Diamonds have long been the first choice when it comes to engagement rings, with the stone being a symbol of everlasting love and commitment. However, many other gemstones offer a shining alternative, each with its own captivating beauty. These alternative precious stones not only cater to different personalities and styles, but often boast a surprising level of durability, ensuring your engagement ring withstands the test of time.
Here are some non-diamond alternative engagement rings we recommend here at Argyle Jewellers, and how to choose.
Before You Choose,Consider The Mohs Hardness Scale
When choosing non diamond engagement rings, durability becomes a very important consideration, since an engagement ring is typically worn all day every day and therefore needs to be tough enough to endure knocks and scratches. To help identify a suitable gemstone for your engagement ring, it’s a good idea to consider the Mohs scale – a mineralogical scale ranging from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest – including the coveted diamond). The Mohs scale provides a valuable tool for assessing a gemstone’s resistance to scratches and abrasions, and therefore how suitable it is for an engagement ring.
Sapphire (9 Mohs) And Ruby (9 Mohs)
Sapphire is an excellent decision for an engagement ring, not only due to its beauty and possible range of colours, but also because it is incredibly hard and durable. This makes sapphire an excellent choice for everyday wear. Similarly, ruby shares the same hardness as sapphire, thanks to the pair belonging to the same mineral family (corundum), making ruby another excellent choice for non diamond engagement rings.
Sapphire And Diamond Ring by Argyle Jewellers
Emerald (7.5 – 8 Mohs)
While slightly less hard than sapphire and ruby, emeralds are still surprisingly durable with proper care and a beautiful choice. They are composed of the mineral beryl with trace amounts of chromium or sometimes vanadium, which gives emerald its beautiful green hue.
Emerald And Diamond Ring by Argyle Jewellers
Morganite (7.5 Mohs)
Morganite is a pink to orange-pink variety of the mineral beryl, and has been growing in popularity as an alternative to diamond engagement rings since 2010. This delicate-looking gemstone is surprisingly resilient, and ideal for careful everyday wear.
Morganite And Diamond Ring by Argyle Jewellers
Tanzanite (6.5 – 7 Mohs)
While requiring a touch more care, tanzanite’s captivating beauty makes it a viable option for those who appreciate its unique allure. If you tend to work a lot with your hands, it may not be a suitable option, but this gemstone – found only in Tanzania, hence the name – is a unique option for non diamond engagement rings.
Tanzanite And Diamond Ring by Argyle Jewellers
Aquamarine (7.5 – 8 Mohs)
This calming blue gemstone offers good durability for everyday wear with a touch of caution, being harder than the aforementioned tanzanite but still within a similar colour range.
Aquamarine And Diamond Ring by Argyle Jewellers
Finding Your Perfect Gemstone Match
With a vast array of stunning gemstones available, choosing the right alternative for your engagement ring ultimately comes down to personal preference. If your partner hasn’t explicitly stated what stone they would like in their engagement ring, you can consider your partner’s personality, favourite colours, and lifestyle. Here are some additional factors to keep in mind.
Setting
It’s best to discuss setting options with a jeweller to best compliment your chosen gemstone’s hardness and brilliance. Settings can make a great difference when it comes to keeping your gemstone secure, too.
Care
Learn about the specific care requirements of your chosen gemstone to ensure it retains its brilliance for years to come. For example, it may be necessary to remove rings before taking showers, washing dishes and so on, in order to prevent any cloudiness appearing.
Lifestyle
If your partner has an active lifestyle, it’s best to consider a gemstone with a higher Mohs hardness rating, since the engagement ring may be more susceptible to knocks and snags. Stones such as tanzanite, while beautiful, may be too soft for someone who works with their hands all day, for example.
Ultimately, the most important aspect of your engagement ring is the love it represents. Whether you choose a dazzling diamond or a captivating alternative gemstone, the true brilliance lies in the story it tells. At Argyle Jewellers, we pride ourselves on our collection of gemstone engagement rings, as well as custom designs that really allow your chosen stone to shine.