What Are the 10 Best Diamond Alternatives for Your Engagement Ring?
by Suzanne Sachs • 5 min read
THE BASICS --
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend – or are they? While diamonds are the undisputed top choice for engagement rings, there are actually many stunning diamond alternatives that ca be equally elegant, timeless, and personally meaningful for a bride-to-be. Thoughtfully choosing a different gemstone can make an engagement ring even more personalized and lovely for many happy anniversaries to come.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW--
In this guide, we will explain the following:
- Why a Diamond May Not be the Right Choice
- Top 10 Diamond Alternatives Perfect for Engagement Rings
- White Sapphire
- White Topaz
- Zircon
- Do You Crave the White Bridal Look?
- Opal
- Moonstone
- Pearl
- Do You want a Bold Pop of Color?
- Ruby
- Sapphire
- Emerald
- No Gem At All
- The Special Moment You Want To Create
Why a Diamond May Not Be the Right Choice
There is no denying that diamonds are beautiful jewels, sparkling with the passionate fire of romance and commitment with a sense of eternal endurance. But diamonds aren’t always the best choice for an engagement ring. Some brides-to-be simply prefer a more unique gemstone, while a good quality diamond may be outside the budget for some couples. For a second (or more) marriage, a bride-to-be may not want a diamond, particularly if it could have less-than-romantic connections to a previous relationship.
Whatever the reason, there are many lovely choices for diamond alternatives ideal for an engagement ring, no matter what the individual style or preferences the ring will represent.
Top 10 Diamond Alternatives Perfect for Engagement Rings
For couples who still like the classic look of a colorless stone but prefer not to have a diamond, there are several other white gems that can be beautifully faceted to showcase similar sparkle and brilliance. While these stones aren’t exactly the same as diamonds, a good quality gemstone can be nearly as brilliant. Furthermore, choosing one of these diamond alternatives can be a great way to increase the carat size of the stone for a better budget, without losing the timeless look of that clear, faceted gem.
White sapphire is a durable, clear gemstone made of corundum with a subtle sparkle and high hardness, often used as a diamond substitute. White topaz and zircon are softer; topaz has a glassier luster and is less brilliant, while zircon (not cubic zirconia) has strong fire and brilliance but is more fragile.
1. White Sapphire
2. White Topaz
3. Zircon
Do You Crave the White Bridal Look?
For the bride-to-be who craves that white “bridal” look but does not want a diamond, other lovely white gems can be perfect options. These smooth stones are luxuriously elegant and add rich luster to the ring, along with hints of color that add even more depth to their appearance. Side accents of faceted stones can bring a bit of sparkle to the setting if desired.
4. Opal
5. Moonstone
6. Pearl
Do You Want a Bold Pop of Color?
For a bold pop of color, colored gemstones are increasingly popular for engagement rings. There are only four truly precious gemstones in the world, with diamond being the first, but the other three are equally stunning choices.
7. Ruby
8. Sapphire
9. Emerald
My own engagement ring, offered to me 30 years ago, was a pair of rubies in a double heart setting (what do you know, I was a trendsetter before gemstone engagement rings were a trend!). Many gorgeous celebrity engagement rings have featured these brilliantly colored precious jewels, including the ruby ring of Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, the sapphire ring of Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, and the emerald ring of award-winning actress Halle Berry.
Of course, many other gemstones – while they may not have the official “precious” designation – can be glorious choices as diamond alternative for your engagement ring.
Birthstones, for example, can be very symbolic and meaningful choices, either to represent the birth month of the bride or groom, the month they met or first expressed their love for one another, the month of the proposal, or the month of the upcoming wedding. With a toi-et-moi design or other multi-gem ring, multiple birthstones could create a very colorful engagement ring layered with hidden meaning.
There are colored gems available in a rainbow of shades, and choosing a favorite color is another way to personalize an engagement ring. Love purple? Consider amethyst or the purple-blue of tanzanite. Do you prefer light blue? Aquamarine is a lovely watery shade. What about yellow? Citrine and topaz have many different shades of yellow. Love light green? The brilliance of peridot can be perfect.
Finally, one of the very best diamond engagement ring alternatives is the easiest and most widespread to find.
10. No Gem At All
There is no hard-and-fast rule when it comes to engagement rings, and it isn’t required that this very special ring has any gemstone at all. In fact, a plain ring – perhaps a claddagh or metal knot design, or just a simple band – can be a very practical choice for many couples, and can be a very economical one as well.
The Special Moment You Want to Create
Ultimately, the choice of engagement ring design is a personal one. The couple will know what the ring means, what it promises, and how it will lead to their future together. Choosing a diamond alternative is a creative way to personalize the style and make it
even more meaningful as the happy years pass.
Suzanne Sachs
Suzanne has always believed vintage rings can change lives. She's been in the jewelry industry for over 35 years, working with vintage jewelers, diamond dealers, diamond cutters, and gemologists. Suzanne started Artdecodiamonds in 2000 and understood the demand for vintage rings throughout the world. She ultimately started VintageDiamondRing.com in 2014, and understands each vintage ring is a reflection of you — your history, your relationships, your style, your elegance and is honored to have the opportunity to help you showcase your flair in a unique and exquisite way.
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