Why should you choose a gemstone engagement ring?
When you think of an engagement ring, a classic diamond ring might spring to mind. However, diamonds aren’t for everyone – for a variety of reasons. There’s no reason why your engagement ring must be a diamond, there are no rules! But before choosing a gemstone engagement ring, there are a few things to consider. Read on for our guide to gemstones engagement rings, and their pros and cons.
What is a gemstone engagement ring?
A gemstone engagement ring is a ring whereby the central stone – or stones – are made up of gemstones, as opposed to the traditional diamond. Nowadays, most people opt for an engagement ring with a diamond at its core, but in the 14th and 15th century, gemstone engagement rings were the most popular token of love.
What are the pros of choosing a gemstone engagement ring?
- Choosing a gemstone engagement ring nowadays will set you apart from the crowd. Most engagement rings are marketed as diamond rings, so a gemstone engagement ring is something unusual. If you love to do things a little differently, a gemstone engagement ring might be perfect for you.
- Gemstones are oftentimes – carat weight for carat weight – cheaper than their diamond counterpart. This means you may be able to achieve a larger carat weight with a gemstone than you would with a diamond, or – if you don’t want anything too big – your ring will likely just cost less overall.
- A gemstone engagement ring is a favourite amongst fashionistas. As gemstones come in many different colours, you can choose a stone in your favourite colour to complement your outfits.
- Some gemstones may have extra, hidden meaning, which can add an extra layer to your ring. For example, the gem you choose could be representative of yours or your partners birthstone, or you could choose a gem with a special meaning for your relationship, such as love, trust and happiness.
What are the cons of choosing a gemstone engagement ring?
- It is important to note that some gemstones are not suitable for the everyday wear and tear that an engagement ring will go through. For example, you shouldn’t choose a pearl, opal or garnet, as structurally, they are too soft to withstand daily knocks and scratches. Choosing the incorrect hardness of stone can lead to your ring becoming damaged, or your stone becoming lost. So, speak to a jeweller about the stone you have in mind, and whether it is ‘hard enough’ on the Mohs scale to be worn daily.
- If you do, however, choose a weaker gemstone, a disadvantage is that you won’t be able to wear your ring daily, instead, bringing it out for special occasions. You’ll also need to use extra care when wearing it and take note of any specialist cleaning recommendations.
- You may decide against a gemstone engagement ring simply because it’s not ‘traditional;’ the stereotypical image of a modern engagement ring has a central diamond, and you may feel that a gemstone doesn’t feel classic enough. This is, of course, down to personal preference.
Still looking for your perfect ring?
Take a look at our full range of engagement rings here, or discover sapphire, ruby and emerald engagement rings. You can also learn about other kinds of engagement rings, such as solitaire rings, pavé rings, vintage rings, statement rings and three stone rings.
