While a diamond engagement ring is the most traditional and popular choice, more and more couples are looking for unique, nontraditional and even colorful engagement ring options that fit their lifestyle and taste. Both engagement and wedding rings carry significant meaning, so it’s best to choose something that you’ll want to wear for a lifetime.
Alternative Gemstone Engagement Rings
An engagement ring can be any ring, it doesn’t have to be a diamond, it doesn’t have to be expensive, and it doesn’t even have to have a stone…the most important thing is choosing something your partner will enjoy wearing. Gemstone engagement rings are becoming popular due to their unique style and color options, larger size and lower cost. Because they have different levels of hardness, it’s important to know which ones will stand up to daily wear, and which ones could break easily.
Generally speaking, gemstones with a 7.5 and above rating on the Mohs Hardness Scale make the best engagement ring center stones for normal daily wear and there are a number of colorful options. Diamonds are clear and colorless, and therefore go with everything, so when considering an alternative, remember it might not be as versatile, so it’s important to choose a color that you absolutely love and won’t grow tired of.
- Sapphire, which comes in a range of colors like blue, pink, yellow and green and its sister, ruby, are the hardest non-diamond gems available ranking 9 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, making them perfect for jewelry like engagement rings.
- Morganite is a pink semi-precious stone belonging to the beryl mineral family which also includes the more common beryls like emerald and aquamarine all with a hardness of 7.5-8 on Mohs hardness scale, making them fairly scratch resistant and durable enough for everyday wear.
- Tsavorite with a hardness of 7-7.5 and a vibrancy and color akin to emerald is one of the best garnets for an engagement ring. It’s in much lower demand and therefore less expensive than emeralds of comparable color.
- Tourmaline ranges from 7-7.5 on Mohs scale of hardness, is just hard enough to take the rigors of daily wear and is available in more colors than any other gemstone.
- With a value of 7 on Mohs scale, quartz including amethyst, citrine, rose quartz, etc, are quite hard but may be prone to scratches, so you may want to consider a protective setting if you choose this stone for an engagement or wedding ring.
Celebs like Meghan Fox, Emma Stone, Katy Perry and Gwyneth Paltrow all rock alternative engagement rings with non-diamond center stones. If you’re searching for other colors or styles, just be sure to understand the durability of the stone and consider a more protective setting in your ring design.
Reasons to Consider a Diamond Engagement Ring
In 1477, Archduke Maximillian of Austria commissioned the very first diamond engagement ring (on record) for his betrothed, Mary of Burgundy sparking a trend for diamond rings among European aristocracy and nobility. In 1947, De Beers launched its “A Diamond is Forever” campaign which forever changed the diamond industry which exploded shortly thereafter. A diamond’s sparkle and purity have now become synonymous with engagements and a couple’s commitment to one another across the world.
Diamonds are the most traditional and popular engagement ring choice due to their appearance, but also practicality. Aesthetically pleasing yes, but also one of the strongest naturally occurring substances on earth and therefore able to withstand almost anything and last a lifetime. Their neutrality of color also makes for a versatile ring that never clashes against clothing, hair or skin tone.
If you don’t want a natural diamond, and don’t want to stray too far from tradition, lab grown diamonds are a great option. These diamonds are created in a lab replicating the growing process of a natural diamond, resulting in a stone that is chemically and visually the same as ones created by mother nature. Moissanite is another near-colorless lab grown gemstone that is also sometimes used instead of diamonds in jewelry.
An engagement ring is one of the most personal and important purchases you will ever make, and likely the most sentimental thing you’ll ever wear. Whether it’s a traditional diamond or a colorful gemstone, we can help you design it and ensure you feel happy and loved every time you look down at your hand. Give us a call at 303-385-8449 or click here to schedule an appointment.