Tired of traditional engagement rings? While crystal clear gemstones such as diamonds and white sapphires are popular engagement ring options, why not change things a little by opting for colored stones? A beautiful colored gemstone can amplify the appearance of your engagement ring and make it stand out in a crowd.
However, it’s important not to choose a gemstone based solely on its appearance. There are other factors that you must consider, such as its clarity, durability, and hardness. After all, this ring will be on your finger for a long time.
Here is a list of colored gemstones that make gorgeous engagement rings. Not only are these stones aesthetically magnificent but they can last an eternity.
Colored Diamonds
Add a twist to traditional diamond rings by choosing a colored diamond. Diamonds are one of the most popular choices for engagement rings and for good reason. With a hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale, this pricey gemstone is one of the most durable and scratch-resistant gemstones. When it comes to quality, there’s hardly any mineral that comes even close to diamonds.
With extraordinary dispersion and brilliance, this stone can turn white light into gorgeous flashes of color. Some of the most popular choices include sparkling pink, coal-black, champagne, and of course, canary yellow. However, pink diamonds rank amongst the most expensive, making them a great choice for engagement rings.
Sapphires
Sapphires are known as the gemstone of royalty. Not only were sapphires a popular choice for rings and other jewelry, but they still remain a noteworthy selection among celebrities and royalty. In fact, the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton adorned a beautiful sapphire engagement ring that once belonged to Princess Diana.
Even though sapphires are mostly associated with the color blue, they come in almost every hue except red. One of the most special features of colored sapphires is that they show two different colors, depending on the angle they are viewed from. Moreover, certain rare sapphires also change color, depending on the light source. Sapphires rank quite high amongst the hardest gemstones with a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, making them an excellent and classy choice for engagement rings.
Emeralds
Known as the ‘jewel of kings,’ emeralds are found in gorgeous greens, ranging from light to deep and dark shades. With a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale, this precious gemstone is quite scratch-resistant but still requires special care. Apart from its stunning colors, it’s the fractures and inclusions of this stone that make every emerald unique and noteworthy. Even though these inclusions may impact its clarity and durability, this stone doesn’t shy away from the limelight.
Choosing the perfect emerald stone for an engagement ring requires some extra effort. However, their stunning color and rarity make them a particularly prized and special gemstone for a ring.
Rubies
When set in an engagement ring, a ruby gemstone will surely make a statement! Ruby is the coveted red variety of corundum, with the other colors of corundum being considered sapphires. While rubies have the same durability and hardness as that sapphire, they tend to receive more enhancements and treatments than the typical sapphire gemstone.
One of the most popular ruby choices is the ‘pigeon blood red’ ruby that has a faint purplish red with vivid saturation and a medium-dark tone. Rubies are a great choice for engagement rings due to their rarity, durability, and their association with love. Ruby as a centerpiece surrounded by diamonds will make a fitting choice for a one-of-a-kind engagement ring.
Amethysts
Amethysts are a popular and less pricey alternative to diamonds, making them a great choice for engagement rings. Amethyst gemstones are a beautiful variety of quartz found in shades of purple, ranging from lavender to a deep and dark purple. Although amethysts have a hardness of 7, which isn’t as hard in comparison to other stones, these gems have no cleavage panes, making them hard to break or scratch.
Whether you choose light lavender or dark purple, all the shades of the amethyst stone are a fitting choice for any jewelry pierces, especially engagement rings. Even though many believe that the symbolic association of this gem to calming passions seems like an odd choice for engagement rings, the fact is that this stone perfectly represents a more deep and enduring commitment.
Tourmalines
The tourmaline gemstone has an entire family of gems with various species in different colors. A popular tourmaline choice is the watermelon tourmaline that displays two or three zones of different colors. Just like quartz, this gemstone has a hardness of 7 and is free from any cleavages, making it a durable choice for engagement rings.
Green tourmalines are the most easily available and affordable of the tourmaline varieties, while Paraiba tourmalines are the rarest and expensive kind of tourmalines. Other tourmaline varieties include rubellite and indicolite tourmalines.
One of the most special aspects of tourmalines is their vitreous luster that makes their surface appear as glass when it’s hit by light. Also, while certain tourmaline varieties change color under distinct light sources, others display a cat’s eye optical effect. Either way, the tourmaline stone with its gorgeous luster will give you an engagement ring you will cherish for the years to come.
Citrines
Citrine is another gem that has become a popular option for engagement rings. With colors ranging from light yellow to golden, this stone truly looks regal. One of the most expensive varieties of citrines includes the Madeira citrines, which have a rich, orange collar, with hints of red. Like the quartz varieties, citrines also have a hardness of 7 and are durable stones for rings.
Whether it’s a colored diamond, sapphire, quartz, or citrine, colored stones not only look great but are an attractive alternative for an engagement ring.