We’ve long been told that diamonds are a girl’s best friend but when it comes to engagement rings– diamonds aren’t the only choice! In fact, the diamond engagement ring only leapt to popularity post-1980.
There are plenty of beautiful and classy alternatives to white diamonds and breaking away from the “tradition” can offer a more thoughtful and fitting piece for your loved one. Here are some of the best gem alternatives for your engagement ring.
Coloured Diamonds
Natural coloured diamonds such as pink, yellow and champagne are great alternatives if you want your engagement ring to have a pop of colour and really stand out. Using coloured diamonds to flank a white diamond stone means you can have the best of both worlds if you so please.
Tanzanite
This precious gem is 1000 times more rare than a diamond and its striking blue colour makes it a standout. Tanzanite has good durability and thanks to its striking blue colour it’s perfect for use as a centre stone or to add colour to the piece by flanking a diamond. While we would never deter you from having the stone that you love in your engagement ring, tanzanite does require a little more care as it isn’t as hard as other gemstones. This means that the ring should be removed during any rough activity and the stone should be taken to your jeweller twice a year for a clean and polish.
Sapphire
A very durable stone that is suitable for long term wear, the striking blue hue of the sapphire is very popular for brides to be. The blue sapphire shot to fame after Princess Diana wore an exquisite sapphire engagement ring that is now worn by Princess Kate Middleton. Sapphires are durable and will require a yearly clean by your jeweller. They are sourced in a rainbow of colours and can be a great option if you are looking for something unique!
Ruby
This deep, red stone represents passion and can be a romantic symbol of commitment. Ruby rings have heirloom appeal and their deep colour makes a statement. The ruby is a resilient stone but to preserve its shine it’s recommended that you don’t wear it while sleeping or during any rough activity like playing a sport.
Morganite
This is one of the most popular engagement ring alternatives at the moment. It’s a pink ‘species’ of the gemstone beryl and offers an elegant hue and sheen ranging from light, opaque to a deep pink.
