The Perfect Gemstones for Engagement Rings

The question most people ask when choosing an engagement ring is simple: What gemstone should I choose?

It would be a round brilliant natural diamond set into a four pronged solitaire engagement ring. That type of design is still common today but it is not the only one available.

Nowadays, engagement rings can be made of different types of gemstone featuring varied colors and designs. Gemstones, including sapphires, rubies, and emeralds, are commonly used for engagement rings because of their special meaning and unique appearance.

The development of lab created diamonds provides the consumers with yet another option for choosing the stone for an engagement ring as it has all the characteristics similar to those of the natural diamonds and allows for choosing from different prices, sizes and qualities.

Thus, which gemstone should one choose for his/her engagement ring?

This guide will help you understand the main features of each type of gemstone, including diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and other gemstones to select the best engagement ring for you considering such aspects as durability, appearance, care, cost, and design.

Because the most important aspect of the engagement ring is not just its beauty but also comfort in wearing.

The Foundation: Why Hardness Matters More Than Beauty in an Engagement Ring

However, before proceeding to comparing gemstones, there is one important aspect that should be considered. Engagement rings are meant to be worn all day long throughout many years, and durability becomes just as important as appearance.

Gemstones may be very beautiful when bought in a jewelry shop, but with everyday wear, they become exposed to dust, shocks, and scratches. The appropriate choice of the gemstone depends on the amount of maintenance you are going to provide it.

What Is the Mohs Hardness Scale?

The Mohs hardness scale evaluates the resistance of a gemstone to scratching, ranging from 1 to 10, where 10 is the hardest.

As it was mentioned earlier, household dust consists of quartz, whose hardness is approximately equal to 7 according to the Mohs scale. Soft gemstones can therefore be more sensitive to scratches.

Engagement ring gemstone recommendation by Mohs hardness:

• Gemstone with a Mohs hardness rating of 10 is a very unique one and has maximum scratch resistance.
• Gemstone with a Mohs hardness rating of 9 is an outstanding one and is a great choice for engagement rings.
• Gemstones with a Mohs hardness rating of 8–8.5 are great choices and can be worn every day if cared for properly.
• Gemstones with a Mohs hardness rating of 7–7.5 are adequate choices for engagement rings and need careful protection from scratches.
• Gemstones with a Mohs hardness rating less than 7 are prone to getting scratched every day and are not suggested to be used as engagement rings.

However, besides the hardness, toughness, cleavage, setting design, and daily wear conditions are also important factors when considering gemstone durability.

Taking into account these facts, we are now ready to analyze the main types of gemstones used for engagement rings according to their hardness, durability, appearance, maintenance, and daily wearability.

Option 1: Lab-Grown Diamond — A Strong Choice for Everyday Wear

The Case

Lab-grown diamonds are among the toughest and most preferred choices for engagement rings. They have the toughness, brilliance, and traditional look that diamonds are known for, but at the same time, give buyers an alternative to choose from natural diamonds and other colored gems.

Mohs 10: Diamonds are the toughest naturally occurring minerals on the Mohs scale of hardness. They are very tough against scratches, which makes them ideal for daily wear rings.

Excellent brilliance: Diamonds have a high refractive index and dispersion, which gives them brilliant sparkle and fire and a lot of light return if they are cut to excellent standards.

Great chemical resistance: Diamonds are chemically resistant to most common materials and substances encountered in our day-to-day life. Exposure to normal amounts of perfume, water, and cleaning products does not affect the diamond in any way, but the setting might.

Independent certification: The lab-grown diamonds can be certified by independent laboratories like IGI and GIA, depending on the report type and services chosen.

Lab-Grown Pricing Advantages

Flexibility is another major factor in the selection of a lab-grown diamond. While lab-grown diamonds tend to be cheaper than natural diamonds of similar size, quality, and shape, the price variance can vary according to the size, quality, shape, seller, and current market conditions.

This means that buyers could have more room to work with while trying to purchase a diamond that is larger, has a better color or clarity rating, or has a more elaborate setting.

When to Purchase a Lab-Grown Diamond

A lab-grown diamond should be considered by customers looking for a diamond that is:

Durable enough for daily use
Bright and sparkly
Traditional and symbolic for an engagement ring
Flexible with the establishment of the diamond budget
Graded independently and has known specifications
A substitute for a natural diamond

All these factors will help you make an informed decision about what type of diamond you prefer.

Option 2: Sapphire — The Most Serious Diamond Alternative

The Case

Of all the substitutes that might be chosen for an engagement ring, sapphire would make the best choice after diamonds, being of a Mohs 9 rating and thus extremely scratch-resistant.

