Coloured Sapphires Hidden in the Tulip Petals
By Clint Casmiro, Co-Founder, Smiro Studio, Toronto · Updated September 28, 2026
Short answer: You can set small natural sapphires into the petals of a tulip basket. From the top you see only the white diamond. When the ring turns, the colour shows underneath. On this ring we set coloured sapphires in the bottom of the petals under a bowtie-free moval, and paired it with a double band.
This is one of our most talked about rings, and it shows how to add colour without changing the top view.
Read the video transcript
This is probably the coolest cool girl engagement ring you are ever going to see. I have absolutely no words to describe this. It's just a work of art. I have no other way to say that it's truly a work of art. This is our custom bowtie-free moval. There is no bowtie in the middle, so it's really cut throughout the stone. It has a slight yellow hue to it. We did our classic tulip basket, but at the bottom, we added natural coloured sapphires to the tulips. But she also got a double band, so it still has that classic simple timeless look. But only when you flip it over, do you see that colorful, playfulness, like that personality coming out of the ring. I wish, I wish I was keeping this for me. Whoever the lucky girl is, just know this is a 10 out of 10 ring.
The ring in the video
A bowtie-free moval, cut so there is no bowtie through the middle, with a slight warm hue. Our classic tulip basket, with natural coloured sapphires set at the bottom of the petals. And a double band, two slim bands side by side. From the top it is simple and timeless. Flip it and the colour comes out.
Which colours work
Sapphires come in almost every colour: pink, yellow, orange, purple, blue and green. They are hard enough to wear every day. Rubies work too. Mixing colours in one basket is possible, but it is one of the hardest things we build, so it takes more time.
Other places to hide colour
- A coloured hidden halo, like the ruby one in our oval tulip post.
- Birthstones in the petals or the bridge.
- A stone set inside the band. See hidden birthstone bands.
What is a double band?
Two slim bands joined into one ring. It reads as a stack without needing a separate wedding band, and adds width without weight.
Want colour you only see when the ring turns?
A free 30 minute video call with Clint or Karina. Bring a photo, a budget, or nothing at all.
Book a free callGet a 60 second estimateQuestions we get about this
Can you put sapphires in a tulip basket?
Yes. Small natural sapphires can be set into the petals. They do not show from the top.
Can I mix colours?
Yes, though it is harder to build. Plan a little extra time.
Will the sapphires fall out?
No. They are set into the metal of the petals like any small stone and checked before delivery.
How much does a tulip ring with sapphire petals cost?
A fully custom ring from us starts at about $4,000 USD, and most of the rings we build land between $4,000 and $5,000. Our Ready To Order settings start at $1,299 CAD, plus the diamond. The centre stone moves the price most: in September 2026 a 2 carat lab grown diamond ran about $2,500 CAD and a 3 carat about $2,700 CAD. Hand engraving, a hidden halo, a split shank and gemstones in the petals each add bench time. Real numbers are in our cost guide.
Are sapphires durable enough for a ring?
Yes. Sapphire is 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, second only to diamond, so it suits everyday wear.
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