Nowadays, there are many alternatives to the diamond in engagement rings. Although this stone is traditionally used as the central element in that jewel, for all that it represents. Every day there are more and more young couples choosing an engagement ring that does not have a central diamond stone. So now it is betting on colored stones as protagonists when it comes to declaring love.
In short, the aim is to differentiate and give color to love, which does not mean that a greater investment should be made. Since also there are some gems cheaper and allow to experiment more with the design. Discover below some interesting proposals of precious colored stones that you can also choose as alternatives to the diamond.
7 Diamond Alternatives in Engagement Rings
1. Sapphire
Generally, blue jewelry and especially sapphires are a growing trend when it comes to alternatives to diamond engagement rings. And the Duchess of Cambridge could be responsible, and the reason is because she is the owner of one of the most famous engagement rings in the world. An iconic blue sapphire ring that belonged to Princess Diana and now belongs to her.
Sapphire is a highly coveted and admired stone since ancient times. It is important to know that blue sapphires are the most popular and in demand. Even, what many don’t know is that we can also find them in a great variety of colors that cover almost all the colors of the rainbow, including black and white.
In fact, they have an exceptional characteristic which is their durability, whose value is 9 on the Mohs hardness scale. This after the diamond makes it one of the hardest gemstones on the planet. But it also makes it perfect for everyday use and ideal for resisting wear and tear.
It is recommended to combine blue sapphire with other gemstones and white gold for an elegant princess style. Or use pink or yellow gold to play with compositions and achieve a striking contrast.
2. Ruby
Rubies are one of the most valued and search colored gemstones in jewelry. This is due to its red color “pigeon blood”. An extremely rare variety that can reach exorbitant prices. It also stands out for its great hardness, of 9 on the Mohs scale.
In essence, rubies and sapphires are identical in every way except for their color, so that’s the reason why they are known as red sapphires. This is because both stones are a variation of the same mineral called corundum. In addition, it should be added that rubies do not contain cleavage, therefore, their tendency to break or splinter is very low. They are an excellent option for active hands.
Another point in its favor is that this stone represents love, passion and success. This provides the perfect symbolism for an engagement ring and the beginning of a relationship.
3. Emerald
These beautiful stones belong to the beryl family, but are better known in the jewelry world for their vibrant green color. Undoubtedly, a stone that enchants and that, with the correct setting and/or combined with other precious stones, makes them an extraordinary option. In addition, the emerald is the birthstone of May, which makes this gem an ideal choice for brides born during that month.
When buying an emerald, you have to take into account that, unlike other beryl gems, emeralds commonly have inclusions or defects. But in contrast to other stones they are not seen as negative features, but as a guarantee that the stone is natural. However, an emerald that has no inclusions visible to the naked eye can be considered perfect and incredibly rare, so it will have a higher price.
Another feature to consider is their hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, which apparently makes them quite durable. However, due to the inclusions it has, the resistance to breakage is low. So we must be very careful when wearing an emerald engagement ring. Among the famous celebrities who received emerald engagement rings, we can mention Jackie Kennedy and Halle Berry.
4. Amethyst
This is one of the most popular gemstones that exist, and the best known purple gem. Amethysts are another alternative to the diamond in engagement rings. This is a stone that was once only available to royalty. And it was also part of the cardinal gemstones, along with diamonds, sapphires, emeralds and rubies.
However, after large deposits of this stone were found, its value dropped considerably, making it accessible to all people. It is possible to get amethysts in all shades of purple, but in order not to go unnoticed it is best to choose one with an intense purple tone.
In terms of hardness, amethysts have a reasonable score of 7 on the Mohs scale, which makes them quite resistant to daily use. While not as hard as diamond, with proper care and protection, this stone can last a lifetime.
You can combine them with a white gold setting to bring out their brightness and color. But if you want to give it a unique and distinctive look, choose pink or yellow gold, as it is a color contradiction that makes amethyst stand out.
Regarding its meaning as the central stone of an engagement ring, amethyst symbolizes peace, courage and happiness, and represents protection and peace.
5. Tourmaline
This stone is known as the rainbow stone. And how can we not call it that, if it is a stone that comes in all colors under the sun. Fortunately, we will have many types of tourmaline to choose from. Although the most popular varieties are pink, red, green, watermelon (a variety of two-color tourmaline) and paraiba. Without a doubt, a versatile and exquisite gemstone for an engagement ring.
Regarding the durability, tourmaline has a hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale. Therefore, it cannot compete with diamond, but if maintained regularly, it can last a long time. Another common characteristic in tourmaline is the many inclusions, a detail to consider when buying these stones. But, in the varieties of red and pink tourmaline, their presence does not really reduce the value of the gems.
The recommendation is to choose a color that goes well with your style and preference. Although you can give free rein to your creativity, because tourmaline looks just as beautiful in any kind of environment and metallic color.
6. Citrine
The name of this stone comes from the French word citron which means lemon, due to its beautiful citrus tones between yellow and lemon. In addition, it has 7 points in the Mohs hardness scale, a characteristic that makes it quite resistant and therefore it can be used daily. However, in case the stone is damaged, we will also have the advantage that we can replace it without representing a big investment. Since citrine is very affordable.
When buying citrine gems, you should make sure that the stone is well carved, since this is the best way to enhance its shine. Although it is worth mentioning that the citrines in the market are mostly clean and free of visible impurities.
A citrine engagement ring is simple but distinctive, evoking elegance and modernity. Citrine, on the other hand, symbolizes positivity, happiness and joy, qualities that define a perfect relationship.
7. Garnet
Garnets come in every color we can imagine, but their most popular variety and the one that can steal any girl’s heart is the dark red garnet. Considered as Beautiful, feminine and romantic, garnets are usually clean gems that exhibit high levels of clarity and transparency. But the best thing is that they are affordable stones and can be found in jewelry of all shapes and sizes.
The only disadvantage compared to diamonds is their hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. This means that it is not very hard and therefore, should not be exposed to sudden shocks and requires some care. Although with proper maintenance and care, garnet engagement rings can accompany you throughout your life.
A detail to consider is that, due to their resemblance to rubies, many people usually confuse them, but garnets are less expensive. In addition, it is a stone of great significance, symbolizing loyalty, fidelity and perseverance, characteristics of a relationship that is for a lifetime.
As you can see, jewelry is a universe in itself, so we should not limit ourselves to a single gem to wear on engagement rings. Luckily we have hundreds to choose from and each one more beautiful than the other.
ALFA