Variety of Colors Is Its Main Advantage

Although the blue color is the most famous sapphire type, there are other colors of this gemstone, including pink, yellow, purple, orange, and green. There are also unique padparadscha sapphires, which are orange-pink colored.

Thus, sapphire is a perfect material if one wants a colorful but still durable engagement ring.

Reasons for Sapphire's Popularity

A long tradition of using sapphire in engagement rings should be mentioned. One of the examples includes Princess Catherine's famous blue sapphire ring that was originally worn by Princess Diana.

But What about the Price?

Prices of sapphires are quite diverse depending on color, clarity, size, origin, and even treatment. Exceptional blue sapphires from Kashmir, Myanmar, or Sri Lanka may be very expensive.

Also, there are lab-created sapphires having the same properties as the natural gemstones and being much cheaper.

What Should You Be Looking For?

Color is important: When it comes to blue sapphires, the color should be vivid and well-balanced. A color that is either too light will lack vibrance, whereas a color that is too dark might not have visible color anymore.

Look at the treatment: Sapphire stones are often heat treated to enhance color or clarity. Heat treatment of gems is accepted and common practice, but it needs to be mentioned. Untreated fine sapphires will be harder to find and might be even more expensive than treated stones.

Explore other colors: The options aren't limited to blue sapphires. Other colors such as pink, yellow, orange and other colors of sapphire might give you an entirely different style of ring while still having excellent durability.

Who Should Buy Sapphire?

If you are a buyer that wants a colored ring, high durability, a more unusual choice other than the diamond, a wide selection of colors, both natural and lab-grown gemstones then sapphire might be a right choice for you.

Option 3: Ruby — The Passion Stone With Serious Credentials

The Case

Ruby is the reddish variety of corundum and shares a mineral group with sapphire. Ruby features high hardness of 9 and is very scratch-resistant, which makes it suitable for everyday use as a ring.

Also, ruby has lots of symbolism connected with it. Ruby's intense red color symbolizes love and passion, and it is suitable for those couple who wants something other than a classic diamond.

The Color

Colors of ruby gemstones vary from pinkish-red to deep red shades. The most valuable rubies are those with a strong and vivid red color with saturation.

The term "pigeon's blood" describes exceptional vivid red rubies, however, grading of colors may be different among laboratories and markets.

Sometimes it is hard to determine where the border lies between pink sapphire and ruby depending on specific characteristics of that gemstone.

What About Price?

High-quality natural rubies might be quite valuable, especially if their color, size, clarity and origin is unique.

Nevertheless, prices of ruby stones vary and you can purchase small sized and commercially-grade rubies and even laboratory-created ones.

What Should You Look For?

Inclusions are common. Many natural rubies have inclusions. Unlike diamonds, some inclusions are considered acceptable in a natural ruby and even help prove its genuineness.

It could be difficult to find a clean natural ruby, which will be expensive too.

Check the treatment. It is common for rubies to undergo heat treatment, and it needs to be mentioned by the seller.

Pay special attention to glass-filled rubies. Glass filling is often used to treat fractures in this type of stone to improve its appearance. These gems may require more care than untreated or heat-treated rubies; therefore, it is essential to know whether your stone has been treated before buying it.

Think about lab-grown ruby. Lab-grown rubies have the same chemical composition and crystal structure as natural rubies. Therefore, it can offer similar properties to a natural ruby, including red color and Mohs 9 hardness but with a reduced price.

Who Should Choose Ruby?

Ruby could be a good choice for buyers who need:

• A bold red center stone
• A gemstone with strong romantic symbolism
• Mohs 9 durability for everyday wear
• A historically important and distinctive gemstone
• Something clearly different from a traditional diamond engagement ring

If you love the color red and want a gemstone that can handle everyday wear, ruby offers a strong combination of beauty, symbolism, and durability.

Option 4: Alexandrite — A Rare and Remarkable Choice

The Case

Alexandrite is a kind of chrysoberyl gemstone that displays an interesting color changing property. Depending on the lighting, alexandrite might be either green or bluish green in color and then turn into red or purplish red color.

Color change is precisely the reason why alexandrite is so special.

Why Alexandrite is Unique

High quality alexandrite gemstone that shows a vivid color change is quite hard to find in nature and, therefore, might cost you a fortune.

On the other hand, lab-created alexandrite can also demonstrate color change and will cost significantly less money than high quality natural alexandrite.

