Something Blue: Sapphires and the Wedding Tradition
TL;DR: "Something blue" comes from a 19th-century English rhyme, and sapphire — traditionally blue, durable, and historically linked to fidelity — is one of the most natural ways to fulfil it through jewellery, whether as an engagement ring centre stone, a hidden accent, or a wedding day gift.
Where "Something Blue" Comes From
The tradition traces to a Victorian-era rhyme — "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" — outlining items a bride should carry for good fortune. Blue specifically was associated with fidelity and constancy, values naturally connected to marriage.
Why Sapphire Fits Naturally
Sapphire has carried associations with loyalty and truth for centuries, quite apart from the "something blue" tradition specifically, which makes it a doubly appropriate choice rather than a coincidental colour match. At 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, it's also genuinely durable for daily wear — see our sapphire durability guide — which matters if the piece will be worn as part of the wedding day and beyond, not just for the ceremony itself.
Ways to Incorporate Sapphire
As an engagement ring centre stone — a genuine, established alternative to diamond, worn as the primary ring from proposal onward.
As a hidden accent — a small sapphire set beneath the centre stone or inside the band, visible only to the wearer, a subtle nod to tradition rather than a visible statement.
As a wedding day gift — sapphire earrings, a bracelet, or a pendant given specifically on the wedding day itself, sometimes from partner to partner or from a parent to the bride.
Woven into the wedding band — small sapphire accents alongside diamonds in the wedding band design.
Designing a "Something Blue" Piece at À Vie Diamonds
We source certified sapphires and can design any of these approaches as a bespoke commission. Get in touch to discuss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the something blue tradition come from? A Victorian-era English rhyme listing items a bride should carry for good fortune, with blue associated with fidelity.
Is sapphire a good choice for an engagement ring? Yes — at 9 on the Mohs scale, sapphire is genuinely durable for daily wear and carries its own long-standing symbolic associations with loyalty.
Last reviewed: July 2026 · À Vie Diamonds