8 CT Custom Oval Sapphire Faceted Ring in 14kt White Gold

This oval sapphire halo ring sets an 8.00 carat oval blue sapphire inside two rows of round diamonds, on a split shank of 14kt white gold. The diamonds add 4.20 carats, for 12.20 carats of gemstones in all. It is a true couture piece: large, bright and built to be noticed. Everything below describes this exact ring, which you can see and try on at our Boca Raton showroom.

The oval sapphire halo ring at a glance

Here are the specifications of this oval sapphire halo ring, as recorded for this piece.

At the center is an oval blue sapphire of 8.00 carats, faceted and held in prongs. Its clarity is recorded as Good in our listing.

Around it are two halos of round brilliant cut diamonds, recorded as 28 larger diamonds and 50 smaller ones. Together they weigh 4.20 carats and are graded I color and SI1 clarity.

The mounting is 14kt white gold with a split shank, and the ring weighs 11.7 grams according to our listing. It can be sized to fit.

In short, this oval sapphire halo ring is a large, deep blue center framed by a double border of white diamonds, in the classic sapphire and white gold combination.

Is the 12.20 carats one sapphire?

No, and it is worth being clear. The 12.20 carats is the total weight of every stone in the ring, not the weight of the sapphire.

The oval sapphire is 8.00 carats. The 78 round diamonds in the two halos add 4.20 carats. Together they make 12.20 carats of gemstones.

Even on its own, an 8 carat sapphire is a substantial center stone. With the halos, the face of the ring covers much of the finger.

An 8 carat sapphire ring

An 8 carat sapphire ring is a statement by any measure. Most sapphire rings sold as everyday jewelry center on stones of one to three carats; an 8 carat sapphire ring is several times that size and reads from across a room.

Sapphire is dense, so an 8.00 carat sapphire looks a little smaller than a diamond of the same weight would. It is still a generous stone, long and wide enough to fill the center of the ring and carry two rows of diamonds around it.

This sapphire is faceted with broad facets across the top. Rather than a sharp, glassy sparkle, they give the stone a soft, rich glow, with flashes of lighter and darker blue as the hand moves.

Its clarity is recorded as Good. In a colored stone, clarity is judged differently from a diamond: most sapphires contain natural inclusions, and in a large stone they can soften the look into a velvety blue. The written appraisal describes this stone in detail.

A double halo of diamonds

The sapphire is framed by two halos. The inner halo is a fine line of small round diamonds that sits right against the sapphire. The outer halo is a row of larger round diamonds, each in its own prongs, set a little lower and wider.

This double frame does two things. It makes the whole ring face up larger and brighter, and it separates the deep blue of the sapphire from the white gold, so the color reads clearly.

The diamonds are graded I color and SI1 clarity. I is a near-colorless grade, and set in white gold beside a blue stone the diamonds look white and lively. SI1 means small inclusions that are typically not visible to the eye.

Together, the 78 diamonds weigh 4.20 carats, a large amount of diamond for a halo, which is part of what makes this a couture ring rather than a simple sapphire solitaire.

A sapphire couture ring

In our collection, couture describes pieces made around a single important stone, with more metal, more diamonds and more design than a standard catalog ring. This sapphire couture ring is a good example.

The split shank divides into two bands as it rises to the head, which spreads the weight of the large top and gives it a stable base on the finger. The white gold gallery beneath the halo lifts the sapphire so light can reach it.

At 11.7 grams of 14kt white gold, a sapphire couture ring like this has real presence on the hand. It is made to be worn and enjoyed, not kept in a drawer.

An oval sapphire and diamond ring

The oval is one of the most flattering shapes for a large colored stone. It shows plenty of color from above, and its length draws the eye along the finger.

In this oval sapphire and diamond ring, the sapphire is set lengthwise, north to south. The two halos follow the oval outline, so the whole face of the ring is a long, elegant oval of blue and white.

Blue and white is one of the classic pairings in fine jewelry. The white diamonds make the sapphire look deeper, and the sapphire gives the diamonds a strong color to frame. An oval sapphire and diamond ring in white gold is about as traditional, and as timeless, as colored stone jewelry gets.

A short history of the sapphire halo ring

A large blue sapphire framed by diamonds has been a favorite design for well over a century. Victorian and Edwardian jewelers made cluster rings with a colored center and a ring of small diamonds, and the style never really went away.

The oval sapphire halo ring became world famous in 1981, when a large oval blue sapphire surrounded by diamonds was chosen as a royal engagement ring. Since then, the look has been one of the most requested sapphire designs in fine jewelry.

This oval sapphire halo ring follows that tradition with a larger center and two rows of diamonds instead of one, which gives it a bolder, more modern presence while keeping the familiar shape.

How the sapphire is set

The sapphire sits in prongs, which hold it securely at the edges while leaving most of the stone open to view. The inner halo of small diamonds is set right up against the sapphire, so the blue appears to be surrounded by a continuous line of light.

Beneath the halo, the white gold gallery lifts the head above the finger. From the side, you can see the open metalwork and the split shank rising to meet it.

In an oval sapphire halo ring of this size, the setting matters as much as the stones. A well-made head keeps the sapphire secure, keeps the halos level and lets light reach every diamond.

