While they have been the go-to gemstones for engagement rings for a long time, experts now believe that diamonds are pretty worthless in the long run. Some reasons supporting this statement are that diamonds lose 50% value as soon as they are bought, they lack intrinsic value, are not rare, and their value is marked up, among others.
Diamonds became the most popular gemstone only during the last century, thanks to advertising and the hype. Before that, Ruby and Sapphire were the most popular gemstones, especially when it came to engagement rings. This is because ruby and sapphire have higher per-carat gem values than diamonds.
This is the reason behind celebrities like Jessica Simpson, Katy Perry, and Eva Longoria opting for ruby as their preferred gemstones for engagement rings. If you’re also looking at a diamond alternative for your ring, here are the top 6 options.
Ruby
Pure ruby is so rare that there is no trade data available for the same. The ruby that’s most commonly found in the jeweler’s trade are Burmese rubies, and even those are rarer and more expensive than diamonds. Rubies are classic and bold simultaneously, and they symbolize love the best because of their deep hue of red.
Rubies come in varying shades from deep pink to red, which gives it an attractive contrast when paired with white or yellow metals like gold and platinum. What makes ruby even more suitable for daily wear is its durability, as they erode at a slower rate than diamonds. You can choose from a variety of ruby rings that are available; make sure to look for a deeper red shade and that the gem is clean to the eye.
Sapphire
After rubies, sapphire is the next best alternative to diamonds. Just like ruby, sapphire is one of the hardest gemstones available and is ideal for day-to-day wear. Sapphire is generally known as a blue gemstone, but many colors and quality variations are available.
Experts suggest buying sapphire from reliable sources because, unlike the diamond industry, the colored gemstones market is not as regulated. Take into account the crystal of the stone before making a purchase. Crystal refers to the stone’s ability to pass light at the molecular level, which means how much sparkle it has.
Aquamarine
Aquamarine has recently gained popularity thanks to its subtle hue and sophistication. The light blue aquamarine stones are a refreshing choice for engagement rings, making you stand out from the crowd and become an excellent family heirloom.
This gemstone belongs to the same family of emeralds and has a hardness rating of 7.5-8, which means diamonds and sapphires would easily scratch them. Thus it’s recommended to store them separately from your other jewelry and polish the stone every few years. The best option for those looking at aquamarine would be a natural and untreated stone since it has more sparkle.
Emerald
Emeralds have always been a classic choice, thanks to their stunning green color. One of the reasons emeralds are popular is because they are treated and are available in various shapes, which can be bespoke to fit any vision of the ring you may have.
Emeralds have a hardness rating of 7.5 on the Mohs scale, which means they also require separate storage and maintenance over the years. When shopping for emeralds, look for stones with high transparency and a gorgeous deep green shade.
Morganite
Morganite is another alternative to diamonds, which many prefer because of its beautiful, feminine pink shade. The stone almost resembles the luxury pink diamond and, for that reason, is preferred by many. The subtle and elegant color of the stone makes it easy on the eyes and ideal daily wear.
Morganite belongs to the exact gemstone family as aquamarine and shares its traits with the light blue stone. This means that Morganits also has a rating of 7.5 on the Mohs scale and requires care and attention in storage and upkeep.
Amethyst
After pink, purple is one of the most preferred feminine hues. It’s for this very reason that Amethyst could be a perfect unconventional bride-to-be. Moreover, amethyst is a lot more pocket-friendly than diamond, which means you can get a reasonably big stone without spending a bomb on it.
However, amethyst is one of the most fragile gemstones, with a hardness rating of just 7 on the Mohs scale. That is why amethyst is not recommended for daily wear as it is prone to get damaged.
These are some of the prettiest gemstones that can put even the biggest of diamonds to shame. If you’re looking to disregard colorless stones entirely and add some color to your engagement ring, these can be the best alternatives.
Photo by Emma Bauso
