Design Details

Purple Sapphire, Paraíba-Type Tourmaline & Diamond 3-Stone Ring
Platinum, Size 6.5
1 Fancy Purple Sapphire Oval 4.81 ct. (10.74x8.69x5.98mm) - Natural
2 Paraíba-Type Tourmaline Oval 0.89 ctw. (6.00x4.00mm) - Heated
124 Diamond Rd 0.93 ctw. (F+/VS+)

Unique Design Traits

The brilliant and saturated purple fancy sapphire glows at the center of this design. The center stone has no heat treatment and is accompanied by a GIA certificate.

The fancy sapphire is surrounded by a masterfully-constructed platinum wire basket that sits comfortably on the hand.

The rare Paraíba-type tourmaline sides add a pop of complementing color to a very elegant 3-stone design.

Due to the rarity of copper-bearing tourmaline, inclusions can often be expected in Paraíba and Paraíba-type tourmalines, however, the well-cut, matched pairs display fine clarity.

Gemstone Details

Fancy Sapphire

Beloved for centuries as the ultimate gemstone, sapphire is part of the Corundum mineral family and is an ideal choice for everyday wear. With a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, sapphire of any color is one of the hardest gemstones behind a diamond. They exist in blue, pink, green, yellow, orange, purple, colorless and black. Sapphires that are not blue, black or colorless are called fancy sapphires. Some sapphires may be considered ‘parti-colored’ by displaying combinations of different colors. Each color category has its own color range from different color-causing trace elements and sources.

Sapphire is found in many parts of the world, but the most prized sapphires are from Myanmar (Burma), Kashmir and Sri Lanka (Ceylon). Variations of fancy sapphire include the rare, orange-pink padparadscha sapphire as well as the unique star sapphire.

Due to their crystal growth, larger sapphires are most often found in fancy brilliant cuts, like oval or cushion, large rounds and emerald cuts are markedly rarer to encounter. No matter what the color, sapphires combine durability and beauty for generations of pleasure.

Sapphire is the birthstone for September and the gem of the 5th and 45th anniversaries.

Paraíba-Type/Cuprian Elbaite Tourmaline & Paraíba Tourmaline

Copper-bearing tourmaline, more often recognized by the name Paraíba, is technically named cuprian elbaite tourmaline. As a trace element, copper is responsible for the intense neon blue hues that make Paraíba and Paraíba-type tourmalines so desirable. A stone is considered a Paraíba tourmaline if it is mined in the specific region in Paraíba, Brazil where the stone was first discovered in the 1980’s. The allure of this magnificent stone from the moment of its discovery saw demand far surpass supply. Thanks to more recent discoveries of deposits in Nigeria and Mozambique, supply has increased for this unique stone, but fine material over a carat remains extremely rare. Stones mined in Mozambique, Nigeria or anywhere else in the world besides Paraíba are thus referred to as Paraíba-type tourmalines. From the moment this stone was discovered, its unique color captivated gem collectors and jewelry lovers around the world. 

Demand has remained high with the addition of new sources; no other color tourmaline has ever commanded the prices of fine cuprian elbaite tourmaline. The range of color in the stone can appear greenish blue, bluish green, green, blue and violet. Color is perhaps the most important variable when comparing these stones, all other things being equal. Inclusions are to be expected and forgiven when judging fine stones, as long as saturation of color and brightness remain strong. 

Tourmaline is the birthstone for October and the gift for the eighth wedding anniversary.