Whereas diamonds are nonetheless the most well-liked gemstone utilized in engagement rings, lately, different gems and moral diamond alternate options have develop into more and more wanted!
In sensible colours and gorgeous cuts, coloured gems provide a component of distinction to basic engagement ring settings. Gem stones like sapphires, emeralds, and rubies have been prized since antiquity and may make for a surprising assertion. Nonetheless, if you happen to love the look of a diamond however are deterred by elements similar to worth level, gems like moissanite and white sapphire are wonderful diamond substitutes that characteristic their very own distinctive properties.
There aren’t any guidelines on the subject of deciding on a gemstone to your engagement ring. What issues is that you simply and your accomplice like it! Find out about a few of our favourite diamond alternate options under.
What’s a Diamond Various?
A diamond different is just any gemstone an individual would possibly select as an alternative of a diamond for an engagement ring or different advantageous jewellery. Whereas individuals could sometimes consider diamond simulants – stones that should mimic the looks of diamonds – like cubic zirconia once they consider alternate options to diamonds, there’s a complete world of lovely gems we’d advocate as alternate options to diamonds for many who are on the lookout for one thing distinctive.
What Stones are Akin to a Diamond?
Moissanites or white sapphires are most akin to a diamond. Whereas there are seen variations, these gems will look the closest to a diamond whereas providing a extra reasonably priced worth. These stones are additionally excessive on the Mohs scale of relative hardness, making them appropriate for on a regular basis put on.
What’s the Greatest Various to a Diamond?
-
All-around finest diamond different
If you happen to select to go along with a non-diamond gemstone for an engagement ring, we advocate a moissanite or sapphire. These gems are nonetheless sturdy sufficient for on a regular basis put on and provide a wide range of shade choices, together with shiny white.
-
Most sensible diamond different
In order for you a diamond different however don’t wish to lose out on sparkle, moissanite can be your finest guess. Moissanite has a refractive index from 2.65 – 2.69, which is increased than a diamond. These stones exhibit a fiery, rainbow brilliance, making for superior sparkle.
-
Most cheap diamond different
Essentially the most cheap diamond alternate options can be softer gems like morganites, aquamarines, and amethysts. Whereas these gems are lovely, proceed with warning when including them to a chunk of jewellery that can expertise a whole lot of each day put on and tear like an engagement ring or wedding ceremony band. As a result of these gems usually are not as laborious as diamonds or another diamond alternate options, they’re barely extra susceptible to break over time. Gem stones like aquamarines and morganites may also uninteresting over time as a result of on a regular basis put on, family soaps and cleaners, make-up and lotion, and publicity to different components. Nonetheless, if you’re ready for the additional care and upkeep of those gems, they’re nonetheless attractive choices for a hoop.
Professionals of Diamond Options
- Your ring received’t be like anybody else’s! Significantly if you happen to select a gem with a novel or vibrant shade.
- Diamond alternate options are sometimes inexpensive than diamonds, making them an excellent selection for {couples} on a price range.
- Selecting a diamond different places you in good firm. Different gems like sapphires, rubies, and emeralds have lengthy been chosen by celebrities and royalty for his or her engagement rings as an alternative of diamonds. One of many most famous engagement rings of all time is a fantastic sapphire ring that has been worn by each Princess Diana and her daughter-in-law Kate Middleton.
Cons of Diamond Options
- No different gem can be as laborious or as sturdy as a diamond. Whereas sapphires and moissanites come shut, diamonds are the gems finest outfitted to final a lifetime.
- If you’re most occupied with a hoop with dazzling sparkle, it’s laborious to recreate a diamond’s brilliance with an alternate gemstone. Whereas different gems do sparkle, none of them could have the shimmer and brilliance of a diamond.
- Diamonds are uniquely suited to point out off their lovely readability and help all kinds of minimize kinds and inside faceting. If what you’re actually eager for is the look of a basic diamond ring, a diamond different will be unable to completely replicate the looks you need.
