You’ve hit the jackpot if you’re looking for an engagement ring that doesn’t conform to the standard and truly resonates with your unique love story. Regarding engagement rings, the first thing everyone thinks about is diamonds. But in fact, there are a lot of alternatives to diamonds that are similar to them. Let’s take a look at some gorgeous and unique engagement rings stones.
Moissanite: The Starry Sparkler
This gemstone was discovered in a meteor crater and is said to carry the same enchanting sparkle as the stars in the night sky. It’s truly a mesmerizing gem that never fails to captivate all who lay their eyes on it. When it comes to choosing a stone for an engagement ring, durability matters. Moissanite scores a 9.25 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making it one of the hardest substances on Earth, second only to diamonds. This resilience means it’s not just a symbol of enduring love but also a practical choice for everyday wear.
But what sets Moissanite apart is its fiery brilliance. It has more fire and sparkle than diamonds, catching the eye with its mesmerizing play of colors. For those who dream of a love as endless as the cosmos, Moissanite is your perfect choice of unique engagement rings stones.
Price for a moissanite engagement ring
One of the most attractive features of Moissanite is its cost. While it offers a look and durability close to that of diamonds, it doesn’t carry the same hefty price tag. For example, a 1-carat Moissanite ring might cost anywhere from $300 to $1,000, while larger stones (over 2 carats) set in high-quality metals like platinum could go well above $2,000.
When considering a Moissanite engagement ring, it’s advisable to shop around and compare prices from different jewelers. Many jewelers offer a range of Moissanite options, and online retailers often have competitive pricing and a wide selection.
Emerald: The Green Beauty
Emeralds are known for their breathtaking green color, which can range from a light, almost ethereal green to a deep, intense forest hue. This color is so unique and sought after that the term “emerald green” is often used to describe the most vibrant and beautiful shades of green imaginable. Beyond their beauty, emeralds are imbued with deep symbolism. They’re often associated with rebirth, renewal, and growth, making them a perfect emblem for new beginnings. This makes an emerald engagement ring not just a declaration of love but also a symbol of a couple’s future growth and life together.
Emeralds, while beautiful, require a bit of extra care to maintain their brilliance. They rank between 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale of hardness, which means they’re quite durable but still susceptible to scratches and damage if not treated with care. Avoid exposing emeralds to harsh chemicals and extreme temperature changes, and opt for gentle cleaning methods. A soft, damp cloth or a mild soap solution can be used to clean the stone without risking damage.
Price for an emerald engagement ring
On average, you can find emerald engagement rings starting from a few hundred dollars for smaller, lower-quality stones set in simple gold or silver bands. Mid-range emeralds with good color and clarity in a gold setting might cost between $1,000 to $5,000. High-quality emeralds in exquisite settings or with additional diamonds can easily reach $10,000 or more, with particularly rare and large stones going well into the tens of thousands of dollars.
Sapphires are super popular because they come in that gorgeous royal blue color, but they can also be pink, yellow, and even white. These are often referred to as “fancy sapphires.” The only color you won’t find a sapphire in is red, as red sapphires are classified as rubies. This variety allows for personalization and uniqueness when choosing a sapphire for an engagement ring.
The royal blue sapphire is the most sought-after for its intense, velvety blue color. This shade of sapphire is often associated with depth and stability, mirroring the depths of the ocean and the vastness of the sky. Sapphires are second only to diamonds in hardness, making them an excellent choice for jewelry that’s worn every day. However, they still require care to maintain their brilliance. We recommend regular clean with mild soap and water. It’s also a good idea to visit a jeweler annually to check for any damage to the setting or gemstone. If you are considering buying a sapphire engagement ring, consider the color and cut that best reflect the wearer’s style and personality. A well-chosen sapphire can be a timeless centerpiece of an engagement ring, symbolizing not just love but also a connection to the grandeur and mystique of ancient traditions and the natural world.
The stunning blue sapphire engagement ring worn by the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton was initially chosen by Princess Diana as her engagement ring before her passing in 1997. This exquisite piece features a 12-carat oval-shaped blue sapphire at its center, encircled by 14 solitaire diamonds.
Price for a sapphire engagement ring
For smaller sapphires (under 1 carat) or those with less desirable colors or clarity, prices can start from a few hundred dollars ($300 – $800) for the stone alone. A good quality sapphire of 1 to 2 carats, set in a simple gold or platinum setting, might cost between $1,000 and $4,000.
Morganite: The Pink Dream
Morganite has this amazing soft pink or peach color that looks incredible, especially when paired with rose gold. It’s not as expensive as some other gems, which is great for staying on budget. Morganite stands for love and compassion, making it perfect for a ring that symbolizes your relationship.
This gemstone belongs to the beryl family, which is characterized by its durability, making morganite suitable for everyday wear. With a Mohs hardness rating of 7.5 to 8, it strikes a balance between beauty and resilience. It’s recommended to clean morganite jewelry with warm soapy water and a soft brush, avoiding harsh chemicals and ultrasonic cleaners that can damage the stone. It’s also wise to remove morganite jewelry during activities that could expose it to hard knocks or scratches.
