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Purple sapphires are exquisite and rare gemstones, found in a spectrum of hues from delicate lilac to deep royal purple, with some stones revealing flashes of red and blue. Many antique purple sapphire rings originate from the old mines of Ceylon and display a rich violet tone. These stones were cut by hand and set masterfully to showcase their incredible colour.
At Berganza, we hold a diverse collection of purple sapphire engagement rings, each with its own unique character. From elegant Art Nouveau designs to striking colour-change sapphires and ethereal mauve star sapphires, each piece is entirely untreated and original, a testament to our dedication to authenticity and rarity.
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Truly one of the best vintage jewellery collections in London.
We had the most wonderful experience buying my vintage engagement ring from Berganza.
Fantastic experience buying an engagement ring. Would highly recommend. Berganza has the best collection of antique rings to choose from.
Natural purple sapphires, and particularly antique and vintage purple sapphire rings, are increasingly rare. This is because of the precise balance of iron and chromium required in their formation. The majority of sapphires form in blue, yellow, or pink hues, whereas the range in which a purple sapphire can form is much narrower, making them much harder to find.
Antique and vintage purple sapphires are even scarcer. Most of these stones were mined from historic regions such as Burma, Kashmir, and Ceylon. These deposits have long been exhausted, meaning less high-quality natural material is available. Additionally, purple was historically less favoured than other sapphire colours, so fewer pieces featuring them were made. Over time, many original pieces were recut, reset, or lost altogether, meaning surviving true antique examples are extremely rare and valuable.
Yes, purple sapphires are a variety of “fancy sapphire” that require very specific conditions to form. As a result, they make up less than 1% of sapphires worldwide. These specific conditions mean that many purple sapphire rings on the market today feature lab-grown or heat-treated stones. These are generally less valuable because their colour has been artificially enhanced through treatments, which are replicable.
A fine natural purple sapphire with good tone, saturation, and clarity is exceptionally rare. Many originate from the now-exhausted mines of Ceylon. This provenance, combined with the unique geological conditions required for their formation, makes them increasingly valuable.
A natural purple sapphire will typically show variation in its colour and specific inclusions within the stone, which indicate its natural origin, as heating can often remove or alter these features. However, the only true way to determine if a purple sapphire is genuine is to have it examined by a reputable gemological laboratory. They will assess the stone under high magnification and use advanced testing techniques to determine whether the stone is natural and if it has undergone any enhancements at the time of testing.
Purple sapphires are members of the corundum family like their blue coutneraprts, corundum is one of the hardest gemstones, second only to diamond, making purple sapphires highly durable and suitable for everyday wear.
To clean your Purple Sapphire ring, soak it in warm water with a small amount of mild soap. Gently brush the stone with a soft bristled toothbrush to remove any dirt or oils, then rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft, lint free cloth.