Rare & Radiant: Discover One-of-a-Kind Sapphires & Diamonds in Boston
Choosing a gemstone online can only tell you so much. Color shifts in different light, inclusions create patterns you may not notice in a photograph, and two stones with nearly identical descriptions can feel completely different once you see them side by side.
On October 28, Rare & Radiant is bringing an unusual collection of one-of-a-kind sapphires and diamonds to our South End Boston showroom for one evening dedicated to seeing these stones in person.
Expect sapphires in unexpected colors, diamonds with distinctive inclusions and unusual cuts, and individual stones that rarely make their way into a traditional jewelry case. Whether you're actively looking for a center stone or simply curious about what exists beyond the classics, Rare & Radiant is an opportunity to explore gemstones without needing to know exactly what you're looking for first.
See Sapphires Beyond Blue
Blue may be the color most associated with sapphire, but it represents only a small part of what these gemstones can look like.
Sapphires naturally occur in shades of teal, green, pink, lavender, peach, yellow and more, with some stones showing multiple colors or subtle shifts depending on the light.
That variation is part of what makes sapphire engagement rings so personal. Rather than choosing from a standardized appearance, you can look for a particular combination of color, shape and character.
At Rare & Radiant, you'll be able to compare sapphires side by side and see differences that can be difficult to capture online - from softer muted tones to saturated color and unusual zoning within an individual stone.
If you're beginning your search, our guide to choosing a sapphire engagement ring is also a great place to learn more about sapphire colors, origins and treatments before the event.
Diamonds That Look a Little Different
Rare & Radiant isn't limited to colorful gemstones.
We'll also be showcasing diamonds selected because they fall outside the traditional idea of what a diamond "should" look like. That might mean visible inclusions, unconventional colors, unexpected proportions or cuts that emphasize the natural character of the rough.
Salt & pepper and other included diamonds can contain patterns ranging from delicate scattered inclusions to dramatic clouds of black, gray and white. Instead of trying to hide those characteristics, these stones make them part of the design.
For someone drawn to an engagement ring that doesn't immediately resemble everyone else's, these diamonds offer a different way to think about what makes a stone beautiful.
Unusual Cuts, Shapes & Misfit Gems
Some of the most interesting stones don't fit neatly into standard shape categories at all.
Alongside familiar ovals, pears and emerald cuts, Rare & Radiant will include gemstones with elongated proportions, geometric shapes, freeform cuts and asymmetrical silhouettes.
We'll also be featuring stones sourced through Misfit Diamonds, whose collection celebrates gems that may have been overlooked by the conventional jewelry industry because of their shape, color or natural inclusions.
These stones are especially fun to design around. Instead of choosing a setting first and finding a gemstone to fit it, a distinctive center stone can become the starting point for an entirely custom engagement ring or piece of fine jewelry.
The Advantage of Seeing Gemstones in Person
There are plenty of things we can evaluate from a gemstone report, measurements or a high-quality video. There are also things that are simply easier to understand when the stone is sitting in front of you.
You can see how a sapphire changes as you move it through the light. You can compare a cooler teal with a warmer green. You can decide whether you love the inclusions in a diamond rather than trying to imagine them from a magnified video.
And sometimes, the stone you expected to like isn't the one you end up choosing.
Rare & Radiant is designed to make that exploration part of the experience. You don't need to arrive knowing a specific carat weight, shape or color. Our gemstone specialists will be there throughout the evening to answer questions, talk through sourcing and help you understand what you're seeing.
Designing Around a One-of-a-Kind Stone
Portrait Cut Hexagonal Blue Sapphire in a Custom Setting
An unusual center stone can also open up possibilities for the rest of the ring.
A freeform sapphire might call for an organic custom setting. A long geometric diamond can become the centerpiece of a clean modern design. A colorful sapphire can be paired with yellow gold for warmth or contrasted against platinum or white gold.
At Laura Preshong, we can pair alternative gemstones with many of our existing engagement ring settings or work with you to create a custom engagement ring designed specifically around your stone.
If you're curious about what can be used in place of a traditional white diamond, you can also explore our guide to alternative gemstone options for engagement rings before Rare & Radiant.
Join Us for Rare & Radiant in Boston
Rare & Radiant takes place October 28 at our South End Boston showroom and is available by RSVP.
For one evening, you'll be able to explore a curated selection of colorful sapphires, unconventional diamonds, unusual cuts and one-of-a-kind gemstones while enjoying drinks and bites in the gallery.
Come with a ring idea, a favorite color, a screenshot you've been saving - or simply curiosity.
Sometimes finding the right stone starts with seeing something you didn't know existed.
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