A Vindication of Baguette Cut Sapphires

Take a moment and cleanse your mind of every preconception you hold about sapphire jewelry.

Sapphire, a form of corundum, is frequently blue, and the most common cuts are cushion, round, oval and now baguette cuts.

These cuts are beloved for their fire and brilliance, but there is a world of opportunity awaiting in sapphire baguette rings, earrings, necklaces, and other finery. 

Here’s what you need to know.

About the Baguette Cut

Despite its recent resurgence in popularity, the baguette cut is not in fact new. It is quite the vintage cut.

You may recognize the baguette cut; if you do not, it is a linear cut with several long facets called step facets. These are opposed to the short, sharp facets of brilliant and round-cut diamonds (and other gems).

Baguette-cut sapphires are elongated and have a slimming effect. They are also much easier to produce than other cuts since they contain only 14 facets - dwarfed by the 57 of brilliant-cut stones.

Consequently, the clarity and color of baguette-cut sapphires must be much higher in quality than those of brilliant cuts, as the baguette cut is less forgiving.

But, be that as it may, the baguette cut has an undeniably vintage, avant-garde aesthetic. This is due in part to its unique history.

It was developed in the 1920s or 1930s and is closely associated with the Art Deco and Art Nouveau movements.

The rectangular styling of the baguette cut was popular with the cultural revolutionaries of the day, likely in part due to the fact that it was so different from other common cuts of the time.

But the baguette cut is not different solely for the sake of being different. It can rightly claim a number of distinctions and advantages over other cuts.

Not to suggest that it is superior - only that it occupies its own distinct echelon and deserves praise for its unique merits.

Why Baguette Cut Sapphires?

The first thing you should know about baguette-cut sapphires is that they require less involvement in production. Because there are fewer facets, it is easier to produce them.

One of the other important attributes of baguette-cut sapphires is that, due to their unique, linear orientation, a smaller stone may appear much larger than it actually is.

This means a “little” baguette sapphire goes a long way. Baguette-cut stones are also beautiful on their own, but equally aesthetically impressive in supporting roles - such as flanking stones around a larger stone set, for instance, in the center of a ring.

Multiple smaller baguette cut stones can also be set in a series, such as around an infinity band, or along the length of a necklace or bracelet. This creates a unique, almost geometric effect.

The baguette cut is also indelibly individualistic. Because it is so closely associated with the splendor, excess, and revolutionary counterculture of the 1920s and 1930s, the baguette cut possesses a certain inalienable mystique.

This makes baguette-cut gemstones - sapphire included - very popular among those who like to set themselves apart through their own uniquely curated sense of style. The baguette cut is for rebels, free-thinkers, and trendsetters.

Here is something else to know about baguette-cut stones. This cut is unforgiving of flaws and sloppy workmanship, which means that only the highest quality baguette-cut stones are offered for sale - this is what you will see reflected in our catalog.

Although other cuts, like round and brilliant cut stones, produce excellent fire, a stone of high clarity and grade of color that is perfectly baguette-cut will produce excellent fire as well.

A Sapphire Baguette Ring That Will Change the Way You Think About Sapphires

Sapphire is more than just a brilliant blue gemstone and September’s birthstone. It is a gemstone that has been immutably marked by cultural and historical ascriptions and associations.

The Greeks considered the sapphire a stone of guidance; Buddhists believed it could provide, even channel enlightenment. As recently as 1981, sapphire’s symbolic significance as a stone of eternal love was renewed with Prince Charles’ gift of a 12-carat engagement ring to the Lady Diana.

But not all sapphires are blue. Sapphire is available in a wide range of other colors, including but not limited to gray, clear, yellow, and green. There is even a pink grade of sapphire known as padparadscha; these are the rarest of all natural sapphires.

Our sapphire baguette ring is a testament, both to the variety of natural sapphires and to the inherent, iconoclastic splendor of baguette-cut gemstones. It is at once brilliant, multi-hued, and inspiring.

Even though they are baguette-cut, there are 1.10 carats of pastel sapphires in this ring, arrayed in our signature “fireworks” setting, flanked by white diamonds, and set in either yellow or rose gold.

While it would make a brilliant and exquisite addition to any collection (not to mention any ensemble) don’t let it outshine our collection of other baguette-cut sapphire jewelry.

Take a look through our collection via the link above and if we can be of assistance in any way, please contact our customer service at 818-812-9217.