ALTERNATIVE STONES
We totally get it: not everyone wants a diamond! And there are many other stones that we love and recommend. See below for a list of stones that we love seeing in engagement rings (and others that while beautiful, don't make the best stones for everyday wear).
SAPPHIRES
Most people don’t know that sapphires are available in a vast array of colors. Traditionally showcased in a deep, brilliant blue, sapphires can also be found in white, pink, light blue, teal and purple. In addition, this durable gemstone is almost as hard as a diamond on the Mohs hardness scale and can hold up to everyday wear and tear. Montana happens to be a large source of sapphires in the U.S.
A note on heat treatment of sapphires: Heat treatment is an extremely common practice with sapphires. While an unheated sapphire can sometimes be considered more valuable, the majority of sapphires in the marketplace have been heat-treated. This is done to improve a sapphire’s color and improve clarity.
RUBIES
We also love rubies. They are incredibly durable and an excellent choice for engagement rings. The most precious rubies are vibrant red in color to slightly purplish red in color.
EMERALDS
Emeralds can go either way in our book. On the one hand, are a lovely gem—the green is unparalleled. However, while emeralds are harder than other stones that are not always ideal for an engagement ring, as they are more prone to chipping than rubies and sapphires. It is rare to find an emerald that does not have inclusions and surface-reaching fractures that can be seen with the naked eye. If you are set on an emerald, we suggest extra caution while wearing your piece to protect the stone against any damage!
STONES WE LOVE (BUT NOT FOR ENGAGEMENT RINGS)
OPALS
They’re stunning gems (we adore them) but opals are incredibly sensitive. They can discolor when exposed to water or common chemicals—thus making them a less than optimal choice for daily wear.
MOONSTONE
Moonstone is only rated as a 6.0 to 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. This rating means the gem is soft and can be easily scratched in everyday life. Additionally, moonstone is considered fragile because it is a feldspar (mineral) with internal fissures.
TANZANITE
This gem is incredibly beautiful—with incredibly vibrant color. But, it’s also low on the Mohs hardness scale, making it soft and easily vulnerable to the wear and tear of daily life. We suggest if you want the color blue found in tanzanite to look toward sapphire instead.