Recently, we had the honor of appearing on WDIV 4’s morning show Live In The D to talk about gemstone alternatives for engagement and wedding rings! This opportunity came just as the entire jewelry industry was standing in the shadow of Taylor Swift’s engagement to Travis Kelce. Swift’s sizable Old Mine Cut diamond — rumored to have set Kelce back somewhere between $500K and $1M! — had effectively broken the internet, and nowhere was this more true than in the jewelry space.
Ours was a short piece on a busy news day, so we weren’t able to go into too much detail on air. With that in mind, this article is intended to take you on a deeper dive into the world of custom wedding jewelry and engagement rings that incorporate alternative gemstones. We pride ourselves on crafting some of the best engagement rings in Ann Arbor, Michigan and beyond, and we love to expand beyond the standard diamond ring!
Don’t get us wrong: diamond engagement rings and wedding bands are beautiful and timeless. A five-figure, 8-10 carat stone surely isn’t in the cards for everyone, but more modest diamonds — both natural and lab-grown — are well within reach for many people.
Diamonds are the hardest and most durable stone on the market, which partially accounts for their popularity. It’s a timeless choice for engagement and wedding rings, with a long tradition behind it. In the hands of experienced, ethical diamond jewelry designers (like us!), you can even make a ring that is both beautiful and socially responsible. You can also save money and get something more unique at the same time by working with an “imperfect” diamond from a trusted vendor like Misfit Diamonds.
However, some folks simply don’t want a diamond engagement ring, and that’s also great! There are many reasons for this, be they aesthetic, budgetary, or other. If you want custom jewelry design with a unique alternative gemstone, many shops (again, like us!) will be delighted to help you make your perfect engagement or wedding ring.
Below, we touch on some of the most popular alternative gemstones for engagement and wedding rings, and what makes them a good (or less good) candidate for the job. The perfect wedding ring or engagement ring is in the eye of the beholder, but it helps to know some of the practical concerns that go along with this important choice!
SAPPHIRE
Sapphires are not the cheapest alternative to diamonds, but they are in many ways the most sensible. They’re still extremely durable (a 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, versus a diamond’s perfect 10), and they come in every color of the rainbow! Like diamonds, sapphires offer a huge range of options to celebrate your love.
RUBY
Rubies are basically sapphires with more chromium in the mix to give them that rich red color, so most of what we say above applies here! Rubies are often more costly than other corundum family gemstones, so this option can balloon your budget a bit. When you see them glimmering in the sunlight on your partner’s finger, though, you’ll know you got your money’s worth!
EMERALD
The green of an emerald is as distinctive and breathtaking as the red of a ruby, making them a popular choice for all kinds of jewelry, including engagement and wedding rings. That said, while emeralds are fairly hard at 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale, they can also be brittle and prone to cleaving on impact, making them risky for everyday wear.
TOPAZ
Topaz is due for a revival, and we don’t mind spearheading it! At an 8 on the Mohs scale, Topaz is durable, well-suited to everyday wear, reasonably priced, and it comes in a variety of colors. Its only major drawback is that it is heat-sensitive, meaning you don’t want to get it near an ultrasonic or steam cleaner. Instead, it can be cleaned with warm water, gentle dish detergent, and a soft brush or cloth.
PERIDOT
Peridot has been enjoying a bit of a renaissance of late, and with its unique yellow-green color, it’s not hard to see why! We love making peridot jewelry at our shop, but we also advise caution. Peridot is only moderately hard at 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale; it is also temperature-sensitive, thus limiting your cleaning and care options. This makes it an elegant choice for cocktail and fashion jewelry, but a bit of a liability for everyday wear. If it’s just the color you like, we advise looking for sapphires in the same color range!
GARNET
Garnet is a sleeper favorite around here! Like sapphires, garnets come in a wide variety of colors, and they’re considered a solid option for everyday wear. While not as hard as sapphires (they generally rate 6.5-7.5 on the Mohs scale), they are considered durable and easy to clean, on top of being pretty and eye-catching.
OPAL
We mention these in our TV appearance, and there’s no denying it: opals are GORGEOUS. They come in a variety of dazzling color combinations, and prices are somewhat moderate. However, if you plan to wear a ring every day, opal is probably not your ideal option. Opals are generally 5.5-6.5 on the Mohs scale, making them better suited to earrings, pendants, and cocktail rings than to an everyday piece.
We hope that this helps get you thinking about your best path forward for the perfect engagement ring, but remember: there’s a lot more to consider! Don’t hesitate to give us a call or shoot us an email with questions. Making the perfect engagement and wedding jewelry is one of our greatest joys!
Want to learn more about gemstones? Check out our ABCs of Jewelry Gemstones series!