Salt and pepper, teal and parti sapphires are three distinctive types of sapphire: salt and pepper stones are speckled with inclusions, teal sapphires blend blue and green, and parti sapphires show two or more colours in one stone. All three share the hardness that makes sapphire a practical engagement ring stone, so the choice comes down to the look you love.
They have become popular with couples who want something less expected than a classic blue sapphire or a white diamond. Here is what sets each one apart.
Salt and pepper sapphires
A salt and pepper sapphire has visible inclusions scattered through it, a little like a starry sky. The stone can look softly cloudy or speckled rather than crisp and clear, and the base colour is often grey, pale blue or green.
The appeal is character. No two look the same, and the inclusions are part of the beauty rather than a flaw to hide. Because sparkle is softer, these stones suit simple settings that let the pattern show, such as a bezel or a slim claw setting.
Teal sapphires
Teal sapphires sit between blue and green, and the balance varies from stone to stone. Some lean towards ocean blue, others towards a deep green. Many can look different in daylight and indoor light.
Teal suits yellow and rose gold particularly well, and it pairs nicely with white diamond accents if you want a little extra sparkle.
Illustration of a blue gemstone halo ring in rose gold, not a finished À Vie piece.
Parti sapphires
Parti sapphires show distinct zones of colour within a single stone, for example yellow and green, or blue and yellow. The name comes from "particoloured". How the stone is cut decides how those zones show, so two parti sapphires of similar colour can look very different once set.
Because the colour zones are the point, it is worth viewing a parti sapphire face up and from the side before choosing it, and thinking about which way it will face in the setting.
How they compare
| Salt and pepper | Teal | Parti | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Look | Speckled, softly cloudy | Blue green blend | Two or more colour zones |
| Sparkle | Soft | Bright | Bright |
| Suits | Bezel or simple claws | Most settings | Settings that show the colour zones |
Are they durable enough for daily wear?
Sapphire is among the hardest gemstones after diamond and moissanite, so all three types can suit everyday wear when well set. Heavily included salt and pepper stones can be slightly more vulnerable to a hard knock, which is another reason a protective setting suits them. Our guide to whether sapphires are durable enough for daily wear goes into more detail.
What to ask about before you choose
- Treatment. Many sapphires are heated to improve colour or clarity. It is a widely accepted practice, but you should know if a stone has been treated.
- A gemmological report. For a larger stone, a report from a recognised laboratory confirms what it is and whether it has been treated.
- Photos and video in different light. This matters especially for teal and parti stones, which can shift in tone.
Salt and pepper diamonds are different
Salt and pepper diamonds have a similar speckled look but are a different stone. If you are deciding between the two, our sapphire guide, sapphire engagement rings: everything you need to know, is a good place to start.
Exploring coloured stones with us
Unusual sapphires vary a great deal from stone to stone, and availability changes, so we would talk through what can be sourced, with photos and video, before you commit. A 70% deposit starts the making once you approve the CAD design. Your ring is crafted by specialist goldsmiths, UK hallmarked and sent by insured tracked courier. Bespoke rings start from £600.
Read about the bespoke journey to see how a commission works from first conversation to delivery.
Frequently asked questions
What is a salt and pepper sapphire?
A sapphire with visible inclusions scattered through it, giving a speckled, softly cloudy look.
What colour is a teal sapphire?
A blend of blue and green. The balance varies, and many teal stones can look different in daylight and indoor light.
What is a parti sapphire?
A sapphire with two or more distinct colour zones in one stone, such as yellow and green.
Are these sapphires good for engagement rings?
Yes, sapphire is very hard and suits daily wear. Heavily included salt and pepper stones benefit from a protective setting.