Diamond-Substitute Gemstones for Engagement Rings

When we say engagement, the first thing that comes to our mind is a diamond ring. No matter what metal it is studded on, yellow gold, white gold, or platinum; engagement rings are always meant to be made of diamonds or a diamond (solitaire). It is the only cliché thing known to people around the world, mostly because no woman can say no to diamonds! However, many other gemstones look as lovely as diamonds and can be used alternatively on an engagement ring. If you are someone who likes unique and elegant things and wants your engagement ring to be a little exclusive and elite, you need to check out these gems we are about to mention below, which can replace diamonds in your engagement ring. Each of these gems has got their own colour, quality, properties and beauty. Read on to explore all of them and pick an extraordinary stone for your engagement ring.

If you want a royal wedding, the first step would be to get this pretty purple stone on your engagement ring. Nothing says royal the way shiny purple stones do. The amethyst gemstone is mostly found in a raw state, but it can look fabulous in fine jewellery when well-cut. With a Mohs scale level of 7 (diamonds - 10), amethysts are very durable while being a fraction of diamonds' price. You can pair the lavender hue with silver or rose gold for a gorgeous, romantic ring setting or try other metal colours for something more unique.

Turquoise is becoming a trendy stone with leading jewellery brands using it across their collections instead of diamonds. It stays between 5 and 7 on the Mohs scale and is much durable. Its composition of copper and aluminium can display colours from a pure bright blue to a pale hue with flecks of metal. You can pick this stone if you want something different for your engagement ring. You can pair this gem with small diamonds in the setting for a luxe finish.

We all know sapphire as a typically blue precious stone, but they also come in other shades like peach, pink, yellow, green and white. Sapphires are the third hardest mineral with 9 on the Mohs scale, and so due to this property, they make the perfect substitute of diamonds. You can pick any of the colours you want, but if you want the same charm as a diamond, you can go for the white sapphires on your engagement ring. While an engagement ring with a white sapphire won't sparkle the same like a diamond, if it's well-cut, it can look almost as good, giving more bling for your price if you're looking for a larger gem.

Emeralds are well known for their distinct rich green tone and look stunning, luxe, and precious. These attributes make them a famous stone for engagement and wedding rings. While emeralds have a bit fallen out of style over recent years, they can look both chic and timeless when added to a modern setting. With a 7.5 to 8 rating on the Mohs scale, emeralds are pretty durable and can last forever as the gemstone on your engagement rings. You can pair them with white gold, platinum, yellow, and rose gold for a unique appeal.

Morganites are pink coloured gems with shiny texture. They are romantic, feminine and pretty, and perhaps one of the most popular choices for engagement or wedding rings nowadays. As a part of the beryl family, morganite is from the same family of stones as emeralds, ranging from 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale. The price of morganites can vary a lot, so it is useful to do your research and talk to your jewellery agent about the cut and quality of your stone before making any purchase. They can look beautiful on gold, platinum and other different hues.

Garnets are quite popular in the gem world as they come in all possible shades. However, when it comes to jewellery, we are partial to its deep red hue's romance. Often found in antique settings, garnet stones also look really appealing when paired with pearls or other coloured gemstones. At a 6.5 to 7.5 rating on the Mohs scale, garnets are not quite as tough as their ruby counterparts, but this is reflected in the price. They are still an attractive choice if you are up for a less expensive engagement ring.

If you are searching for something with the glamour and toughness of a diamond, a moissanite can be the gemstone for you without the high price tag. These beautiful clear stones (sometimes green or yellow) were first discovered 120 years ago and were mistaken as diamonds. At 9.5 rating on the Mohs scale, they are the second hardest mineral globally after diamonds, making them a more than adequate substitute when well-cut. You can wear them as single stones or pair them with a diamond halo for some added sparkle.

Tourmaline is a gem that often comes as a blend of two or three colours, but its green variety is increasingly popular for fine jewellery. At 7 to 7.5 rating on the Mohs scale, tourmaline is still quite hard. It comes with a cloudier look than an emerald, which is why scratches are not entirely noticeable. Tourmaline gem looks gorgeous in a bohemian or baroque style setting, especially mixed with different coloured gemstones. You can pair it with white gold and rose gold for a unique finish.

Topaz is a likely choice for engagement and wedding rings due to its dazzling collection of colours and luxe clarity. While they may vary in their mineral content, topaz gemstones tend to have a rating of 8 on the Mohs scale. A pure topaz gem is initially colourless, but the imperfections create the blue, orange, red, green and pink hues in the stone. This beautiful quirk makes Topaz a precious and sweet stone for your engagement ring!

Rubies are said to be one of the four precious stones (like emeralds and sapphires). This, along with their rich, luxurious blood-red tone, makes them a trendy choice for engagement rings. At 9 rating on the Mohs scale, rubies can last longer than other gems, and this is reflected in the cost though, with the finest rubies often pricing more than their diamond counterparts. If you're shopping for a ruby ring, look for the same four Cs as in diamonds (with a rich colour being the most crucial factor). However, also ask about the origin as the price differs accordingly – Burmese rubies tend to be the most expensive of them all.

Aquamarine is a beautiful pale blue semi-precious gemstone that is becoming a stylish choice for engagement rings. The beryl stone is quite durable at 7.5 to 8 rating on the Mohs scale, and as a family member of the emerald, it can appear mostly dazzling when well-cut. Aquamarines have a stunning clarity which makes them look expensive and luxe. The gem is also known to be a "lucky stone", the perfect charm to be on your engagement ring.

Also, you can explore our online gold coins collection if you wish to invest more in pure gold. And, don’t forget to verify the live gold price online before buying any gold item, be it jewellery or coins.