Sapphire vs. Diamonds: What's the Difference?

How much do you know about precious stones? If you've already started getting into jewelry, you might be forming opinions on your favorite types of chains, bracelets, rings, and pendants. Learning more about precious gemstones and their unique qualities can help us appreciate the art of jewelry even more thoroughly. 

Let's answer what makes diamonds and sapphires different from each other. Then, let's examine how you can pair diamond jewelry with classic pendants, chains, and rings that enhance your style as you try new things.

What Makes a Quality Sapphire? 

Before diving into diamonds, let's chat about sapphires. Perhaps you've been looking at sapphire jewelry recently, and you want to begin incorporating these stones into your weekend outfits. How can you know what makes a sapphire high-quality? Just like diamonds, sapphires have four Cs that can help you determine their worth. 

The Four C's of Sapphires 

Understanding sapphires doesn't have to be complicated.

Here's how to find out if sapphire jewelry is the real deal: 

• Cut: Most jewelry cutters take color into consideration when cutting sapphires. A good cut will reflect this.
• Clarity: Sapphires contain inclusions that are unique to them. Though inclusions usually bring a stone's value down, some inclusions in sapphire stone can enhance its value. 
• Carat Weight: A high-quality sapphire in a larger size is less common, but they are valuable. In general, most sapphires on the market stay under a 5.00-carat weight.
• Color: Color is the most critical factor in determining a sapphire's worth. The most sought-after sapphires are the most vivid stones. Simply put, the brighter and more vibrant a sapphire is, the more valuable it is. 

What Makes a Diamond Top-Tier? 

Perhaps you're trying to decide whether you want to invest in sapphire or diamond jewelry. To know which might be better for you, let's check out the ways you can measure a diamond's worth. 

The Four C's of Diamond Jewelry 

Let's brush up on the four C's of diamond quality.

These factors can help you figure out if your stone is high in value:

• Cut: A diamond's cut is a big factor in how valuable a gemologist deems it to be. A poorly-cut diamond can reduce the spectacular nature of the stone's clarity and color. At the same time, an excellent cut can make a world of difference in enhancing the stone's other features. 
• Clarity: The presence of inclusions brings a diamond's quality down. On the whole, a diamond with fewer inclusions gains a higher score on the clarity scale of "Flawless to Included." 
• Carat Weight: When all other factors remain the same, a larger diamond carat weight can cause the stone to be more valuable.
• Color: While a more vibrant, saturated sapphire is more valuable, the opposite is true of diamonds. The more colorless a diamond is, the more in-demand it is. Ultimately, a top-tier diamond will be nearly colorless. 

Key Differences Between These Stones 

Now that you're familiar with some of the essential quality markers of these stones, it's time to talk about the differences between sapphires and diamonds. 

• Scintillation: Scintillation refers to the way a stone interacts with light. On the whole, diamonds contain more of a sparkle factor than sapphires do. A diamond with a higher-quality cut will have more compelling scintillation, making it increasingly more valuable. 
• Cloudiness: Generally, sapphires tend to be much more cloudy than diamonds. A milky-colored diamond wouldn't be worth much, whereas a slightly cloudy sapphire might still be valuable. 
• Hardness:  One more factor that separates diamonds and sapphires is their hardness levels. On the Mohs hardness scale, diamonds maintain a perfect score of ten, while sapphires drop to a score of nine, which is significantly lower than a diamond's hardness.

How To Experiment with New Jewelry Styles 

After you've determined the difference between these two precious stones, you might be interested in owning some for yourself. Perhaps someone in your family has passed down a sapphire pendant necklace or pair of diamond earrings that you've been itching to try. It might feel challenging to figure out how to wear new pieces for the first time, but we've got a few tips to make it feel natural. 

Here are the easiest ways you can incorporate precious stones into your wardrobe and look fresh doing it. 

Try New Pieces on a Night Out 

It's not every night that you get to go out on the town, flirt with strangers, and show off your personality. When these opportunities come up, you can decide to try out something new. It's a low-pressure way to feel out new pieces of jewelry and find out what makes you feel most confident. You can throw on that new sapphire pendant with your other necklaces, and no one you meet will know the difference.

Every once in a while, it's fun to reinvent yourself and imagine new character traits you could adopt or style elements you could try. You never know what new pieces you try might stick as brand new favorites. 

Incorporate One New Element at a Time 

When you're building your style, you don't have to figure it out all at once. While your favorite celebrity icons might have an entire jewelry ensemble that's stacked with high-quality pieces, you're free to take it slow. Try adding one new element at a time. It's the most natural way to transition into a style and make it unique to you at the same time. 

Start by adding in a set of diamond earrings before you decide to step out in full bling. It will make the process of trying new pieces enjoyable while maintaining an effortless appearance to the outside world.

Layer in Your Favorite Chains and Other Jewelry 

Do you want to know a straightforward way to make a new jewelry element your own? When you're adding in new pieces one by one, you can surround them with rings, necklaces, and the CRAFTD chains you already wear. Not only does this help your new sapphires or diamonds to look more natural when you're trying them for the first time, but it can also give new life to your trademark pieces. 

Tips for Styling Sapphire and Diamond Jewelry 

Maybe you understand the unique qualities of sapphires and diamonds, and you've even thought about starting to wear them. Let's say you want to incorporate these jewels with other more straightforward jewelry elements, but you don't know where to start. 

We've got you covered. Here are a few ways to tie your gems together with CRAFTD jewelry. 

Add a Unique Pendant Into the Mix 

One way to make diamonds and sapphires look even more incredible is by blending them with pendants and chains. By adding a sapphire pendant to other high-quality chain necklaces, you can create a jewelry ensemble that's fit for the red carpet. 

Here's a pendant we suggest if you need inspiration. Our CRAFTD Wing Pendant is one of our best-selling pieces. Try layering in a Connell chain and Cuban chain, and you'll have a layered look that's head-turning in the best way. 

Use Understated Bracelets To Tie Everything Together 

A chain bracelet is a timeless piece you can add to blend your entire fit. This subtle silhouette holds the power to add the perfect amount of class to your other jewelry. Consider adding a low-key bracelet to create an ideal partnership with your sapphire and diamond jewelry.

If your bracelet collection is lacking, don't worry. We've got a suggestion that might fit your vibe. Our CRAFTD Rope Bracelet is one jewelry element that many people enjoy wearing. We think it's a terrific combination of subtlety and appealing texture. 

Don't Be Afraid of Statement Rings

How comfortable are you with wearing rings? If you've never worn them before, now may be as good of a time as any to start. One of our most well-known rings is our CRAFTD Vitruvian Man Ring. In premium stainless steel or 18-karat plated gold, this element can remarkably complement your sapphire or diamond jewelry. Try it on and see how it feels to look fresh as hell.

Key Point: Choose Jewelry That Fits Who You Are

We know you're multi-dimensional; there's no need to restrain yourself in a box. You might think wearing diamonds or sapphire jewelry is something only for movie stars or celebrities. In the end, you're the captain of your ship, and you get to decide what trends and precious stones look best on you. 

Whether you opt for a dazzling sapphire pendant or a bright diamond bracelet, you deserve to feel yourself. CRAFTD chains and jewelry make a perfect pair for your sparkling stones to support all your stylistic endeavors. 

Sources:

Sapphire Quality Factors | Different Types & Colors of Sapphire  | GIA

Diamond Quality Factors | GIA

Sapphire Care and Cleaning Guide | GIA