Diamond engagement rings are a hallmark of modern wedding proposals. After all, diamonds last forever, and that’s how long we want our marriages to last. Many times, diamond rings are even passed down through generations as an heirloom—which is a great testament to a diamond’s durability. However, diamonds are far from the only gem that can be set in an engagement ring. Here are ten of the top gems you can use as a diamond alternative in your engagement ring.
Moissanite Ring
Since it was discovered more than 120 years ago, moissanite has fascinated gemologists and jewelers. While it is often referred to as a diamond substitute, there are some important distinctions that you should understand before choosing it.
All of the moissanite found in jewelry today is made synthetically. In fact, naturally occurring moissanite gemstones are so small that they cannot be used in jewelry—the largest moissanite stone ever found had a maximum dimension of only 4.1mm. So despite natural moissanite being rarer than diamonds, you can only buy synthetic moissanite rings.
Moissanite has a 9.5 rating on the Mohs scale, making it nearly as hard as a diamond and suitable for taking on everyday wear and tear.
Moissanite is also known as one of the shiniest gemstones on the market. The stone has a higher refractive index than a diamond and more light dispersion, so both the white and colored lights will bounce around more than an actual diamond.
While the price of a diamond increases exponentially as the carat size increases, moissanite does not. While smaller moissanite and diamond gemstones might be around the same price, once you reach 1 carat, a diamond can cost 3x more than the average moissanite stone of the same size.
Aquamarine Ring
As you can imagine, aquamarine got its name due to the stone’s color reflecting that of the sea. Aquamarine can be a good diamond alternative for a variety of different reasons. If the recipient of the ring loves the color blue or the sea, then this gemstone might be a good choice if they are open to something other than the traditional diamond centerpiece.
Aquamarine rings come in many different shades ranging from blue to blue-green, and they can come in various different intensities. Generally speaking, an aquamarine gemstone with a lighter shade of blue or blue-green will have a price tag that is lower than gemstones with a darker blue color.
The clarity of the stone is also very important when determining the price. A gemstone that is clear blue with no inoculations or imperfections is going to be more expensive.
Aside from the lower cost-per-carat and stunning color, aquamarine’s durability also makes it a worthy choice for an engagement ring. The stone is rated at 7.5-8 on Mohs hardness scale. Since household dust is only a 7, it won’t get scratched by dust in the air. So you’ll have a stunning-looking stone for years to come.
Emerald Ring
Emeralds are an intriguing diamond alternative for engagement rings. Their hallmark green color and hexagonal shape make them stand out among other gemstones on the market. But unlike the two previously discussed gemstones, emerald rings can be more difficult to shop for.
Emeralds are one of the rarest naturally occurring gemstones on Earth and are even rarer than diamonds. Due to their rarity, they can cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars per carat to several hundred thousand dollars per carat—depending on the stone’s quality.
Dark green emeralds are the most sought-after and have the highest price, but you can find good quality emeralds in nearly every shade of green imaginable. Most emeralds also have imperfections, so keep that in mind when shopping for one.
To compensate for any fractures in the gemstone, most emeralds go through an oiling process. More affordable emeralds will be moderate to thoroughly oiled.
And while emeralds score a 7.5-8 on the Mohs hardness scale—making them less susceptible to scratching—the oil used on most emeralds makes them susceptible to heat. So it’s important to keep emeralds out of extreme temperatures.
Morganite Ring
If you’re looking for a beautiful pink diamond alternative, then morganite should be at the top of your list. This gemstone derives from the mineral “beryl,” which means it actually comes from the same family as both aquamarine and emerald. And it has recently become a very popular gemstone choice due to its color and brilliance.
Like aquamarine, high-quality morganite can be found in relatively large quantities (unlike a diamond). So a 1ct high-quality morganite stone will only cost a few hundred dollars. And unlike a diamond, the cost does not scale exponentially at larger weights.
Like the other beryl stones mentioned, morganite rates a 7.5-8 on the Moh’s hardness scale, making them resistant to scratching from household dust. However, the stone can be high maintenance and should be properly cared for and cleaned daily.
While nothing sparkles quite as nicely as a brilliant-cut diamond, morganite rings do reflect light very well and have a brilliant sparkle to them. So long as you’re looking for a pink-colored gemstone, then morganite is a great choice for your engagement ring.
Ruby Ring
If you’re a fan of morganite but would prefer a stone with a deeper or more regal color, a ruby might be perfect for your engagement ring. From the Kings and Queens of England to the Czars of Russia, rubies have long been a mainstay of royalty. They’re a unique diamond alternative that doesn’t exactly follow the traditional rules of gemstone quality.
Much like an emerald, a ruby’s color is a key factor in determining its cost. The most expensive rubies will have a deep and intense color, but it won’t be so dark that you can’t tell what color it is. That being said, while certain hues may impact how much a ruby will cost, the most valuable hue of ruby is the one you like the most.
The carat size will also play a major role in the cost of a ruby. Since larger rubies are rare, they will naturally cost more than smaller rubies.
