Gemstone Engagement Rings

There are several reasons to choose gemstone engagement rings over the traditional diamond styles. The type of stone you choose can be a birthstone, favorite color, or hold some other significance for you and your spouse-to-be, making the ring even more meaningful than representing your love for one another.

Consider a ring without a diamond.

Why Choose Gemstone Engagement Rings

Perhaps the most common reasons to choose gemstones for engagement rings rather than diamonds include their uniqueness, ethical issues with purchasing diamonds, their lower price, and the symbolism that other stones can offer.

Uniqueness

Diamond rings are still the traditional type of engagement ring. Some people are afraid to present anything but a diamond with their proposal, but there are several other gemstone engagement rings out there that would be even more perfect.

Before purchasing an engagement ring, it's best to talk with your spouse-to-be to determine their preferences. The recipient may prefer an engagement ring that no one else has, and one way to go about getting it is to widen the search to include colored gemstones either individually or accented with smaller diamonds.

Moral and Ethical Concerns

There are several moral and ethical concerns surrounding diamonds, especially due to the fear of purchasing a conflict diamond or blood diamond, therefore unknowingly fueling the market for violence and oppression. Some would prefer not taking the chance, or they would prefer to make a statement by wearing a ring featuring something other than a diamond.

Price

With marriage comes a great deal of financial obligation. Even if you're not planning an expensive wedding or honeymoon, you might be concerned with the expense of a house, increased bills, the sudden need for a new car, a big move for a better job or proximity to family, or even just in preparation for starting a life together.

Not everyone can justify the thousands of dollars often spent on diamond engagement rings. While cubic zirconia is an option for those who still want the look of a diamond without paying the high prices, some would prefer to forego the diamond look altogether if they aren't actually purchasing a genuine diamond. Keep in mind, however, that you could find yourself paying more for a very high quality gemstone than you would for a low quality diamond.

Symbolism

While it's easy to choose a gemstone if you wish to go with your own birthstone, the birthstone of your significant other, or the birthstone of your child, there are other ways to choose gemstones that are equally symbolic. You could opt for the birthstone of the month you met, the month you got engaged (assuming a ring wasn't presented at the time, of course), the month you intend to get married, or the month of your first date. If you have a child together, you could go with a three-stone ring to represent your family with all three birthstones.

You may also choose gemstones based on their spiritual properties such as wealth, harmony, peace, fidelity, or love. This can add an extra layer of engagement ring symbolism to this special piece of jewelry.

Popular Gemstones Used for Wedding Jewelry

Certain gemstones are more popular than others, such as rubies, sapphires, pearls, emeralds, and amethysts. However, don't forget about all of the others out there! Here are a few you shouldn't overlook:

Aquamarine and Diamond Ring

• Peridot
• Garnet
• Topaz (any shade)
• Aquamarine
• Opal
• Turquoise
• Tanzanite
• Jade

The rule is, if it catches your eye in the case, consider it! It is also possible to design an engagement ring to include the metal and stones you like best.

Just make sure to do your research to see how the stone will hold up to your daily life. Be sure to check gemstones' color, carat weight, cut, clarity, and flaws just like you would with a diamond ring.

Finding Gemstone Rings

If you're interested in gemstone engagement rings, you're in luck. You can look at nearly any jewelry store or department store for options. Many online retailers also carry a wide selection of non-diamond rings, including:

• Overstock has great deals on beautiful jewelry you may not see anywhere else.
• eBay is another place to be sure to check for the best deal, but don't forget to check the seller's ratings and do your own research on the gemstones you're considering. That way you'll be more likely to get what you're paying for.
• My Jewelry Source is another site that offers styles distinctly designed to be engagement rings.

A gemstone or gemstone and diamond ring can be a lovely alternative to traditional diamond engagement rings, and they are just as lovely and meaningful if they come from the heart.

• Meanings of Gemstones
• Design My Own Engagement Ring
• Discount Wedding Bands
• How Much Should I Spend On An Engagement Ring
• What is the main gemstone in your engagement ring?

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