26.02.21

How to Shop for a Blue Diamond Ring

Are They Real? Are They Rare?

By Stephanie Dore

If you’re anything like us, you’re probably still lamenting how on Earth Rose could ever fathom throwing the Heart of the Ocean overboard… I mean, really. But suspending our disbelief for the romance of it all, that deep blue diamond never actually existed in real life. So we’re not surprised when clients ask us about the rarity, and the realness, of blue diamonds when it comes to their own engagement ring dreams. And yes, blue diamonds are, in fact, real. So how do they get their color? How much do they cost? And where can you get a blue diamond ring of your own? Darlings, we’re about to break it down.

Blue is Not the New Black

While we wish we could tell you that you could just pop into any old jeweler on the block and pick out a pretty blue diamond ring to pop the question with, that’s definitely not the case. Natural blue diamonds are exceptionally rare. Their color comes from trace amounts of the element boron present during the diamond’s growth, deep within the Earth.

Still image of the Hope diamond — The world’s most exceptional natural blue diamond is the 45 carat Hope diamond, which glistens on display at the Museum of Natural History in DC.
Photo courtesy of geology.com/Smithsonian archives

Price and Practicality

Because of their rarity, natural blue diamonds will cost you a very pretty penny. They’re actually one of the more rare fancy colors, in fact, second only to red (which is, like, impossible). Their price will be based on both color and size. But lucky for you, lab grown blue diamonds are kind of blowing up right now, creating a more affordable alternative for a unique blue diamond engagement ring that’s atomically, optically, and physically identical to natural diamonds at about half the price.

Moody Blues

From deep, oceanic hues to the softest shade of sky and everything in between, fancy blue diamonds come in a wide range of shades. And it’s not even just straight-up blue. They can be greenish or grayish or violetish, too. It’s pretty complex to color grade a blue diamond, incorporating hue, tone, and saturation in the mix, all to end up with a final wordgasm along the lines of “fancy light greenish blue”. Note, however, that natural blue diamonds tend to not be ultra-saturated, and you’ll find more variance in their tone (light to dark) than the richness of their body color.

There are no shortages of shades to fit every taste when it comes to blue diamonds, but finding your perfect stone will take a custom search by a pro.
Diamond shade guide courtesy of Pinterest.

variety of blue diamonds in varying shapes and hues for a blue diamond engagement ring — Blue diamonds’ brilliance can carry any shape.
Photo courtesy of Leibish

Frank Darling oval blue diamond ring — If a fancy blue diamond ring isn’t in the budget, try a lab diamond with strong blue fluorescence!

From Shade to Shape

Not to rain on your parade of possibilities, but it’s important to know that when shopping for fancy blue diamonds, you’ll often find them in fancy shapes too—not so often in rounds. Because of their rarity, a diamond cutter’s desire to save rough carat weight, and the fact that fancy shapes hold and show off their color better than round brilliants, you’re a lot more likely to find radiants and cushions and ovals when it comes to color. Keep an open mind when it comes to shapes and you’ll find some options that might surprise you. In a great way!

Deep blue emerald cut sapphire bezel set in yellow gold — Sapphire is a timeless, elegant, and affordable option for blue gem lovers.
Parker No. 5

Something Else Blue

If you’re not set on a blue diamond engagement ring, or open to alternatives, there are some other blue gemstones that might pique your interest. Of absolutely no surprise to anyone who’s, well, paying any attention, sapphires for engagement rings are a popular choice. Just look at Princess Di’s sapphire stunner, now gracing the finger of Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, which probably launched more love for blue stones than even Rose’s oceanic catastrophe. Because of their hardness, sapphires are a great option for everyday wear and can be found in deep, rich hues at a more affordable price for a bigger rock. We’re also fans of semi-precious gems like blue topaz and aquamarine, but as these stones are softer and more easily scratched, you do have to be careful with how you wear them.

Do You, Do Blue

No matter how you choose to indulge your interest in blue diamonds or gemstones, they’re definitely worthy of consideration when it comes to major moments (and major jewelry)! Want to see what your favorite style of blue diamond engagement ring might look like? Try our design quiz to customize a ring and get a free sketch! And when you’re ready, email us at hello@shop.frankdarling.com and our gemological geniuses will help you hunt down the perfect rock.