When you picture and engagement ring, your mind likely imagines a diamond ring. Even though most believe that an engagement ring has to feature a diamond, non-diamond engagement rings are becoming a trendier alternative. Whether you want a pop of color or simply want something different, a colored gemstone is an excellent option for a unique engagement ring.
Diamonds have been considered the standard for engagement rings not only because of their beauty, but their durability as well. They are the Earth’s hardest natural substance. If you’re looking into a non-diamond engagement ring, you’ll want to be sure that it will withstand everyday wear. Some gemstones are better center stones because of their hardness, which makes them a better choice for engagement rings.
Diamond Alternatives for Engagement Rings
Sapphire
Sapphire is the next most recommended stone after diamonds for engagement rings. The sapphire rates a 9 out of 10 on Moh’s Scale of Hardness; the only gem harder than sapphire is diamond. Sapphire is a symbol of both wisdom and royalty and has been worn by the most elite for centuries; it even was once the preferred gemstone for wedding rings. Sapphires can come in a variety of colors like yellow, pink, red, and even black, however they’re most known for their distinct deep blue hues. Most often, sapphires are set in platinum or white gold settings with smaller diamonds surrounding the center stone. One of the most famous sapphires was worn by Princess Diana, and was given to Katherine when Prince William proposed with his mother’s 12-carat sapphire ring.
Morganite
The light pink hues of morganite have made this stone an alluring alternative for modern brides. Morganite is fairly high on the Moh’s Scale with a rating between 7.5-8. This precious stone is commonly set in rose gold and can also be accented with smaller diamonds. Morganite is the perfect stone for the bride-to-be who has a girlish style and wants to reflect that.
Aquamarine
The water-like light blue hues of Aquamarine make this stone a colorful but elegant choice for a diamond alternative engagement ring. Aquamarine rates equal to Morganite on Moh’s scale, also with a 7.5-8. Aquamarines, like sapphires, are usually set in white gold or platinum with accenting smaller surrounding diamonds. Prince Harry followed in his brother’s footsteps and proposed to Meghan Markle with a different piece of his mother’s jewelry – a stunning 30-carat emerald cut aquamarine ring.
Lab-Grown Diamond
If you want to keep the classic look of diamonds but are looking for an alternative that’s eco-friendlier, lab-grown diamonds are a great alternative. They’re chemically, physically, and visually identical to traditional mined diamonds, however they are significantly cheaper per-carat and come without any moral reservations. Lab-grown diamonds have the same rating of 10 as mined diamonds on the Moh’s Scale. There’s a large variety of lab-grown diamond engagement rings and the stone is just as versatile as mined diamonds when it comes to what you want your engagement ring to look like.
Diamond Alternative Engagement Rings in San Diego
Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers has a vast collection of gemstone rings and lab-grown diamonds. Our sales team is eager to help you find the perfect engagement ring! Visit our showroom on San Diego Avenue today to view our collection.
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