Diamonds aren’t the only gemstone that speak elegance, sophistication, and luxury in fine jewelry. There are alternative engagement ring stones that hold just as much appreciation and meaning. If you’re shopping for a piece of forever jewelry, you need to know your options outside of the traditional diamond.
Here’s your comprehensive guide to alternative engagement ring stones and how to find the perfect piece of jewelry that symbolizes your love and commitment (and that your partner will adore!).
Why Choose a Colorful Gemstone?
Express Your Unique Personality and Style
There are several reasons why you should choose a colorful gemstone over a diamond, but our most favorite one is the ability to express your individuality. Colorful gemstones give your loved ones the chance to showcase their unique personality and style with a hue that stands out from the crowd. Instead of choosing a clear diamond to wear, add warmth or interest to any look with colorful jewelry.
Embrace a Deeper, Symbolic Meaning
Everyone fawns over the semblance of wealth and rarity diamonds carry, but alternative engagement ring stones have their own meanings, often deeper and more symbolic. For instance, sapphires symbolize loyalty and faithfulness, two virtues that fit perfectly with a proposal. Rubies symbolize passion and love, and emeralds symbolize new beginnings and love.
Get a Bolder Look for Your Budget
Once you start shopping for an engagement ring, you’ll notice that the cost tends to be higher for this rare gemstone. The good news is that colorful gemstones are a more affordable jewelry option.
Since the demand – and awe – for diamonds are higher, you’ll find that most colorful gemstone jewelry is cheaper yet still high in quality and design. This allows you to purchase a ring that looks bold and elegant within your price range.
Meet the Magnificent Three: A Deep Dive into Sapphire, Emerald, and Ruby
Sapphire: The Celestial Stone of Royalty and Wisdom
Sapphires are stunning gemstones that come in the shade of royal blue that gives the piece timeless elegance. Choosing between sapphires versus diamonds can be tough since both gems hold lots of weight in terms of beauty and elegance, but you may find the symbolic meaning and durability of a sapphire to outweigh that of a diamond.
What Does a Sapphire Symbolize?
As we mentioned earlier, sapphires symbolize loyalty and faithfulness but they also symbolize wealth and nobility. Sapphires have historical ties to royalty, which is what you’ll make your loved one feel like once you present a gorgeous sapphire engagement ring.
Durability Test: Is Sapphire Good for Everyday Wear? (Mohs Scale: 9)
To put it shortly, sapphires are exceptionally durable, perfect for everyday wear. On the Mohs scale (a unit of measurement to determine how durable minerals in gems are), sapphires rate 9 out of 10, with 10 being the hardest and most resistant. That means you never have to worry about your sapphire scratching or chipping easily from consistent use.
Perfect Pairings: Which Gold Color Complements a Sapphire?
As you shop for a sapphire engagement ring, you may be wondering what gold color band complements this striking gemstone. The good news is that all of them complement a sapphire in their own way. Rose gold elevates the sense of romance. White gold creates a cool contrast to give the piece a timeless feel, while yellow gold adds warm and a touch of vintage elegance.
Emerald: The Lush Gem of Renewal and Love
Emeralds are great to have in an engagement ring if you want to give your loved one a ring that’s eye-catching and vibrant. This green hue is perfect for gifting a personalized ring to a special someone that still has an elegant look.
What Does an Emerald Symbolize?
Emerald jewelry's meaning includes strong feelings of love and new beginnings. The new beginning element to this gemstone is ideal to use for a proposal as you get ready to embark on the next chapter of your life by spending forever with the one you love deeply.
Durability Test: Is an Emerald Good for Everyday Wear? (Mohs Scale: 7.5-8)
While emeralds rank slightly lower on the Mohs scale compared to sapphires, they’re still high enough on the scale to withstand everyday use. Emeralds rank between 7.5 and 8 on the scale, which means they’re still highly resistant to chips and scratches.
Perfect Pairings: Which Gold Color Complements an Emerald?
Yellow gold is the best gold to use to complement an emerald since it creates a warm, rich feel, but that doesn’t mean white gold isn’t a perfect pairing. White gold makes the emerald look sleek and modern, which is perfect for a contemporary take.
Ruby: The Fiery Symbol of Passion and Power
There’s no better gemstone to give your special someone to show your love, devotion, and commitment to than with a ruby. The deep red color of the stone ties the piece beautifully to the occasion of your proposal in the form of high-quality jewelry they’ll cherish forever.
What Does a Ruby Symbolize?
This fiery red gemstone symbolizes love and passion, which makes it perfect for an engagement ring. Like emeralds, rubies are eye-catching for their deep hue that’s a perfect alternative to diamonds for a piece that’s unique and personal without skimping on beauty.
Durability Test: Is a Ruby Good for Everyday Wear? (Mohs Scale: 9)
Rubies are just as durable as sapphires since they also rank 9/10 on the Mohs scale. With this rating, rubies are safe to wear everyday since they won’t scratch easily.
Perfect Pairings: Which Gold Color Complements a Ruby?
Yellow and white gold both complement rubies with different effects. Choosing the right one comes down to preference. For a ring that feels classic and warm, you’ll want a ruby with a yellow gold band. For a ring that feels cooler and makes the red hue pop, you’ll want to go with a white gold band.
Quick Comparison: Sapphire vs. Emerald vs. Ruby at a Glance
|
Gemstone |
Symbol/Meaning |
Durability |
|
Sapphire |
Loyalty, faithfulness, nobility. |
Durable for everyday wear. 9/10 on Mohs scale. |
|
Emerald |
Love and new beginnings. |
Least durable out of the three, but still strong for everyday wear. 7.5-8/10 on Mohs scale. |
|
Ruby |
Love and passion. |
Durable for everyday wear. 9/10 on Mohs scale. |
How to Choose the Right Alternative Gemstone for You
It can be hard to choose an alternative engagement ring stone for you or a loved one, but these factors make it easier to find the right pick.
- Color: Each gemstone has its unique color from blue to green and red. Choose a color that best fits you or your loved one and is a shade they like.
- Meaning: Each colorful gemstone has its own meaning. Do you want a ring to show your burning passion for your loved one? Or a ring that symbolizes commitment and love?
- Durability: All of these gemstones are durable for everyday use, but emeralds rate the lowest. Choose a ring that’s high in durability so the stone stays protected from possible damage.
- Preference: Try to gauge your loved one’s color and style preferences if you don’t know them already. Then, choose a gemstone that best matches.
- Budget: Also consider your budget but be prepared to spend a little more than you originally planned for. However, you should stay close to your allotted amount and pick a ring that fits.