Explore your options — From natural colored gemstones and colored diamonds to lab-grown alternatives, there are more choices than ever before.
Consider your lifestyle — Some gemstones are better suited for everyday wear, while others require a little extra care.
Find the right balance — The best alternative engagement ring combines beauty, durability, and a design you'll love for years to come.
The Alternative Engagement Ring
Alternative engagement rings have become increasingly popular, offering a unique way to express your personal style. From rich blue sapphires like Kate Middleton's to vibrant emeralds, rubies, and even soft aquamarines, colored gemstones bring personality and meaning to your ring. While these stones are stunning, choosing one for an engagement ring means considering more than just color—you'll also want a gemstone that can stand up to everyday wear.
What to Look for in an Alternative Engagement Rings
When choosing an alternative engagement ring, beauty is only part of the decision. Since you'll likely wear your ring every day, durability is just as important.
Some key things to consider include:
- Hardness: Choose a gemstone that ranks high on the Mohs Hardness Scale for everyday durability. Diamonds rank a 10, while sapphires and rubies rank a 9, making them excellent alternatives.
- Color Options: Sapphires are available in far more than classic blue, including pink, yellow, green, white, and peach, giving you plenty of ways to personalize your ring.
- Setting Style: Gemstones like emeralds (Mohs 7) and topaz (Mohs 8) benefit from protective settings, such as a bezel or low-profile design, to help minimize everyday wear.
- Lifestyle: Softer gemstones like opals and pearls are beautiful but are more susceptible to scratches and chips. They're often better suited for occasional wear or fashion jewelry rather than an everyday engagement ring.
The Gemstones
If you're looking for an alternative engagement ring that feels a little less traditional, a gemstone can be a beautiful way to add color and personality. While diamonds will always be a classic choice, gemstones like sapphires and rubies offer something completely their own.
Whether you choose a vibrant ruby, a classic blue sapphire, or a more unexpected gemstone color, an alternative engagement ring can be a beautiful reflection of your personality and your love story.
The Synthetics
If you're looking for an alternative to a traditionally mined diamond, lab-grown diamonds and moissanite are two popular options. While they may appear similar, they are very different gemstones with unique characteristics.
The Engagement Band
In keeping with non-traditional, let's talk bands. Instead of a traditional ring you can opt for a band! Whether you choose a bold statement band or create a custom stack, there are endless ways to make your ring uniquely yours. Nearly every band we offer can be customized by metal color, diamond or gemstone size, and carat weight.
Some of our favorite styling ideas include:
- Wear a statement band for an elegant, eye-catching look.
- Stack multiple bands to create a personalized set that evolves over time.
- Mix textures by pairing a pavé diamond band with a polished gold band.
- Combine diamond shapes, like emerald-cut and round, for added dimension.
Whether you prefer a simple statement or a layered stack, your wedding set should be as unique as your love story.
The Colored Diamond
If you aren't fully willing to let the diamond go, but you still want your ring to have a twist, a colored diamond may be the way to go. A diamond is the strongest gemstone, making it very unlikely to damage. This is why is it usually first choice for a ring that will spend the rest of its life on your hand, all day every day. A fancy yellow diamond offers all the benefits diamonds have while having it's own unique aspects just like you.
Why choose a colored diamond?
- You still get a the alternative engagement ring look. Enjoy the durability, brilliance, and timelessness of a diamond while stepping outside the traditional white diamond.
- Add a pop of personality. From soft yellows to striking blues, pinks, and greens, colored diamonds offer a unique way to make your ring feel personal.
Finding your Alternate Stone Engagement Ring
Gemstones, bands, and colored diamonds are the perfect place to start when you're browsing non-traditional styles. Don't be afraid to try styles and colors you aren't used to – your engagement ring should tell your story, so make it all about you!
Custom Options
When it comes to customizations and ring design, we have experts on board to guide you through the entire process. Our GIA and AGS-certified team will work with you on your price range, setting style, finishes, and gem selections to help create your dream ring – how un-traditional it may be!
- Share Your Vision – Tell us what you love, what you don't, and what you're imagining for your ring.
- Explore Your Options – Work with our team to choose your setting style, metal, finish, gemstones, and other details.
- Watch Your Ring Come to Life – From the first ideas to the finished piece, our team will guide you through the process every step of the way.
Get started by clicking below and schedule and appointment to meet with our team!
Come See Us
Sometimes the best way to find your perfect alternative engagement ring is to see your options in person. Visit us in store to try on different styles, compare gemstones, and see how different shapes, colors, and settings look on your hand. Our team is here to answer your questions, share their expertise, and help you discover a ring that feels uniquely yours.
Ready to start exploring? Stop by and see our collection of engagement rings and alternative options in person. We’d love to help you find the one!