Standard Pure Diamond Options
1. Lab Grown Diamonds
Historical past
Lab diamond, or man-made diamonds, had been first efficiently manufactured by a Common Electrical chemist named Tracy Corridor within the Fifties, utilizing the small poor high quality diamonds they created for industrial functions. Because the mid-twentieth century, scientists have since made strides in lab diamonds’ high quality and accessibility. Previously decade, the craftsmanship of lab grown diamonds has dramatically improved, making them not solely appropriate for diamond jewellery but additionally visually indistinguishable from their pure counterparts. They’re graded on the identical 4Cs scale as mined diamonds.
About
It’s a little bit of a misnomer to name lab grown diamonds a “diamond different,” as a result of lab created diamonds are actual diamonds. Lab diamonds have the identical bodily, chemical, and optical properties as mined diamonds. These lovely diamond gems are grown in extremely managed laboratory environments utilizing advanced technological processes that duplicate the circumstances underneath which diamonds naturally develop once they kind within the mantle, beneath the Earth’s crust. To the bare eye, lab grown diamonds are absolutely identical to mined diamonds and, like mined diamonds, can be found in each shade grade, minimize, readability, and form – together with flawless white D colours. Lab diamonds can solely be distinguished from pure diamonds utilizing specialised tools that may detect the minor variations in hint components and crystal progress.
Worth Vary
As a result of these gems are lab made, they provide wonderful worth and are extra reasonably priced than pure diamonds of comparable measurement and high quality. If you need a fancy colored diamond or a diamond with a big carat weight, we’d extremely advocate wanting right into a lab created diamond!
Brilliance
Lab grown diamonds exhibit the identical brilliance as pure diamonds. Like a pure diamond, a lab diamond’s brilliance can be extremely impacted by its minimize grade. Lab grown diamonds can be found in each spherical and fancy shapes and can showcase the identical nuances in brilliance as these totally different shapes show. For instance, a lab spherical diamond could have extra sensible sparkle whereas an emerald lab diamond could have a reflective sparkle.
2. Moissanites
Photograph by @methdguez
Historical past
Moissanite was first found in 1893 by a French scientist named Henri Moissan, who later received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Initially, moissanites had been regarded as diamonds, however it was later decided that the crystals had been composed of silicon carbide.
About
At 9.5 on the Mohs scale, moissanites are the second hardest mineral on the earth behind diamonds. Moissanite rings look gorgeous on their very own in solitaire designs or alongside diamond accents. Study extra about moissanites vs. diamonds.
Worth Vary
Moissanite gems are probably the most reasonably priced diamond alternate options. Whereas traits like shade, form, and measurement can largely impression the worth level of moissanites, a 1 ct. or 6.5mm equal can vary from round $400 – $1,000.
Brilliance
Moissanite brilliance is likely one of the largest visible variations between these gems and diamonds. Attributable to their distinctive faceting sample, moissanites show a fiery, rainbow sparkle that may create a “disco ball” impact. This distinctive sparkle is why many gravitate to moissanites. Then again, this noticeable distinction in brilliance would possibly make them much less well-liked amongst some buyers. Moissanite has a better refractive index than a diamond, starting from 2.65 – 2.69.
3. Sapphires
Photograph by @lisarochellephotography for @simone_alexandra
Historical past
Till the 20th century, sapphires had been extra well-liked than diamonds as a featured gem in engagement rings. Usually regarded as royal blue, sapphires additionally seem in different hues similar to peach, pink, teal, yellow and white.
About
Except for their magnificence, a sapphire is a superb selection for an engagement ring as a result of they’re among the many world’s should sturdy naturally occurring components, coming in at 9 on the Mohs scale. The power helps them stand as much as the on a regular basis put on required of an engagement ring.
Worth Vary
As with all of the gems on this checklist, the worth of sapphires will rely upon their high quality, measurement, minimize, whether or not you’re selecting a naturally mined or lab created stone, and different distinctive traits. Nonetheless, sapphires are sometimes considerably inexpensive than comparably sized diamonds. An roughly 1 ct. sapphire will sometimes price between $750 to $3,500 relying on its traits and shade.
