We all know that diamonds are the most popular gemstone when it comes to engagement rings, but there are so many other options out there that are absolutely beautiful and also very sentimental. If your partner is a fan of unique jewellery and you want to get something a bit different, then definitely consider these stunning gemstones! Let’s introduce you to sapphires, emeralds, aquamarines and opals, along with why they are so special!
Sapphires
A really beautiful colourful gemstone is sapphire, which scores a 9 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, making it ideal for everyday wear, and therefore engagement rings. Sapphires are a beautiful deep blue colour, with velvety blue or violet blue shades being the most valuable. When sapphires are grey toned, too light or too dark, then the value depletes quite significantly.
Sapphires represent longevity, good health and truth, making them a thoughtful choice for an engagement ring that will start the rest of your lives together. This gemstone is especially popular amongst the royal family, as it also represents loyalty and elegance. After sapphire jewellery has been gifted within the royal family for centuries, the gemstone is now seen as a key part of royal jewellery. After Prince Charles gifted a vintage sapphire engagement ring to Princess Diana in 1981, sapphires became far more popular as a gemstone. This occurred once again in 2010 when Prince William gifted Kate Middleton the same sapphire ring!
So, sapphires are an absolutely stunning stone with a deep and romantic meaning behind them, making sapphire engagement rings a wonderful choice for your partner. Also, sapphires are the September birthstone, so that is an added bonus if your partner’s birthday is in September!
Emeralds
In the world of gemstones, emeralds are considered as one of the most beautiful. The breathtaking and unique green colour is something to truly behold, especially when paired with platinum. Emeralds score a 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, meaning that you do have to be aware of the limitations that the slightly lower score brings, e.g. avoiding water and any chemicals. If your partner’s birth month is in May, then choosing emerald is wonderful as it is their birthstone.
Emeralds are another deeply meaningful gemstone, representing spiritual awareness, love, protection and wisdom. It is also associated with the goddess Venus, making the gemstone a conveyer of hope and love. Many famous celebrities have also adorned emerald rings, with one of the most famous being Jackie Kennedy’s emerald and diamond engagement ring that she was gifted by John F.Kennedy. This stunning ring was valued at over a million dollars in 1953, so you can only imagine how valuable the ring is now.
Another breathtaking choice for any engagement ring, emeralds should certainly be considered.
Aquamarines
Although aquamarines are not technically considered as precious gemstones, they are absolutely beautiful and very valuable in some cases. Also scoring a 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, they make a fine choice for engagement rings. Aquamarines are a light bluish green variety of beryl and are the birthstone for people born in March.
Many people wrongly believe that aquamarines aren’t valuable, however this isn’t the case. Although they might not be as valuable as the four precious gemstones (diamonds, emeralds, sapphires and rubies), they are still certainly valuable. The better the quality, the higher the value.
One of the most famous aquamarine rings in history is Princess Diana’s, which has been valued at over £650,000. It now belongs to Meghan Markle which she wore to their wedding reception. This is a very unique yet beautiful choice that will make sure your choice is special.
Opal
For an untraditional bride, opal is a wonderful choice. Natural opals come in a variety of different shades and patterns, but something that they all have in common is that they are exceptionally beautiful. The fact that every opal is very slightly different makes these gemstones such a special choice for an engagement ring.
Not only this, but opals are much more affordable on the most part compared to diamonds. Whilst there are some exceptionally expensive opals circulating, generally, they are better value for money than diamonds. You can get a very impressive opal at an affordable price.
In terms of symbolism, opals represent justice and harmony, acting as a protective stone. They also have associations with love and passion, making it a wonderful choice for an engagement ring, especially if your partner has their birthday in October, as this is their birthstone!
Final Thoughts
If you are considering buying an engagement ring for your partner, don’t just automatically jump to diamonds. There are so many other breathtaking gemstones out there that you should explore, as they are both beautiful and deep in symbolic meaning!
