The difference between 14K and 10K Gold is the percentage of gold that is contained in a piece of gold jewelry. 10K gold contains 41.7% gold and 58.3% alloy, which means it contains more alloy than gold and therefore a less expensive option. 14K gold contains 58.5% gold and 41.5% alloy and is usually the most popular choice for wedding rings and engagement rings. Pure gold is a soft metal that tends to bend and scratch very easily, so since 10K gold has the most alloy in it, it’s more durable/less soft than 14K gold.

In terms of the color, 10K gold looks slightly more pale than 14K gold but usually you won't be able to see the difference with your bare eyes.

We offer 18K and Platinum upon request: orders@apresjewelry.com

Morganite is a clear pink ‘species’ of the gemstone Beryl.  It is named after the collector (and US banker) JP Morgan and can be found in a range of places including Brazil and Madagascar.  Morganite’s subtle color is caused by traces of manganese.

We love this stone because it has a strong orange color component, creating a salmon or Rosé color. And also, who doesn’t love a pink stone!

On the Moh’s Hardness Scale, it scores an 8 which makes it a great choice for a center stone. Additionally, faceted morganite, in light and stronger colors, usually has no eye-visible inclusions.

Color

A diamond's color actually refers to its lack of color. The less color, the higher the color grade. Colorless Diamonds are typically grades D-F, and Near-Colorless are grades G-J. To avoid a pale yellow color, we suggest you choose a diamond grade H or higher.

Clarity

Most diamonds have tiny imperfections called inclusions. The fewer and less visible the inclusions, the higher the clarity grade. Here is a breakdown of the grading options:

• Flawless (FL) No inclusions and no blemishes visible under 10x magnification
• Internally Flawless (IF) No inclusions visible under 10x magnification
• Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS₁ and VVS₂) Inclusions so slight they are difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10x magnification
• Very Slightly Included (VS₁ and VS₂) Inclusions are observed with effort under 10x magnification, but can be characterized as minor
• Slightly Included (SI₁ and SI₂) Inclusions are noticeable under 10x magnification
• Included (I₁, I₂, and I₃) Inclusions are obvious under 10x magnification which may affect transparency and brilliance

We suggest any stone that’s SI₂ or higher. However, VS₁ or higher will ensure that inclusions are not visible to the naked eye.

Carat

Carat actually refers to a diamond's weight, not its size. To maximize your budget, we recommend selecting a carat weight slightly below the whole and half carat marks. For example, instead of a 1.0-carat diamond, consider buying a 0.9-carat weight. This will save some money and the slight size difference will never be noticed. Additionally, if you don’t have a huge budget but want the stone to appear larger than it is, consider adding a halo to the setting. It makes the center stone appear about 25% bigger than it actually is.

Cut

When a diamond is cut with the proper proportions, light is returned out of the top of the diamond. If it is cut too shallow, light leaks out of the bottom; too deep and it escapes out of the side. We suggest a cut grade of Very Good or better.

Certification

A diamond certificate is a diamond grading report created by a team of gemologists. The diamond is evaluated, measured, and a completed certificate includes an analysis of the diamond’s dimensions, clarity, color, polish, symmetry, and other characteristics. We only sell certified white diamonds for center stones so that you can properly compare diamonds based on the Four Cs and other factors.

We offer GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and EGL (European Gemological Laboratory) certifications.

Pricing

One of the biggest appeals of getting a white sapphire center stone would be the fact that they are far more affordable than a diamond. Diamonds can start at $6000 for a 1 carat stone, whereas a Sapphire can star at $600 for a 1 carat stone.

Hardness

Sapphires are a hard and scratch resistant mineral, so white sapphire engagement rings are very durable. On the Mohs Scale of Hardness, a sapphire is rated as a 9. This makes it the second hardest natural stone used in jewelry. A diamond, which is the hardest, scores a 10.

Size + Shape Availability

Both white diamonds and white sapphires come in about any shape and size, which leaves a lot of flexibility with the design process. Every one of our engagement rings can be made with the white sapphire or diamond of your choice.

Sparkle + Shine

A white diamond will sparkle more than than a white sapphire. Diamonds has more scintillation, which refers to the rainbow colors that you can typically see a diamond giving off. A white sapphire does not display any scintillation. However, white sapphires still sparkle in their own right. See the image above to reference the two side by side: the oval-cut white diamond is on the LEFT and the round-cut white sapphire is on the RIGHT.

Grading System

Unfortunately, a cut grading system for sapphires does not exist. White Diamonds on the other hand have grading for their carat size, clarity, color and cut.

One of the most striking characteristics of a Rose Cut Diamond is it’s flat base. These stones lack a pavilion, which is the pointy base that you typically see on modern round brilliant diamonds.

With anywhere from 3 to 24 facets, a rose cut diamond resembles the shape of a rose bud. In general, they are flat at the bottom creating a larger surface area for the stone’s brilliance.

Another bonus of buying a rose cut is since it's flat on the bottom, the stones size appears much larger than its actual carat weight. For example, a 6mm round diamond would be around 0.9 carat in a modern round brilliant cut (a traditional diamond) and around 0.42 carat in a rose cut. They look the same from the top view since they are the same width, but the lack of the base of the rose cut makes it lighter so you end up paying less since it’s a lower carat weight.