Morganite is often associated with love, compassion, and promise, making it a popular choice for engagement rings and other romantic jewelry. Its gentle pink hue is said to represent warmth, healing, and nurturing qualities, resonating with the heart chakra.
Morganite has seen a surge in popularity, particularly for engagement rings, due to its unique color, affordability, and durability. It pairs beautifully with a variety of metals, including rose gold, which enhances its warm tones, as well as white gold and platinum for a more contemporary look. Morganite’s versatility extends beyond rings to earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, making it a gemstone that complements any style.
Diamonds might be famously known as a girl’s best friend, but Brock Honey Davies proposed to Shay Scheana with a stunning engagement ring with 12.74-carat cushion-cut fancy pink morganite as its central gem. The rarity and beauty of the morganite are enhanced by the 14-karat white gold band, which is elegantly embellished with twelve diamonds, adding to the ring’s allure and brilliance.
Price for a morganite engagement ring
The price of morganite can vary widely based on the factors mentioned above. For a general idea, loose morganite gemstones can range from as little as $100 for smaller, less vivid stones to over $300 per carat for high-quality specimens with strong color saturation and clarity. Morganite engagement rings, depending on the setting and the presence of additional diamonds or gemstones, can range from around $500 to several thousand dollars.
Aquamarine: The Calm Blue
Aquamarine is all about that serene, calm blue color that reminds you of the ocean. It’s said to bring peace and happiness to your marriage, which is a lovely thought. Aquamarine rings have a clear, light vibe that’s perfect for someone who loves a more understated, elegant look.
Aquamarine belongs to the beryl family, which also includes emeralds. However, unlike its green cousin, aquamarine is known for its clarity and fewer inclusions, which contributes to its transparent, water-like appearance. The gem’s color can range from a very light blue to a more intense blue-green, influenced by traces of iron. Its hardness on the Mohs scale is 7.5 to 8, making it durable enough for everyday wear but still requiring care to maintain its beautiful shine.
When choosing an aquamarine, color is key. The most prized aquamarines exhibit a deep, vivid blue reminiscent of tropical seas. The cut of the gemstone also plays a crucial role in showcasing its beauty and color; well-cut aquamarines will display a brilliant sparkle and maximize the stone’s blue hues. Additionally, when choosing aquamarine for an engagement ring, consider the setting. White gold or platinum can enhance the gemstone’s cool tones, while yellow gold offers a warm contrast that highlights the stone’s unique color.
Price for an aquamarine engagement ring
For a good quality aquamarine, prices can range from $100 to $250 per carat for stones less than 5 carats. Larger stones with exceptional color and clarity can command prices well over $1000 per carat. However, smaller stones and those with lighter colors or more inclusions can be much more affordable, making aquamarine a versatile choice for various budgets.
Garnet: The Colorful Protector
Garnets might be known for their deep red color, but they come in a bunch of different shades, which is super fun if you’re looking for something unique. They symbolize protection, making a garnet ring a sweet way to say you’ll always look out for each other.
While the classic deep red garnet is the most recognized, garnets can dazzle in a spectrum of colors, including green, orange, pink, and even some shades that are almost black. Each color variant of garnet has its unique properties and symbolism, making it a versatile choice for jewelry that can match any style or preference.
Garnet is often called “The Colorful Protector” because of its long-standing association with protection. Ancient warriors believed garnets could shield them in battle, while travelers carried garnets to guard against accidents far from home. They represent passion, enduring relationships, and the ability to weather the storms of life together. When it comes to everyday wear, garnets are fairly durable, ranking around 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. This makes them suitable for rings, earrings, necklaces, and other types of jewelry that might see in daily use.
Price for a garnet engagement ring
The most affordable garnets are the common red varieties, such as Almandine and Pyrope. These can range from as low as $20 to $30 per carat for smaller or lower-quality stones, and up to a few hundred dollars per carat for larger, high-quality specimens. Green garnets can be much more expensive. Prices for Tsavorite garnets start at about $200 per carat for small stones with good color and clarity and can go up to $2,000 per carat or more for larger, top-quality stones. Demantoid garnets, especially those without any inclusions that resemble horsetails, can fetch even higher prices.
Garnets like Spessartine (orange garnet), Rhodolite (pink to purple garnet), and others can also vary widely in price, often ranging from $50 to $400 per carat depending on their quality and size.
Conclusions
Choosing your engagement ring is a deeply personal decision, one that reflects not just your style, but your story together. Each of these gems, from the cosmic sparkle of Moissanite to the serene hues of Aquamarine, offers a unique way to symbolize your love and commitment. Whether you’re drawn to the fiery brilliance of Garnet, the royal elegance of Sapphire, the lush vibrancy of Emerald, or the romantic whisper of Morganite, there’s a stone out there that captures the essence of your relationship.