Sapphire color: what to look for

Color is the most important quality in a sapphire. The most prized blues are rich and saturated without being so dark that the stone looks black. Very pale stones can look washed out; very dark stones can lose their color in dim light.

The sapphire in this oval sapphire halo ring is a medium to deep blue. Its broad facets give it a soft glow, and the diamond halos help it stay bright even in indoor light.

Every sapphire looks slightly different under daylight, warm indoor light and store lighting. That is why we always recommend seeing a colored stone in person before you choose it.

About sapphire

Sapphire is corundum, the same mineral as ruby. It ranks 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, second only to diamond, which makes it one of the most durable gems for a ring worn often. The Gemological Institute of America describes blue sapphire as one of the most popular colored gems in the world.

Blue is the color most people picture, and it ranges from pale cornflower to deep navy. The sapphire in this ring is a rich, medium to deep blue.

Most sapphires on the market are heated to improve their color and clarity, a permanent and widely accepted practice. The written appraisal records what is known about this stone.

Sapphire is the birthstone for September and the traditional gift for a 45th wedding anniversary.

Why white gold suits a blue sapphire

White gold is the traditional metal for a blue sapphire, and for good reason. Its cool, bright color matches the white of the diamonds, so the halos and the mounting read as one continuous frame around the blue center.

Yellow gold can make a blue stone look warmer and slightly greener; white gold keeps the blue clean and crisp. It also flatters most skin tones and matches platinum, silver and other white metal jewelry you may already own.

14kt white gold is 58.3 percent pure gold, alloyed with other metals for strength. That strength matters in a ring with this many prongs, because each small prong has to hold its diamond firmly for years of wear.

The split shank is also 14kt white gold, and its two narrow bands give the ring a lighter look from the side than a single wide band would, even though the ring weighs 11.7 grams.

For all these reasons, white gold is the natural choice for an oval sapphire halo ring of this style.

A sapphire cocktail ring

A sapphire cocktail ring is made for evenings, celebrations and any occasion that calls for one confident piece of jewelry. With its large center stone and double halo, this ring fits that role perfectly.

Worn on the right hand, a sapphire cocktail ring like this becomes the focal point of an outfit. It pairs well with diamond studs or a simple white gold chain, and it looks especially good with navy, white, gray and black.

It can also be worn every day by anyone who likes bold jewelry. Sapphire is hard enough for regular wear, and the prongs and halos protect the edges of the stone.

Wearing an oval sapphire halo ring

An oval sapphire halo ring of this size is best worn on its own finger, with nothing crowding it. On the right hand it is a striking cocktail ring; on the left it can serve as a bold engagement or anniversary ring.

Because the face is large, keep other jewelry simple: diamond studs, a slim bracelet or a plain white gold chain. The oval sapphire halo ring will do the rest.

It suits both day and evening. With a white shirt or a simple dress, the blue and white of the ring stand out clearly, and under evening light the diamond halos come alive.

Choosing an oval sapphire halo ring

When you compare a ring like this, start with the color. Look at the sapphire in daylight and indoor light. A good blue should stay blue under both, without turning gray or black in dim light.

Next, look at the size on your hand. The face of an oval sapphire halo ring with an 8 carat center is large, and seeing it on your own finger is the best way to judge whether it suits you.

Then look at the diamonds. The two halos should be even all the way around, with no gaps or loose stones, and the diamonds should look white and bright against the white gold.

Finally, check the fit and comfort. A split shank spreads the weight of a large top, so the ring should sit level and feel steady.

Caring for your oval sapphire halo ring

Clean the ring in warm water with a drop of mild dish soap. Brush gently under the halos and around the prongs with a soft toothbrush, rinse and pat dry. Our jewelry care guide has more detail.

Halo rings collect lotion and soap behind the stones, so regular cleaning keeps both the sapphire and the diamonds bright. Take the ring off for the gym, gardening and heavy housework, and have the prongs checked from time to time.

White gold is usually plated with rhodium for a bright white finish. Over years of wear the plating can soften, and we can re-plate the ring in store. We offer complimentary cleaning and inspection for jewelry bought from our store.

Seeing this oval sapphire halo ring in Boca Raton

Sapphire color is best judged in person. You are welcome to try this oval sapphire halo ring on at our Boca Raton showroom and look at the sapphire and diamonds under a loupe.

We are open Monday to Friday, 9:30 to 5:30, and Saturday, 10:30 to 4:30. Directions are on our Visit Us page.

David Stern Jewelers has served Boca Raton for over 40 years. David Stern is a GIA Graduate Gemologist, so detailed questions about the sapphire and the diamonds can be answered on the spot.

Sizing, appraisal and insurance

This ring can be sized to fit. The split shank and plain lower band leave room to work, and we confirm before any work is done.

It includes a written jewelry appraisal by David Stern, which describes the sapphire, the diamonds and the gold and gives a replacement value for insurance. A ring of this size is worth scheduling on your insurance policy.

More sapphire jewelry

See our sapphire cabochon ring, our cushion sapphire ring in platinum, or browse all our rings.

Questions about this oval sapphire halo ring