If you have made it this far you are well aware that diamonds are not the only precious stones in existence and not everyone has the dream of being proposed to with a diamond engagement ring. Diamonds are beautiful and judged on their clarity and colorlessness, a metaphor for perfection if you will. There are so many types of gemstones that are judged by the opposite; meaning by their saturation of color or other surface imperfections.
If you are feeling like a diamond ring may not be the path for you, there are plenty of gemstone options you can look into. If there is already a gemstone that you are thinking of, inquire whether it would be available in your design. If you only know that you don’t want a diamond and want to see what is out there let’s start with some sentimental ways of picking a gemstone for the ring.
Birthstones
Each month has a special stone associated with it. Maybe you want to remember the month that you are proposing? Or the time you had your first date? Or maybe your own birthstone so that you will always be with your partner on their finger. Using a special time or event is a good way to pick a gemstone from the chart that can be featured in your ring!
Durable Options
If you are looking for durable and beautiful gemstones that can easily be featured as the center of an engagement ring there are some timeless options that are good to know about. Sapphires, Rubies and topaz are amazing alternative stone choices for a gorgeous ring. These three stones are great options not only because of their sparkle, color and elegance but also because of their durability. Rubies, Sapphires and Topaz all range from 8-9 on the Mohs scale of hardness making them a great choice for an everlasting heirloom. What’s fun about gemstones is that they come in a range of hues and saturations as well as different cuts. You can really play with color, shape and placement when designing a gemstone ring.
Alternative Options
Tourmaline and Tanzanite are sturdy stones with gorgeous color and great value. They have been used in fine jewelry for years and currently many people find them a perfect choice for the center stone of their engagement ring.
After learning about only a few of the options available aside from the age-old diamond engagement ring you should feel calmer about continuing your search for the perfect stone. Regardless of what you choose, know that every gemstone is unique and beautiful and you are sure to find the right gem for you!
