What Stones Can I use as an Engagement Ring?
Choosing an engagement ring is a deeply personal journey, and while diamonds have long been the traditional choice, there's a world of stunning gemstones waiting to tell your unique love story. From vibrant colours to symbolic meanings, the options are as diverse as the love you and your partner share. Let's embark on a journey to discover the gemstones that you can use in your engagement ring.
Sapphires — A Spectrum of Elegance
Sapphires, with their rich hues ranging from deep blues to vibrant pinks and yellows, offer a captivating alternative to traditional diamonds. Known for their durability, these gems symbolise wisdom and nobility, making them a timeless choice for an engagement ring that stands the test of time.
A sapphire looks beautiful on it's own as a solitaire and depending on the colour you opt for, the colour gold you choose to set your stone in may change. A blue sapphire tends to look best in a white gold setting, whereas a yellow sapphire looks perfectly at home in the warm tone of yellow gold. Our team at Morgan & Co will help guide you with colour matching your chosen gemstone to gold colour.
If you are looking for more of a statement with your sapphire engagement ring, you can choose a halo design for your oval or round cut sapphire — just like Princess Dianna's stunning engagement ring.
You can book your free consultation with our design team to discuss sapphire engagement ring options and view a range of sapphire stones.
Emeralds — Symbol of Evergreen Love
Emeralds, with their lush green brilliance, embody the essence of nature and renewal. Emerald gemstones are known as a symbol of rebirth and love, an emerald engagement ring is a bold and distinctive choice that exudes sophistication and regality.
Green emeralds are one of our favourite gemstones here at Morgan & Co and we personally love a green emerald set in an east to west setting, or with white diamonds to add some extra sparkle.
Rubies — Passionate Red Elegance
Radiating with a passionate red glow, rubies are a symbol of love, vitality, and courage. Choosing a ruby for your engagement ring not only adds a pop of colour but also expresses the fiery intensity of your commitment.
View our stunning custom made ruby engagement ring — The Laurel Ring — this ring is made in rose gold with lab grown diamonds and an oval ruby as the centre stone. It's a truly unique and statement piece.
Morganite — Soft and Serene Pink
If you're drawn to soft, romantic hues, morganite is an exquisite choice. With its gentle peachy-pink tones, morganite symbolises love and compassion, creating a delicate and charming presence on your engagement ring.
Aquamarine — Calm Waters of Commitment
The serene blue of aquamarine mirrors the calm waters of a lasting commitment. This gemstone is believed to bring harmony to relationships and is a stunning choice for those seeking a tranquil and meaningful engagement ring.
We are seeing a rise of popularity when it comes to aquamarine's as a chosen stone for an engagement ring lately. Aquamarines in a pear cut and set as a trilogy is a stunning choice for an engagement ring. Aquamarine's are a cool tone and often look best set in white gold.
Amethyst — Royal Purple Majesty
Amethyst, with its royal purple allure, adds a touch of majesty to your engagement ring. Symbolising peace and clarity, this gemstone is an enchanting option for those who appreciate its regal beauty.
Book your free consultation with our experienced team and meet in our stunning Buderim Jewellery Studio and begin your engagement journey with us.
The Mohs Scale
As you embark on the journey of choosing the perfect engagement ring, consider the myriad possibilities beyond diamonds. Each gemstone carries its unique charm, symbolism, and character, allowing you to select a ring that resonates with your personal style and the depth of your love. That being said, there are some important details to consider when choosing an alternate stone to a diamond for your engagement ring, such as the gemstones hardness. We will now delve into the Mohs scale.
What is the Mohs scale and why is it important when it comes to my engagement ring?
The Mohs scale of mineral hardness is a qualitative ordinal scale, from 1 to 10, characterising scratch resistance of minerals through the ability of harder material to scratch softer material. The scale was introduced in 1812 by the German geologist and mineralogist Friedrich Mohs. Certain gemstones are considered too soft for daily wear in a ring, as they may be prone to scratching, chipping, or other forms of damage. Gemstones with a lower hardness on the Mohs scale are generally more susceptible to wear and tear.
