White Sapphire vs. Diamond: Side-by-Side Comparison

• ✓ To most eyes, white sapphire and diamond look similar — key differences are price, sparkle and maintenance.
• ✓ Diamonds (hardness 10) keep sparkling even when a bit dirty; white sapphires (hardness 9) may look cloudy without regular cleaning.
• ✓ On a budget or want a larger stone? White sapphire wins on value; for maximum durability and fire, diamond wins.

If you thought that diamonds are the only choice when it comes to jewellery, think again. Not only do we now have a choice between mined and lab grown diamonds, we also have a wide range of stones to choose from that look just as beautiful in jewellery settings.

When it comes to memorial keepsake jewellery, you don’t have to choose diamonds if these aren’t in line with your preferences. There are lots of gemstone options out there that will mimic the look of a diamond without the price tag. Today, we’re comparing diamonds to white sapphires, so you can decide which stone is right for your jewellery design.

White sapphires and diamonds: what you need to know

The untrained eye will not be able to tell the difference between a diamond and a white sapphire, but there are some key differences. The first and most obvious will be the price. White sapphires are available at a much lower price point, which makes them a popular choice for anyone who wants the look of a shiny diamond without the associated cost.

Both are hard stones, which means they will resist breaking and scratching. While diamonds are rated as a 10 on the Mohs scale, white sapphires have a 9 rating. It would still take a lot to damage a sapphire, so you can assume that both are strong and durable.

White sapphires and diamonds get their shine and sparkle from the way that they are cut. The facets of the cut determine the refractive index and the fire, which are basically how much the stone will sparkle. Now that we have a basic overview of these different stones, let’s explore the pros and cons of each option.

Diamonds: pros and cons

Diamonds are synonymous with romance and wealth. Mined diamonds are considered to be rare and people love the idea that their rock was formed millions of years ago, but for ethical reasons related to how these diamonds are extracted from the earth, some people prefer lab grown diamonds.

Lab grown diamonds are basically identical to mined diamonds from a structural perspective, and they can often be superior because we can control the input material, which means there will be fewer inclusions.

Some of the benefits of diamonds include:

• They are the hardest substance known to man, so you can be confident your stone won’t be damaged by everyday wear.
• They’re available in a range of colours, including brilliant white.
• Different cuts will create drastically different stones, with intense fire and refraction.
• Diamonds will sparkle even when they are dirty, and everyday wear can mean that your stone has soap and lotion build up.

The downsides of diamonds are as follows:

• When it comes to mined diamonds, they can be pricey. They also don’t retain their value, unless you have a very large or rare diamond.
• They can raise some ethical issues related to how the diamonds are sourced. Some people prefer lab grown diamonds as it removes the ethical dilemmas.

White sapphires: pros and cons

An untrained eye might mistake a white sapphire for a diamond, but there are some key distinctions. White sapphire is the third hardest substance known to man, after diamonds and moissanite. It’s also far more affordable than a diamond.

The downside of a white sapphire is that you need to keep it clean. They can quickly begin to look cloudy as things like soap and lotion build up on the stone. Even water marks can impact the sparkle of the stone.

The facets of a white sapphire won’t sparkle as intensely as a diamond, but they are nonetheless beautiful.

Some of the benefits of white sapphires include:

• They are available at a lower price point, which makes this a great choice for anyone on a budget.
• They are mined from the earth, which some people prefer over a lab grown gemstone. Lab grown white sapphires are also available.
• They’re available in a wide range of cuts, and since they are cheaper, you can often afford to buy a much larger stone for your budget.

Downsides of white sapphires include:

• They are more prone to wear and tear and can become frosted in appearance over the years. This is typically seen along the edges of the facets and they can take on a frosted, sea glass-like appearance.
• They need to be cleaned more often if you want to keep them looking sparkly and beautiful.

Which stone is right for me?

The final choice will come down to your personal preferences and taste. Your budget might also play a role in your final decision. The more important things to remember are as follows:

• You can save money by choosing a lab grown version of anything. This could allow you to simply reduce the cost of the item, or to choose a larger stone than you could afford if you selected a mined stone.
• Diamonds will shine regardless, but white sapphires will need a little extra care to keep them looking sparkly and beautiful.
• To the untrained eye, there is little difference between a diamond and a well cared for white sapphire. Someone would have to get very close to your ring and to know what they are looking for to know the difference.
• If you are choosing this stone for a piece of memorial jewellery that you won’t wear all of the time, then a white sapphire can make a lot of sense. You’ll enjoy a larger stone and the item will be protected from everyday wear. If you plan to wear it most of the time, a diamond will offer the best durability.
• If your main concern is the size of the stone, then choose a white sapphire.

Choosing between sparkle vs size? Diamonds maximise fire and durability; white sapphires maximise stone size per £. If you’re exploring non-diamond tributes, compare memorial glass vs diamonds.

White sapphire vs diamond: quick comparison

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