15.36 CT Oval Sapphire Cabochon Couture Ring in 14kt White Gold

This sapphire cabochon ring is a one-of-a-kind piece in 14kt white gold, built around a 15.36 carat oval cabochon sapphire in a deep, dark blue. Six curved white gold arms rise from a split shank to hold the stone, and each arm ends in a small bezel-set diamond, so the sapphire is framed by six points of light. What follows describes the exact ring you will see in our Boca Raton showroom.

The 15.36 carat cabochon sapphire

The center stone is an oval sapphire of 15.36 carats, cut as a cabochon: a smooth, polished dome rather than a faceted stone. At that weight it is a genuinely large sapphire, and it gives the ring a presence few colored stone rings can match.

The color is a deep, dark blue. Large cabochon sapphires are usually cut from material that is richer in color and less transparent than faceted stones, and the dome shows that depth as a soft, velvety glow rather than sparkle. Under a direct light the surface picks up a gentle sheen that moves across the stone as you turn your hand.

The Gemological Institute of America notes that sapphire is corundum, which sits at 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, second only to diamond. That matters on a ring, which takes more knocks than any other piece of jewelry, and a smooth cabochon dome is especially resistant to chipping because it has no sharp facet edges.

Cabochon is also one of the oldest ways of cutting gemstones. The International Gem Society explains that cabochons are chosen to show color and depth rather than brilliance, which is exactly what a large, saturated sapphire does best.

A blue sapphire statement ring with six diamond arms

What makes this a blue sapphire statement ring rather than a classic solitaire is the setting. Instead of ordinary prongs, six slender curved arms of white gold rise from the shank and reach up around the stone, three on each side.

At the tip of each arm sits a round diamond in its own small bezel. Six diamonds, about 0.30 carats in total and recorded as I color, frame the dark blue dome with bright white points, like a constellation around a night sky.

The design is modern and architectural. The arms hold the sapphire securely while leaving almost the entire stone visible, and the contrast between the smooth blue dome and the crisp white diamonds is what gives the ring its drama.

A large sapphire ring on a split shank

A large sapphire ring needs a strong foundation, and this one has it. The shank divides into several wires as it approaches the head, and those wires curve up into the six arms that hold the stone. The result is a setting that looks light and open from the side while spreading the weight of the sapphire evenly.

The ring is made in 14kt white gold and is stamped 14K inside the band. White gold keeps the blue cool and crisp and makes the diamonds look whiter. 14kt is harder than 18kt, which suits a ring with this much structure. Like most white gold it is finished with rhodium plating, which we can refresh at the bench whenever it wears.

The ring is listed at about 13 grams, a substantial weight of gold, and it has the solid, balanced feel you would expect from a ring built around a stone of this size.

Why a white gold sapphire ring

A white gold sapphire ring is the most classic way to wear blue. The cool metal matches the tone of the stone, so the eye goes straight to the sapphire instead of to the setting, and the diamonds read as pure white.

White gold also pairs easily with the rest of a jewelry wardrobe: platinum, silver-toned watches and white diamond pieces all sit comfortably beside it. If you usually wear yellow gold, a white gold sapphire ring still works as a deliberate contrast piece.

Sizing this sapphire cabochon ring

This sapphire cabochon ring is listed at size 9.5. It can be sized by our bench jeweler to fit you, and we will look at the shank with you first to confirm the best approach, because a split shank needs to be sized with care so the arms stay aligned.

A large ring needs a snug fit so it sits upright on the finger instead of rolling. We will make sure it does before it leaves the showroom.

How this blue sapphire statement ring wears

A blue sapphire statement ring is meant to be noticed, but the dark, velvety blue makes it surprisingly easy to wear. It works with navy, gray, black and white, and it looks just as right with a suit as with an evening dress.

Because the stone is large and domed, it is most comfortable on the middle or ring finger. The smooth cabochon has no sharp edges to catch on clothing, which makes it more practical day to day than a large faceted stone.

We will fit it on you so you can see how it looks on your hand. A 15 carat stone reads differently in person than in a photograph, and most people are surprised by how well it wears.

A September birthstone ring

Sapphire is the birthstone for September, and GIA's guide to the September birthstone covers its long association with wisdom, loyalty and royalty. At more than 15 carats, this is a September birthstone ring with real presence.

Sapphire is also a traditional gift for the forty-fifth wedding anniversary. A large sapphire ring is a meaningful way to mark that milestone.

Cabochon versus faceted sapphire

Faceted sapphires are cut to sparkle, with dozens of flat facets that bounce light back to the eye. Cabochon sapphires are cut to glow, with a single smooth dome that shows the color from within. Neither is better; they do different things.

Faceting needs transparent rough, and transparent sapphire of 15 carats is extremely rare and expensive. Cabochon cutting makes beautiful use of richer, less transparent material, which is why a sapphire cabochon ring can carry a stone this large at a sensible price.

The two cuts also wear differently. Facet edges can chip if knocked hard against a surface; a dome has no edges to chip. For a large sapphire ring worn every day, that durability is a real advantage.