Brilliance
Their dazzling colours and lustrous magnificence make sapphires a wonderful diamond different for an engagement ring. A sapphire’s brilliance can be distinctive to every stone as each sapphire is customized minimize to show one of the best shade and brilliance for that particular person gem. Usually, a lighter shade sapphire can be minimize deeper so as to add dimension and depth to the colour, whereas a darker shade stone can be minimize shallower to permit extra gentle to mirror inside the sapphire.
4. Aquamarines
Photograph by @girlhoodscrapes
Historical past
Which means “water of the ocean”, aquamarine’s identify originated within the early 1700s, across the begin of the Georgian period. Aquamarine was as soon as known as the “Sailor’s Stone,” as a result of historic sailors believed that the stone would defend them from disasters at sea. Throughout World Warfare II the US Navy commissioned a coastal patrol yacht known as the USS Aquamarine, named in honor of the gemstone and its connection to the ocean.
About
Aquamarine is a fantastic pale blue semi-precious gemstone. These attractive gems are a part of the beryl household of minerals, which additionally contains emeralds. Aquamarine is mined in Brazil, all through Africa and Asia, and in Colorado, the place it’s the state gemstone. Additionally it is the birthstone for March. Though aquamarine and blue topaz may be mistaken for one another, aquamarine is extra beneficial as a result of its rarity and pure coloring, whereas blue topaz is produced by treating colorless topaz with radiation. Aquamarines have a rating of seven.5-8 on the hardness scale, which implies that they’re sturdy sufficient to be worn as jewellery however that it’s best to keep away from any tough put on which may scratch them.
Worth Vary
Aquamarines are amongst the extra reasonably priced semi-precious gems, with a 6.5mm, or 1 carat equal, aquamarine sometimes costing round $700. Colour depth can be a very powerful think about figuring out worth, as deep colours are thought of essentially the most beneficial.
Brilliance
Aquamarines are beloved for combining a fantastic shade of blue with distinctive readability, however these stones usually are not identified for having excessive brilliance or sparkle. Individuals who love aquamarines prize their comfortable blue shade and natural look in ring settings over one thing with extra brilliance.
5. Morganites
Photograph by @ashleevictoria11
Historical past
Morganites had been found in 1922 in Madagascar as a brand new type of pink beryl and was initially known as “rose beryl”. The gemologist George Frederick Kunz renamed it to “morganite” as a technique to honor his patron, American financier and philanthropist J.P. Morgan. Morgan, probably the most distinguished gem collectors of the early 1900s, donated many gems to the American Museum of Pure Historical past in New York Metropolis and to the Museum of Pure Historical past in Paris, so it’s solely becoming he has a gemstone named after him!
About
Blush-hued morganite seems lovely because the centerpiece of an engagement ring. Morganite is a pink to peach number of beryl. Different well-known sorts of beryl embrace emeralds and aquamarines. Like different sorts of beryl, morganite is taken into account a softer stone and ranks 7.5 to eight on the Mohs scale of hardness. Whereas that is sturdy sufficient for use for jewellery, it does imply this stone ought to be dealt with with care.
Worth Vary
Morganites are reasonably priced gems, making them a well-liked selection for these on the lookout for pink gems at a lower cost level. An roughly 1 carat morganite gemstone will sometimes price between $400 and $500.
Brilliance
Other than their lovely shade, they’re additionally treasured for his or her glowing readability and excessive diploma of brilliance. Morganite seems pretty when paired with rose gold as the 2 naturally complement one another’s heat undertones.
6. Emeralds
Photograph by @kaitlyn.chiu
Historical past
Valued all through historical past, emeralds are one of many rarest gems and make a fantastic selection for an engagement ring heart gemstone. Together with diamonds, rubies, pearls, and sapphires, emeralds have been probably the most prized valuable gems all through time. Emeralds are the gems of royalty and are essentially the most well-known and extremely prized of inexperienced gems. Legend has it that carrying emeralds can provide the capability to foresee the longer term and see the reality. It has additionally been believed that emerald has the facility to remedy illness and defend in opposition to evil.
About
Like aquamarines and morganites, emeralds are a wide range of beryl. Emeralds are shaped when iron, chromium, and vanadium are current in beryl. Extra iron will give a slight blue tint to emeralds, whereas the chromium and vanadium are what give emeralds their intense inexperienced shade.