Is Alexandrite Hard Enough to Be Used in Engagement Ring?

Absolutely. Alexandrite has Mohs hardness of 8.5, which means that it is sufficiently hard to be used in an engagement ring.

It is harder than such gemstones as emerald.

What Should You Look For?

Examine the color change: The quality of Alexandrite can vary greatly. There are some stones that will have a noticeable color change from green to red, whereas others will demonstrate very slight shifts.

Examine the stone both in daylight and warm light before making the purchase.

Take the size into account: Fine, large Alexandrites are quite rare. Lab-created gems can be more abundant when it comes to choosing a center stone.

Ask about the origin: Make sure that the seller tells you about whether the stone is natural or lab-created.

Who Should Purchase Alexandrite?

This gemstone would be suitable for those customers who wish:

• To have a color-changing gemstone
• Something unusual for an engagement ring
• Gemstones that are durable enough to wear every day
• An opportunity to buy natural or lab-created stones
• A gemstone that makes a great conversation starter
  

Engagement rings that change their color depending on lighting can hardly get better than Alexandrites.

Option 5: Emerald — Beautiful, Distinctive, and Requiring Honest Consideration

The Case

Emerald is a form of beryl which has the Mohs hardness rating of about 7.5–8. The deep green color of emeralds makes them one of the best known and beloved colored gemstones.

However, if you are thinking of getting an emerald engagement ring, the issue of durability must be carefully considered.

The Main Problem with Emeralds

It's not about the hardness rating only. Since many emeralds have inclusions and fractures inside them, the stone may be more likely to chip and break.

These characteristics are often referred to as "jardin" (which means "garden") and they contribute to the uniqueness of the stone, but they make it more sensitive to shocks than the hardness would imply.

Emerald Treatment

A lot of natural emeralds are treated with some substances that fill in the surface-reaching fractures in order to improve the appearance of the stone.

This treatment is fairly common and accepted, but it means that the stones require special care in cleaning.

Avoid using ultrasonic cleaner, steam cleaner and other chemical solutions without consulting a jeweler first.

Protecting an Emerald Ring

Pick a protective setting: A bezel setting may help protect your emerald from knocks. Protective prongs may also add another level of protection.

Be cautious during high-impact activities: You do not have to remove your emerald ring all the time, but it makes sense to take it off when you do heavy manual labor, garden work, play sports, or engage in activities where the gem may be subjected to a knock.

Regular checkups: Professional checkups may help make sure your setting is intact and your emerald is in perfect condition.

Who Should Buy an Emerald?

The right candidates for emeralds might include those who:

• Love its deep green color
• Like a distinctively colored engagement ring
• Are ready to give the gem additional care
• Value their gemstone with a long history in fine jewelry
• Would rather have beauty and character than maximum durability
  

An emerald may become a beautiful engagement ring if it is the gemstone you really love. The only thing to remember is that it needs special care, while diamonds, sapphires, and rubies do not.

Option 6: Moissanite — Not a Diamond, but Worth Understanding

Moissanite is worth including in any guide to engagement rings since many shoppers will be looking for diamond alternatives.

What Is Moissanite?

Moissanite is composed of silicon carbide. Since natural moissanite is very rare, the moissanite available on jewelry markets today is laboratory grown.

Its hardness rate on the Mohs scale is around 9.25 which makes moissanite resistant to scratching. Thus, this stone might be a good choice for everyday engagement rings.

How Does Moissanite Differ From a Diamond?

Moissanite is not a diamond. Moissanite has a different chemical structure and, consequently, different optical properties.

Perhaps the most distinctive characteristic of moissanite is its high fire rate. The stone is capable of producing more rainbow flashes than diamond. For some people it will be an advantage, for others – disadvantage.

Moissanite Compared To Laboratory Grown Diamond

Why would one choose moissanite over diamond? For the following reasons:

• Great durability
• High amount of sparkle and fire
• Cheaper alternative to diamond
• Distinctive look of the gemstone
  

However, if you do want a real diamond, then lab-grown diamonds are another alternative. Lab-grown diamonds have the same chemical structure and molecular makeup as natural diamonds.

Since there are factors that determine the price of a diamond, the comparison should be made through the actual stone, not through assumptions on which is cheaper.

For Whom Is Moissanite the Better Choice?

If you are the kind of person who appreciates the unique brilliance of moissanite and does not have the desire for your engagement ring to be made out of a diamond, then go for it.

If you require the diamond physical and optical properties, then lab-grown diamond would be better for you.

