sapphire combined with the colour and sparkle makes fine sapphires extremely valuable.

Unlike the usual form of Sapphires, Star Sapphires contain unusual tiny needle-like inclusions. These rutile needles result in a silky sheen on the surface of the gem. Aligned needles that intersect each other at varying angles produce a phenomenon called Aster-ism (from the Latin Aster for star). Because of their crystal structure, only the Star Sapphire and the Star Ruby show six white rays of light that meet in one point and dance over the gem’s surface when viewed from different directions.

Star sapphires range in colour from blue in various tones, pink, orange, yellow, green, lavender and grey to black. The idea of a grey or black seemed a possibility.

The initial sketch idea

A few rough sketches were drawn up and for the next appointment. I spoke to my good friend who imports the finest gemstones from all over the world. I managed to show Sapphire Lady numerous colours and sizes ranging from a delicate almost milky moonstone grey, through delicate violet greys to black.

One in particular seemed to speak out from the rest, it was a gorgeous moody grey colour, reminiscent of a terrific thunder cloud. It had hints of lilacs, silvers and blues and showed the sparkle of the star of beautifully. Combined with the cool look of the finished white gold (I could visualise it in my head) it would be a super creation.

As I took that particular Star Sapphire out, a “wow” came from over the desk. It had clearly spoken to Sapphire Lady also.

That was the one….

Through view

Side view

Front view