Brides & Weddings Magazine
Not every bride is the same, so why should their engagement rings be? In fact, you may even find that your hopeful bride-to-be doesn’t even like diamonds. Diamonds aren’t mandatory in engagement rings or wedding bands as the featured gem. There are so many stunning gemstones out there that limiting yourself to just the diamond could be a disservice to your one-of-a-kind partner. If you want something a little bit more unique for your ring, here are some options that are quite gorgeous for you to consider.
Sapphires
There are a lot of reasons why you may want to consider a sapphire instead of a diamond. First of all, it’s almost as hard as a diamond, ranking just behind this more popular gem on the Mohs scale. And there are so many different color variations that you can buy — sapphires may be most famous for being blue, but they can also come in green, yellow, pink and white.
Amethyst
Amethysts are beautiful, purple gemstones that add flair to your engagement ring. They’re another durable gem that can be worn on a daily basis without issues. They’re not quite as durable as a sapphire or diamond, but they’ll stand the test of time with some extra care.
Emeralds
With the gorgeous deep-green color found in an emerald stone, this is a timeless gem that offers a stylish and luxurious touch to your ring. These may not be as popular as they once were, but you can get something that’ll really create a magical piece, especially when used with a modern setting.
Garnet
Garnets are great for a few reasons. The color is unique and gorgeous, which makes it stand out against a ruby. Another is because they’re inexpensive and look richer than they are. If your bride loves the vintage look, this is the gem you should be looking at.
Ruby
Speaking of rubies, these are also a great option. If you place a larger ruby with some accent diamonds, you are going to create a great ring. Rubies have the same hardness and properties as sapphire, so this gem will last a lifetime.
Onyx
Onyx is a gorgeous gemstone that most commonly comes in black, though there are other varieties that you can enjoy. If you want something that’s modern and unique but very chic, the onyx could be an excellent choice.
Moissanite
Cubic zirconia and other diamonds get a bad rap, in part because they’re easily dulled and scratched and won’t stay perpetually shiny like a real diamond. Enter moissanite, a crystal that naturally occurs in meteorites, is nearly as hard, dense and scuff-resistant as a diamond and has greater brilliance and fire.
Man-Made Diamonds
Man-made diamonds are physically and chemically identical to natural diamonds. White diamonds that have been grown in a laboratory typically cost 15-20 percent less than comparable natural diamonds, and colored, lab-made diamonds can be a whopping 80 or 90 percent cheaper than their mined equivalents. The fact that mined diamonds are literally millions (and sometimes billions) of years old is certainly romantic, but it’s wrong to call a lab-grown diamond “fake.”