Hardest Stones on the Mohs Scale — Stones Recommended for Engagement Rings
Below we have listed the hardest gemstones on the Mohs scale, these are the stones we can source and recommend for an alternate gemstone to a diamond for your engagement ring. These gemstones will stand the test of time and can withstand daily use, water and the usual wear and tear that comes with wearing an engagement ring daily.
Moissanite (Hardness: 9.25 - 9.5) — Although slightly softer than diamond, a moissanite is still exceptionally hard and durable, making it an excellent alternative for diamond engagement rings.
Corundum (Hardness: 9) — Corundum includes two of the hardest gemstones: sapphires and rubies. These gemstones are prized not only for their hardness but also for their stunning colours.
Chrysoberyl (Hardness: 8.5 - 9) — Chrysoberyl, including the variety known as alexandrite, is a durable gemstone with high hardness and is known for its colour-changing properties.
Topaz (Hardness: 8) — Topaz is a popular gemstone with good hardness. While it comes in various colours, blue topaz is a well-known and widely used variety in jewellery, including engagement rings.
Spinel (Hardness: 8) — Spinel is a durable gemstone available in a range of colours. It is often used as a substitute for other gemstones due to its hardness and brilliance.
It's important to note that while hardness is a crucial factor in evaluating a gemstone's durability, other factors such as toughness, cleavage, and brittleness also contribute to a gemstone's overall resistance to wear and damage. Additionally, the Mohs scale is a relative scale, meaning the difference in hardness between adjacent minerals may not be consistent throughout the scale.
Stones we Don't Recommend for an Engagement Ring
Pearl (Hardness: 2.5 - 4.5) — Pearls are organic gemstones formed within mollusks. They are relatively soft and can be easily scratched. While pearls are often used in jewellery, they are more commonly set in earrings, necklaces, or brooches rather than rings.
Turquoise (Hardness: 5 - 6) — Turquoise is a porous gemstone that can be affected by chemicals, sunlight, and contact with other substances. Its moderate hardness makes it less suitable for daily ring wear and it's not a gemstone we would recommend as an engagement ring.
Moonstone (Hardness: 6 - 6.5) — Moonstone is admired for its adularescence, a unique play-of-light effect. However, its relatively low hardness makes it vulnerable to scratches, especially given its cleavage properties.
When choosing a gemstone for a ring intended for daily wear, such as engagement ring, it's advisable to opt for harder stones with a Mohs hardness of 7 or higher, such as diamonds, sapphires, rubies, or spinels. Harder gemstones are more resistant to the wear and tear associated with everyday activities.
Conclusion
Exploring alternative stones for an engagement ring opens up a world of possibilities, allowing couples to embrace unique styles and meaningful choices beyond the traditional diamond. The diverse array of gemstones available, such as sapphires, emeralds, and morganites, offers a spectrum of colors, symbolism, and individuality. Whether it's the regal allure of a sapphire, the vibrant green of an emerald, or the soft blush of a morganite, each alternative stone carries its own distinctive charm.
Choosing an alternative gemstone for an engagement ring is a reflection of personal taste, values, and the desire for a one-of-a-kind symbol of love. These stones not only provide aesthetic beauty but also convey deeper meanings and stories. Moreover, the rising popularity of alternative stones aligns with the growing emphasis on ethical sourcing and sustainability within the jewelry industry.
Ultimately, the journey to find the perfect engagement ring is as unique as the love it represents. By considering alternative stones, couples can create a piece of jewellery that not only captures the essence of their relationship but also stands out as a distinctive and meaningful expression of commitment. Whether driven by colour preferences, symbolism, or a desire to tread a different path, alternative stones offer a refreshing and personalised approach to the timeless tradition of engagement rings and our team at Morgan & Co can't wait to take you on your engagement ring journey and design your forever ring.
Book your free consultation with our bespoke team in our intimate Buderim Studio here.
