Describe love with the help of a gemstone that has the charm of royalty, the pizzazz of a celebrity, and the hellaciousness of the crowned Queen, Elizabeth?
Which gemstone is it?
Diamond? Ruby?
Well, it is none other than a sapphire! Sapphire has acquired a fan base all over the world because of its marvelous shades of colors, and versatile nature, making it suitable for different accessories. Speaking of accessories, rings have a special place in our hearts for sure, not just as an engagement ring but also from a fashion perspective. Sapphire rings have made their way up in our vanity to be used on a daily basis because of their high durability and strength.
As history has it, sapphire has been used in different eras and hence has a huge significance in different cultures. Past, or present we have curated a list of significant sapphire rings that are more famous than Justin Beiber.
Let’s get started…
Josephine & Napoleon Bonaparte
The love affair between a widow and the shy, young general the emperor turned into a marriage when Napoleon proposed to Josephine with the exquisite Toi-Et-Moi ring as we call it today. The emperor spent a fortune on the sapphire ring but the union of the two did not last for a very long time. The ring is etched in gold setting with a tear-drop-shaped sapphire and a diamond.
This ring is indeed a work of art. Today Toi-et Moi rings have become a rage among the new brides-to-be. Josephine and Napoleon kind of love? I think no, but, the ring? A definite YES!
Why, though?
Because the emperor, after the marriage left to conquer Milan, Josephine wanted to stay in Paris with her kids, from the earlier marriage. She had an affair with Lt. Hippolyte Charles, which shocked and enraged her husband and led to the downfall of their marriage. In 2013, the ring was auctioned in France for approximately $1.17 million.
Princess Diana’s/ Kate Middleton’s Engagement Ring
The Marguerite ring, often known as Princess Diana’s engagement ring, is one of the world’s most beautiful rings. It has a 12-carat blue Ceylon sapphire as its center stone. The blue sapphire is encircled by fourteen diamonds and is set in 18 ct white gold. Do you realize how valuable the royal ring is? At the time, the ring was estimated to be worth $60,000 (approximately). It is currently believed to be worth more than $400,000.
This ring came with a big controversy in the royal family! The royals are expected to have jewels uniquely designed for them that the common people cannot have access to. The ‘people’s queen’ did what she had to, she chose a ring from the jeweler’s catalog which gave access to the common people to make the same ring for themselves. It is because of this reason that Princess Diana’s sapphire ring has become significant in the history of the royals.
Pope Innocent III’s Gifts to the Kings of England – Beginning of the 13th Century
Pope Innocent III was the pope in the years 1198 to 1216 and is primarily famous for reasserting and extending the prestige and power of the papacy. Richard the Lionhearted, King of England, received four rings containing precious gemstones from him. The long war of power came to a halt when Pope Innocent tried to make a truce between the two. He presented these precious rings to come to a final decision.
The four rings were emerald, ruby, opal, and sapphire rings. The letter that accompanied the gift survived, despite the fact that the rings couldn’t. The Pope told the King to let the stones’ intrinsic “virtues” guide him in his everyday life, as they represented faith, charity, good work, and hope respectively.
The Sapphire ring is an emblem of past, present, and future. Coming from such a rich culture and heritage, the sapphire gemstone is truly nature’s work of art. Today’s generation believes in experimenting with a pop of color in their engagement rings and the sapphire ring surely tops the list. Would you not want to have a little piece of history decorated on your long fingers after reading this?
Also Read >> 8 Most Famous Sapphires of the World
