Marcus Tempus
Bold colour meets beautifully balanced geometry in The Astoria.
At its centre sits a 1.00ct cushion-cut blue sapphire, chosen for its wonderfully saturated blue and softly squared silhouette. On either side, a pair of trapeze brilliant-cut diamonds totalling 0.35ct follow the lines of the sapphire, creating a striking three-stone composition without distracting from the colour at its heart.
The ring combines an 18ct yellow gold shank with a platinum head, allowing the warmth of gold to frame the sapphire while the cool platinum settings blend naturally with the brilliance of the diamonds.
There is something wonderfully confident about Astoria: classic sapphire and diamond jewellery, but with sharper lines and a distinctly contemporary character.
1.00ct natural blue sapphire
Cushion cut, approximately 6.85 × 5.00mm
Two trapeze brilliant-cut diamonds
Total diamond weight: 0.35ct
18ct yellow gold shank
Platinum head and diamond settings
Three-stone design
Ring size: M centre
Part of The House of Gemstones
Part of The House of Gemstones collection, where exceptional gemstones meet timeless craftsmanship.
The House of Gemstones
Blue sapphire has been admired for centuries for its depth of colour, exceptional durability and association with loyalty, wisdom and enduring love.
From vivid cornflower tones to rich royal blue, every sapphire has its own balance of colour, brilliance and character.
Nature’s Artistry
Blue sapphire is corundum coloured principally by trace amounts of iron and titanium.Sapphire is one of the hardest natural gemstones and is well suited to regular wear. Clean it with lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft brush.
Origins and Character
Celebrated for bright, lively sapphires ranging from delicate sky blue to saturated royal blue.
Known for richly saturated blue sapphires with strong colour and a refined velvety appearance.
An important modern source producing a broad range of fine blue sapphires, including vivid and highly transparent stones.
Historic Kashmir sapphires are legendary for their rare velvety cornflower-blue colour and are among the most prized sapphires in the world.
Often associated with deeper blue, inky or greenish-blue tones and strong colour zoning.
Understanding Treatment
Heat treatment has been used for generations to improve colour and clarity in sapphire. It is permanent, stable and widely accepted within the jewellery trade when properly disclosed.
A natural sapphire is formed in the Earth. It may still have received a recognised treatment.
Heat is used to improve colour or clarity. This is common and accepted when disclosed.
A sapphire showing no evidence of heat treatment is rarer and may command a premium.
Sapphires in History
One of the world’s largest faceted blue sapphires, admired for its exceptional size and colour.
A celebrated star sapphire displaying a distinct six-rayed optical star.
A historic royal sapphire set within the British Imperial State Crown.
The famous oval blue sapphire engagement ring worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, and later by Catherine, Princess of Wales.
Marcus Tempus Gemstone Selection
At Marcus Tempus, we select blue sapphires for beauty rather than certificates alone. We consider colour, brilliance, transparency, cut, durability and overall character, choosing gemstones we would be proud to wear ourselves.
Marcus Tempus Bespoke
Many Marcus Tempus sapphire jewellery designs can be individually crafted around your preferred shade of blue, gemstone shape and precious metal. Where the design allows, we can also discuss heated or unheated stones and alternative sapphire origins.
Availability varies according to colour, origin, treatment, shape and stone dimensions. Not every sapphire is suitable for every setting, and some combinations may require small design adjustments.
Enquire About Bespoke Options →Blue Sapphire Questions
Blue colour is generally caused by trace amounts of iron and titanium within corundum.
Yes. With a Mohs hardness of 9, sapphire is exceptionally durable and well suited to rings.
Many are. Heat treatment is common, stable and widely accepted when properly disclosed.
No. Fine colour should be rich and saturated while still allowing the gemstone to remain lively.
It is a sapphire showing no evidence of heat treatment. Such stones are rarer and may carry a premium.
Yes. Sapphire occurs in pink, yellow, green, orange, purple, white, teal and parti-coloured varieties.