As for durability, rubies are among the toughest gemstones on the market. On the Mohs scale, rubies—which are a form of corundum— are rated just below diamonds at a 9.
If you’re looking for a diamond alternative for your engagement ring and want a stone that has a regal look and will stand the test of time, a ruby ring will make for an excellent choice.
Sapphire Ring
When you think of a sapphire, a blue gem is probably the first thing that comes to mind. And while blue is certainly among the most popular colors of sapphire, it is far from the only color. In fact, any gem-quality corundum that isn’t red is a sapphire. So when choosing a sapphire as a diamond alternative for your engagement ring, you can find the stone in a wide range of hues from green and black to yellow and orange to even pink and white.
While you can choose from just about any color imaginable, if you want a stone that still offers that classic diamond appearance, then a white sapphire might be your best choice. With that being said, a white sapphire cannot and will not exude the same level of brilliance or fire as a diamond. Instead, a white sapphire has a beautiful white glow that is very easy on the eyes.
Since sapphires are a form of corundum, it also has a hardness rating of 9. So you shouldn’t be afraid of scratching it with everyday wear and tear. So if you’re looking for a durable gemstone that offers a lot of colorful options, a sapphire ring will make an excellent choice.
Amethyst Ring
Amethyst is easily one of the most popular purple gemstones on the market. It’s a variety of quartz and is also the birthstone for the month of February. It’s also one of the most abundant gemstones available, which makes it more affordable than every other gemstone mentioned so far. You can find a very high-quality amethyst centerpiece for your engagement ring for as low as $40 per carat! This leaves you a lot of budgets to use on a beautiful setting and any accent stones your heart desires.
The most important thing to remember if you choose amethyst as your diamond alternative is that it is a less hardy stone. With a Mohs hardness rating of 7, it can be scratched by dust particles and can be damaged when rubbed against harder stones or materials. If you choose amethyst, you’ll need to take special care of it to ensure it keeps its beauty long-term.
Opal Ring
Opals are a very unique gem that can make for a very interesting choice for a diamond alternative. High-quality opals are very beautiful and can glimmer in even poor lighting conditions. While low-quality opals are abundant, precious opals are quite rare, making them rather expensive.
Unlike a diamond which is valued by its brilliance, opals are judged by their “play of color.” Without going into great scientific details, different minerals within an opal determine how the light reflects back. In precious opals, the minerals are structured in layers, and light refraction will display a kaleidoscope of colors. There are also different species of opal, so be sure to compare the different types to find your favorite.
On Moh’s scale, Opals can receive a rating between 5 and 6.5, depending on their composition. This can make them vulnerable to scratching, so you should take care whenever wearing one.
Topaz Ring
Topaz is another diamond alternative that offers engagement ring shoppers a variety of different colors. Like several of the aforementioned gemstones, the price of a topaz is highly dependent on its color. Hues like yellow, pink, and blue can be more expensive, while hues of white and incandescent topaz are more common and, therefore less expensive.
If you choose white topaz to try and replicate the look of a diamond, I have some bad news for you. They simply won’t be able to compete. While white topaz is a beautiful stone, they have a much lower refractive index, so the stone will not be able to replicate the brilliance of a diamond.
And while topaz is rated an 8 on the Moh’s scale, it will scratch far more easily than a diamond. If you’re on a smaller budget and want a larger stone, white topaz can be a great choice. But if you’re looking for a stone with a unique color, a topaz ring can be a great choice!
Garnet Ring
Garnet is actually a fairly large family of gemstones that each have their own unique color characteristics. We could dedicate an entire article to various types of garnets available, but for the purposes of this article, just know that the types of garnet found in most jewelry are some hue of red.
Instead of comparing garnet to diamonds, garnet is actually best compared to rubies. Garnet gemstones only get between 6.5 and 7.5 on Moh’s hardness scale. Meaning they’re more susceptible to scratching than a ruby (9 on the Moh’s scale). And your average garnet gem will be a deeper red than your average ruby.
Despite this, a high-quality garnet is still a rare gem that can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per carat. If you love the look of ruby but need a more budget-friendly option, then a garnet ring can be a great diamond alternative for your engagement ring.
Additional Things To Consider
When you’re shopping for an engagement ring, there are a lot of things to consider. From the setting to the centerpiece to the accents, there are many different options to choose from. If the recipient of the engagement ring wants something other than the traditional choice of a diamond ring, then many of the gems listed here would make suitable diamond alternatives.
But before you go and pick a gemstone for your engagement ring, the most important thing you can do is ensure that you understand what the recipient wants. If you can find a way to get this information out of your loved one without ruining the surprise, that’s even better.
One more factor to consider, throughout this article, we’ve referred to the Moh’s hardness scale when discussing gemstones. Please know that this scale measures hardness relative to other minerals and is not an indicator of absolute hardness. Corundum (9) is actually twice as hard as topaz (8), and diamond (10) is actually four times harder than corundum. The scale isn’t exactly uniform and should not be used as a guide for absolute hardness or durability.
