
White sapphires exhibit less sparkle and a lower refractive index at 1.77(whereas a diamond’s is 2.4). The beauty of the sapphire is in its very whiteness and the color of the body. White sapphires are generally duller than diamonds and can even appear milky or cloudy. You never hear anyone singing about sapphires shining bright, and that’s because they don’t. This is why white sapphire is a popular alternative gemstone for diamond as people often mistake white sapphires to be diamonds.īut if you place a white sapphire and diamond side by side, then the differences become apparent. On the surface, both these gemstones look very similar.

In their pure states, both white sapphires and diamonds are colorless. Diamonds with no tints whatsoever are highly coveted and come with a premium. When there are no traces of elements such as nitrogen and boron during the formation process, pure carbon results in a colorless diamond. Diamonds are formed from highly pressurized and heated carbon atoms. When there are no other elements present, pure corundum is colorless. These hues come from trace elements found in the interior of the earth which combine with the corundum. Sapphires are made of corundum and come in a range of colors with blue being the most popular. White Sapphire and Diamond – Color and Appearance In this article, we’re going to compare these two gemstones to help you decide which is the better option for you. With pros and cons going for both of these gemstones, it can be a challenge to decide which you want for that forever piece of jewelry. Which of these two is actually better? Which should I choose? Both diamonds and white sapphires are top choices for engagement rings. We often have affiliate partnerships, and may generate some revenue from these links at no cost to you.Īlthough diamonds are the most popular colorless gemstone, white sapphire is an excellent option too. As Jewelry Shopping Guide editors, we write about things that we love and we think you’ll like too.