Where sapphires come from

Sapphires are mined in many parts of the world. Sri Lanka has produced them for more than two thousand years, and Myanmar, Thailand, Madagascar, Australia and East Africa are all important sources. Each tends to produce stones with a slightly different character, from bright cornflower blue to the deep, inky blues often seen in larger cabochons.

Ruby and sapphire are the same mineral, corundum. Traces of iron and titanium make corundum blue; chromium makes it red. Every sapphire, whatever its origin, shares the same hardness and durability.

Sapphire through history

Sapphire has been worn for thousands of years as a stone of wisdom and protection. Medieval clergy wore blue sapphires as a symbol of heaven, and European royalty set them into crowns and rings for centuries.

In more recent times, large blue sapphires have become some of the most famous gems in the world, set into engagement rings, brooches and state jewels. Their deep, steady blue has never gone out of fashion.

That history is part of what makes a large sapphire ring such a meaningful piece to own and to pass on. It carries associations of loyalty and faithfulness that suit an anniversary or a milestone birthday, and a stone of this size is the kind that becomes a family heirloom, remembered long after the occasion it marked.

How to judge a large sapphire ring in person

Start with color. In a cabochon sapphire, look for a deep, even blue across the dome without gray or greenish patches. Hold the ring near a window: good color stays blue in daylight rather than turning black.

Next, look at the surface. The dome should be smooth and evenly polished, with a clean reflection that moves across it without ripples or flat spots.

Then look at the setting. Each of the six arms should touch the stone evenly, and each diamond should sit level in its bezel. On a ring with a stone this size, secure arms matter more than anything.

Finally, look at the shank. It should be round, even and free of thin spots where the split wires meet the arms. That is where a well-made sapphire cabochon ring shows its quality.

Sapphire compared with other blue gemstones

Sapphire is not the only blue gem. Tanzanite is violet-blue and softer, at around 6.5. Blue topaz is bright but lighter in tone. Lapis lazuli offers a deep blue in cabochon form but is much softer, at around 5 to 5.5, and less suited to a ring worn every day.

For a large blue cabochon that will be worn often, sapphire's hardness and lasting color make it the natural choice. The International Gem Society gives a good overview of how sapphire compares with other blue stones.

What sets this sapphire cabochon ring apart

Most large sapphire rings use a conventional basket of prongs. This one uses six sculpted arms, each finished with a diamond, which turns the setting into part of the design rather than something that simply holds the stone.

It also offers a great deal of sapphire for the money. A faceted sapphire of 15 carats with fine transparency would cost many times more; a cabochon lets you wear a stone of this size and depth of color at a far more accessible price.

And because it is a single piece, you will not see it on anyone else. This is the only one in our case.

Wearing a statement ring with other jewelry

A blue sapphire statement ring is designed to be the focus, so the simplest rule is to let it lead. Keep other rings on the same hand simple, or leave that hand bare, and let the sapphire carry the look.

White gold and diamonds are its natural partners. Diamond studs, a white gold bracelet or a fine chain all complement it without competing. Pearls also look beautiful beside deep blue, a classic combination that never dates.

Choosing a white gold sapphire ring as a gift

A white gold sapphire ring of this size is a bold gift, and the most important question is fit. We can size it after purchase, so if you are buying it as a surprise, bring a ring the person already wears on the same finger and we will measure it.

The other question is style. If the person likes strong, modern designs and deep color, this ring will suit them well. If they prefer delicate pieces, something smaller from the case may be the better choice, and we will tell you honestly.

Caring for a large sapphire ring

Clean the ring with warm water, a drop of mild soap and a soft brush, working gently around the arms and bezels where lotion collects. Rinse and dry with a lint-free cloth. Our jewelry care guide goes through the process step by step.

Take it off for gardening, gym work and heavy housework. A large ring can catch on things, and a hard knock can bend an arm.

Bring it in once a year and we will clean it professionally and check every arm and bezel at no charge.

Appraisal, documentation and what you receive

Every sapphire ring at this level leaves with a written appraisal describing the metal, the stones, the measurements and a stated replacement value for insurance. That document is what your insurer will ask for, and it is worth updating every few years as gold and gem prices move. Our jewelry appraisals page explains how we do it.

You can see our full range of rings alongside this one, and our diamond and gemstone education pages set out how grading actually works. If you would like a piece altered, or something built around a stone you already own, we do that too through our design service.

See this sapphire cabochon ring in Boca Raton

Photographs of dark blue stones are unreliable. Screens push deep blue toward black, and the soft glow of a cabochon changes with every light source. A ring like this is worth trying on in person, which is why we would rather you came in than bought it sight unseen.

David Stern Jewelers has been in business for over 40 years, family owned since 1970, and the showroom is at 21073 Powerline Rd #37, Boca Raton. We are open Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 5:30pm and Saturday from 10:30am to 4:30pm. Call 561-994-3330 and we will have the ring waiting, or book an appointment for a quieter time.

Common questions about this sapphire cabochon ring

One last practical note. Because this is a single piece rather than stock, it can sell on any given day, and we do not hold items without a deposit. If you have seen this sapphire cabochon ring here and intend to come in, a phone call first will confirm it is still in the case and save you the trip if it is not.