When choosing a sapphire for an engagement ring, colour is one of the most important factors to consider. Sapphires come in a wide range of hues, each with its own beauty, meaning, and characteristics. From teal to peach, understanding these differences can help you choose the stone that feels most like you.
Below is a guide to the most popular sapphire colours and what sets each one apart.
What Gives Sapphires Their Colour?
Sapphires are part of the corundum mineral family. Trace elements such as iron, titanium, chromium, or vanadium determine the colour.
- Iron and titanium create classic blues and teal tones
- Chromium creates pinks
- A combination of trace elements can produce peach or purple tones
All sapphires, no matter the colour, share the same hardness rating of 9 on the Mohs scale, making them durable for everyday wear.
The most popular sapphire colours are teal, green, pink, peach, and blue.
Teal Sapphires
Teal sapphires feature a mix of blue and green tones. The exact ratio varies from stone to stone, which means no two teals are ever identical.
Why people love them:
- Each teal sapphire is completely unique
- They shift in colour depending on lighting
- They offer a modern alternative to traditional blue
Symbolism: calm, balance, depth, intuition
For a real-work example of teal's shifting blue-green tones, you can explore our Montana Sky ring.
Peach Sapphires
Peach sapphires range from soft apricot to a deeper champagne tone. They’re often chosen for their warm, romantic feel.
Why people love them:
- They’re light in colour for those who want just a faint trace of colour
- They have a soft, glowing appearance
- Their warm tone complements many skin tones
Symbolism: romance, warmth, creativity
To see how peach sapphires glow in warm-toned designs, you can view our Dusk Till Dawn ring.
Pink Sapphires
Pink sapphires come in shades ranging from soft blush to deep magenta. Their feminine, romantic look makes them a popular choice for engagement rings.
Why people love them:
- They offer a vibrant pop of colour
- Their hues vary widely, allowing for more personalization
- They look beautiful in warm-toned metals
Symbolism: love, compassion, joy
Pink sapphires are often left unheated, which makes them more rare and desirable. For an example of a natural, unheated pink sapphire, you can view our Sweet Romance (Pink) ring.
Bi-Coloured Sapphires
Sapphires don’t always appear in a single, even shade. Some stones display two distinct colours within the same gem, often a blend of blue and green, or yellow and peach. These are known as bi-coloured sapphires, and each one is completely one-of-a-kind.
Bi-coloured sapphires show their colours differently depending on lighting and angle, which creates a shifting, almost watercolour effect. They’re rare, naturally formed, and full of character. Cathy believes bi-coloured sapphires are becoming one of the next big choices for couples who want something unique, meaningful, and different from traditional centre stones.
How to Choose Your Sapphire Colour
Consider the following when deciding:
- Personal style
- Metal colour
- Rarity
- Meaning
If you’re unsure, go with the colour that speaks to you the most.
Sapphire Care & Durability
All sapphires, regardless of colour, share:
- Hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale
- Strength suitable for everyday wear
- Excellent resistance to scratches and daily knocks
This makes them a practical and meaningful choice for engagement rings.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a sapphire colour is a personal decision, and each stone carries its own personality and story.
If you want help selecting the right colour for your engagement ring, Ma Folie’s founder, Cathy, is a GIA-trained jewelry professional who can guide you through the process.
Book a consultation to explore sapphire options that reflect your style and meaning.
