2023 Alternatives to Diamond Engagement Rings
When it comes to expressing love and commitment, the traditional diamond engagement ring has long held the spotlight. And while we love a classic diamond ring, we equally love that more couples are venturing out and shopping for diamond ring alternatives! If you and your partner are searching for a unique and eco-friendly engagement ring, you've come to the right place! At Anueva Jewelry, we specialize in creating handmade jewelry with an array of different gemstones. Come explore some of earth's natural treasures with us as we share our three favorite nature-grown gemstones to star in your engagement ring.
Sapphires
Overall rating: Excellent
Ideal for: Mermaids and Mountaineers
Mohs Hardness: 9
Variety in Color & Shape: Excellent
We are proud to be well-known for our stunning sapphire selection! These earthy gemstones are a fantastic alternative to diamonds because they are available in many colors and very durable. We source traditional and rare cuts and colors of sapphires from all over the world, paying extra care to where and how they're sourced.
Not that long ago, sapphires in greenish hues were not "in demand" in the jewelry marketplace. But they were desirable to us! We have always adored sapphires of all cuts and colors and are proud to be an early pioneer of sapphire engagement rings. Now, the mindset is shifted completely, and many people are eager to get their hands on a specific color. Thanks to the exceptional color spectrum of sapphires, they have become an easy fan-favorite! These remarkable gems can also be found in an array of captivating colors, including blue, yellow, green, brown, purple, pink and even rare and coveted shades like Padparadscha—a delicate blend of pink and orange.
Many of our customers aim to seek out a colored sapphire that has a special significance to their love story. Perhaps they want to match the stone to the deep teal water of their engagement spot, or a light blue of their partner's eyes. We find it so special to help couples create a dream ring that carries such sentimental value. Head over to our ready-to-ship section and browse our ample selection or available rings. Or, get creative, and dream up your perfect ring with our "Build Your Own" option!
Rubies
Overall Rating: Great
Ideal for: July Birthdays, Vintage-Lovers & Fiery Stone Seekers
Mohs Hardness: 9
Variety in Color & Shape: Fair
Next up on our list are rubies! These fiery stones are rich with symbolism and are, in our opinion, a classic and timeless beauty. Sapphires and rubies are both gem varieties of the mineral corundum. They have the same chemical composition and structure. Just like sapphires, rubies also have a Mohs hardness of 9. This places them just below diamonds (the only stone to score a 10), making rubies a very durable and suitable choice for an engagement ring.
If you're seeking an engagement ring that goes beyond tradition, rubies are a great option! While diamonds are often associated with classic elegance, rubies provide an opportunity to create a truly one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry that stands out from the crowd.
Rubies are most commonly known for their vivid red color, which is caused by the presence of chromium in the crystal structure. The intensity and shade of red can vary widely, ranging from deep, dark red to lighter and more vibrant pink hues. The most "traditionally" valuable and sought-after rubies typically exhibit a deep, rich, red color, but we happen to also love the lighter and brighter pink ones!
In general, rubies are often a bit pricier, which is our main reason for awarding them an overall score of "Great" rather than "Excellent". The price of rubies can vary widely depending on several factors, including the gem's color, size, clarity, cut, origin, and overall quality. Like all gemstones, rubies with fewer internal inclusions or flaws are considered more valuable. However, unlike diamonds, some inclusions, such as fine needles or silk that create asterism (a star effect), can enhance the value of cabochon-cut rubies. If you'd like to shop for a ruby and are conscientious of your budget, one tip is to search for a heat-treated ruby. Many rubies undergo heat treatment to enhance their color and clarity. While heat-treated rubies are common and generally less expensive than untreated stones, unheated rubies with exceptional color and quality are sometimes seen as more valuable. All in all, rubies offer a distinctive and beautiful alternative to traditional diamond engagement rings.
Tourmaline
Overall rating: Great
Ideal for: Nature Lovers and Budget-Buyers
Mohs Hardness: 7-7.5
Variety in Color & Shape: Great
If you're drawn to nature's vibrant color palette, tourmaline is the gemstone for you. With its kaleidoscope of hues, tourmaline allows you to create a one-of-a-kind engagement ring that mirrors the beauty of earth's landscapes. From soft pastels to bold, vivid shades, tourmaline offers endless possibilities for crafting a ring that speaks to your individuality. With our passion to creating beautiful, organic designs, your tourmaline engagement ring is sure to be a wearable work of art inspired by the world around us.
In additional to its vast color palate, another reason that many customers are drawn to tourmaline is for its subjective affordability. Tourmaline engagement rings allow you to to enjoy the allure of a stunning gemstone without the premium price tag associated with more traditional options, like diamond. The availability of various colors and sizes allows you to find a tourmaline that fits your budget while still exuding elegance and charm.
If you're hoping to use tourmaline for an engagement ring, it's important to note that its hardness can vary depending on its specific composition and type. Tourmaline is a complex mineral group with several different varieties, each having a different hardness. Gxenerally, most tourmaline falls within the range of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. This is still quite hard and suitable to frequent wear, but you'll definitely want to be more careful with it!
Overall, tourmaline is a remarkably diverse gemstone that comes in a wide array of colors and cuts, making it a favorite amongst our staff and customers alike!
Your Perfect Engagement Ring Awaits
These three gemstones, each with its own distinctive character, offer a chance to embrace nature's wonders and express your love in a way that's deeply personal and "outside the norm." As you embark on this exciting journey of choosing or building the perfect engagement ring, remember that the most important thing is that you love your ring! Sapphires, rubies and tourmaline all make wonderful alternatives to diamonds. When you're ready to discover your dream engagement ring, let us know! We'd be honored to help point you in the right direction to one of our available rings or work with you to create a custom Anueva ring.