Worth Vary
Top quality naturally mined emeralds may be valued and priced equally to diamonds with comparable specs. Nonetheless, it isn’t difficult to seek out a fantastic emerald gem inside a selected worth vary. Selecting a lab created emerald may also give you lower cost factors. An roughly 1 carat emerald will sometimes price between $1,000 and $3,000.
Brilliance
In contrast to diamonds, whose readability have to be evaluated utilizing a 10x magnification, emerald readability is graded with the bare eye as a result of their inclusions are extremely seen. Pure emeralds could have extra inclusions than lab created emeralds, however that’s not a foul factor! The hazy and cloudy look of pure emeralds is prized by many for its vintage and natural magnificence. Lab created emeralds are sometimes much more sensible and clearer than pure emeralds, if that may be a look you favor. Fewer inclusions additionally imply that lab emeralds are additionally barely extra sturdy than naturally mined emeralds.
7. Rubies
picture by @deenafloresphotography
Historical past
Rubies have been valued for his or her uncommon magnificence for 1000’s of years and are thought of one of many 4 authentic gems together with diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds. As a result of purple has lengthy been related to love and keenness, a ruby makes a becoming focus for an engagement ring. Their affiliation with royalty additionally makes ruby’s crimson purple shade look wonderful in vintage rings in addition to fashionable kinds that includes lustrous valuable metals.
About
Rubies are a wide range of corundum, similar to sapphires. Hint components of chromium within the crystal’s construction are what causes rubies’ purple shade that seems to virtually glow from inside. These lovely gems are ranked 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness, which makes them an excellent selection for jewellery that can be worn each day.
Worth Vary
Due to their magnificence and historical past, pure rubies may be one of many costliest coloured gems. Colour is essentially the most important issue that can have an effect on a ruby’s worth, adopted by readability, minimize high quality, and dimensions. An roughly 1 carat ruby will sometimes price between $1,200 and $1,500.
Brilliance
Rubies are sensible stones, however they’re prized extra for his or her shade and readability than for general sparkle. Due to their deep shade, gentle passing by way of will provide extra shimmer than reflective sparkle. As with emeralds, lab created rubies could have fewer inclusions and have extra reflective brilliance than pure rubies.
8. Amethyst
Photograph by @danielle.lambo
Historical past
Amethysts have been prized for hundreds of years, and archeologists have found amethyst jewellery dated as early as 2000 BC. This mystical stone can be related to many legends. For instance, some historic accounts declare that St. Valentine had an amethyst jewel carved with Cupid’s picture. Amethysts are one of many gems talked about in a number of occasions within the Bible, together with as a part of the well-known breastplate of the excessive priest Aaron. Greek and Roman mythology declare that amethysts had been shaped when a maiden named Amethyst was turned to white quartz by the goddess Diana when the woman was attempting to flee the drunken god of wine, Dionysus. In response to the legend, when Dionysus realized the results of his actions, he felt regret and spilled wine over the white stone staining it purple. Due to this, historic Greeks and Romans believed that carrying amethysts might defend in opposition to intoxication and preserve the wearer clear-headed and quick-witted. Due to its rarity, the colour purple has additionally lengthy been related to royalty and wealth.
About
Vibrant amethysts are available in colours starting from deep purple to the palest shades of pastel lavender and even pink. Essentially the most beneficial hue is a powerful reddish purple shade, however we love each shade of amethyst! Lavender hues look notably gorgeous in amethyst engagement rings when complemented by diamond accents. Amethysts have a hardness of seven on the Mohs scale, making it an enduring possibility for jewellery; however they’re additionally a stone that ought to be dealt with with care in settings that can get a whole lot of on a regular basis put on.
Worth Vary
Amethysts are probably the most reasonably priced gems and provides wonderful worth. An roughly 1 carat amethyst will normally price lower than $500, relying on its distinctive qualities and traits.
Brilliance
Most amethysts have wonderful readability, with no inclusions seen to the bare eye, and can be found in a wide range of cuts and carat weights.
Last Ideas
Which diamond different is your favourite? Do you like the look of coloured gemstone engagement rings? Tell us within the feedback under or on our Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter!
