Diamonds are possibly the most sought-after stones in the entire world. Their roles in modern society as symbols of love, marriage, and wealth have deemed them powerful, ritual, and traditional. However, not all brides want a diamond ring.
As this trend has become more popular, jewelers have begun to make engagement rings without diamonds by swapping the traditional stone for a gemstone.
If you’re interested in learning more about the perfect gemstone engagement ring for your bride, follow along! We have compiled a perfect list of diamond alternatives.
Origins of Diamond Engagement Rings
Diamond is traditionally used as a symbol of love during weddings and engagements because of it’s beautiful symmetry. This symmetry is caused by perfectly arranged and compact carbon atoms, which also make diamond the hardest substance in the world. Because of this, diamond is thought to be the perfect symbol of eternal love, power, and strength. In fact, the name diamond comes from the Greek word ‘adamas’, which translates to “unconquerable”.
If you prefer to transmit a different message through your engagement right, don’t fret! There are other gemstones out there that can get you that “yes!” from your bride to be.
Gemstone Alternatives
1. Ruby
If you’re a history buff couple, love the color red, or have an incredibly special partner you want to surprise, treat them to a ruby engagement ring. For thousands of years, this stone was the epitome of power and royalty, serving as a talisman in numerous cultures.
Its name is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘ratnaraj’, meaning “king of precious stones”. If your queen deserves a king, this is their magical ring.
Rubies are a nine out of ten on the Mohs scale of hardness, second only to diamond, so if your lady is a bit on the clumsy side the ruby will survive. When shopping for this gemstone, look for a rich red color, a perfect cut, and the largest carat weight you can afford.
Don’t forget to ask for the origin of the stone as well, as Burmese rubies tend to be the most expensive. Click here to learn more about the cut and quality of gemstones, as well as how they can be enhanced and treated.
2. Sapphire
Sapphire is the sister gemstone of the ruby, both belong to the conundrum family. Like the ruby, it scores a nine on the Mohs scale, so it’s basically scratch resistant.
Unlike the ruby, sapphires come in a variety of different colors, including peach, pink, yellow, green, white, and the most popular, blue. In fact, the word sapphire comes from the Latin word for ‘blue’.
For centuries, sapphires were symbols of faithfulness, truth, sincerity, and nobility. They were worn around the streets of ancient Rome and Greece as citizens aimed to protect themselves from harm’s way and promote peace.
If this is the message you’d like to convey with your act of love, one of faithfulness and honesty, this is the perfect gemstone for your bride. At a third of the cost of diamond, it is also incredibly economical!
3. Emerald
Anyone can identify this stone by its beautiful, rich green color. Emeralds were once the prized possessions of Cleopatra, King Solomon, Aristotle, and Aztec kings. They have been a symbol of power since antiquity and have been mined since 330 BC.
If rubies are not your thing but you still want to honor a strong, powerful woman, an emerald engagement ring could be perfect for her.
Although emerald engagement rings are out of style, the stone can easily be placed on a more modern setting making a beautiful piece of art. They are chic, timeless, and totally different!
4. Opal
Although other stones can be found in different colors, like sapphires, opals are the only stones in the world that can contain the entire rainbow within them. They are incredibly magical to look at. Thousands have been mesmerized by the way the stone reflects light in both fiery and mystical ways.
Opals are so ethereal that legend has it Mark Antony offered to trade one-third of his empire for a single opal which he coveted as a gift for Cleopatra. Napoleon also gave his lady the special gift of the opal, this time a stunning red opal dubbed “The Burning of Troy”. If you want to make a gesture as magical and special as these, the opal is the perfect stone for you.
When buying opal rings, keep in mind they come in different base colors like black, white, blue, red, and yellow. Lightning Ridge black opal is the most special and coveted type of opal. Its reflection is the brightest and most colorful of all the opals.
5. Amethyst
When well cut, amethyst can look stunning on jewelry. Recently, couples have been opting for amethyst engagement rings due to their beautiful lavender hue and lower price tag.
Throughout history, amethysts have symbolized all things pure, like control, sobriety, intelligence, and protection. When shopping for amethyst rings, look for rose gold settings.
They make perfect pairings and are guaranteed to complement your beautiful bride.
Wrapping Up
An engagement ring does not need to be traditional or the same as everyone else’s. Customizing your engagement ring, from the setting to the gemstone, can make it even more special for your lifelong partner.
You can choose to transmit a variety of different emotions through different stones, from power to faithfulness to magic, so finding the right one is very important. It can also make the moment more special as you explain to your partner why you chose the perfect gemstone to signify your love.
If you loved this list and would like to read more, don’t hesitate to check us out! We have lists for everything you can think of, from proposal ideas to honeymoon destinations.