The Practical Decision Framework

Selecting a gemstone for an engagement ring is made simpler once you take into consideration how often you will wear the ring. Take into consideration the following four questions:

Question One: How Often Are You Expected to Wear the Engagement Ring?

For very physically active individuals: If you work with your hands, engage in athletics or participate in outdoor activities, select extremely hard gems that are resistant to scratching, such as diamonds or sapphires. Both these gems have a Mohs hardness of 9-10.

For individuals with an average active life style: This would include individuals who work in offices, cook, drive, and perform all the usual activities. In this case, diamond, sapphire, ruby and alexandrites may be considered. The emerald may also be worn on a regular basis although extra precautions must be taken in its setting and handling.

Question 2: Do You Want Color?

The color you like will immediately give away which gemstone is best for your engagement ring.

Traditional white fire: In case you opt for a classic diamond-like appearance without any color, then a man-made diamond** is an ideal pick.

Blue: A classic sapphire in blue is the best choice here. Another great option would be to get a fancy light blue diamond.

Red/pink: Select a ruby for a beautiful red center stone, or a pink sapphire for a lighter color.

Green: The most classic option for green is emerald, though this type of gemstone is more delicate than others. Also, a green sapphire or a tsavorite garnet are alternatives to consider. Tsavorite has a Mohs hardness of around 7-7.5, thus, it requires extra attention.

Something unusual: The alexandrite gemstone can provide you with the color-changing effect, which looks different in daylight and artificial light.

Question 3: What Is Your True Total Budget?

The total budget will have an effect on the choice of your gemstone, as well as its carat, specification, metal, and setting.

Less than $2,000: Lab grown diamonds, lab grown sapphire, lab grown ruby, and moissanite provide you with some options in this price range. A lab grown diamond may be available in smaller carats with good specifications.

Between $2,000 and $5,000: This budget allows for exploring options that include larger or better lab grown diamonds, lab grown colored gemstones, and natural sapphires depending on their size, color, origin, and treatment.

Between $5,000 and $12,000: Here, you can explore larger or better spec lab grown diamonds, as well as fine natural sapphires, rubies, and alexandrites. The cost of natural gemstones may vary greatly depending on the factors mentioned above.

Over $12,000: With such a budget, you can enjoy large premium lab grown diamonds, a variety of fine natural sapphires, rubies, and alexandrites. Exceptional natural gemstones become significantly more costly as their quality and rarity increases.

The important thing is not to spend all your money on the center stone.

Question 4: What About the Significance of the Gemstone?

Some shoppers base their choices on the significance of the gemstone rather than practical factors.

A ruby can be selected because of its symbolic meaning since it symbolizes passion and love. You can prefer emeralds because of the family heirlooms associated with this gemstone. For many people, sapphires are special because of the popular Princess Diana's sapphire engagement ring.

If you are more interested in the meaning of the gemstone than in practical factors, the latter should not force you to select other stones, but rather assist in making decisions about settings and care.

The main point here: Your perfect gemstone does not need to be practical; it has to have personal meaning for you.

Gemstone Comparison

Lab grown diamond: The lab grown diamond is exceptionally durable because of its hardness that has a rating of Mohs 10. It is available in white, near-white, and various fancy colors. The prices differ according to the size and quality, and it can be used with any kind of engagement ring setting.

Natural diamond: Natural diamond has the same hardness of Mohs 10 and is resistant to scratching. It is available in white and fancy colors. Prices of natural diamonds vary and depend on many factors. It can be used with any kind of engagement ring setting.

Natural sapphire: Natural sapphire has the hardness of Mohs 9 and is very good for everyday wear because of it. It comes in various colors, such as blue, pink, yellow, green. Prices also depend on many factors. It can be used with many kinds of engagement ring settings.

Lab-grown sapphire: Lab-grown sapphire is also hard in the same way as natural one and has the hardness of Mohs 9. It is good for everyday wear. It comes in many colors, and it may be cheaper than natural one. It can be used with many kinds of engagement ring settings.

Natural ruby: Natural ruby has a Mohs hardness of 9 and hence is very durable and is a good option for everyday wear in engagement rings. The most notable feature of natural ruby is its pink to red color. The price varies widely based on the color, clarity, origin, treatment, and size. Ruby can match various settings.

Lab grown ruby: Lab grown ruby has a Mohs hardness of 9 like natural ruby. Hence it is very durable and can be worn daily. It gives the classic look of ruby at a relatively lower cost than natural ruby. It can fit into various engagement ring settings.

Natural Alexandrite: Natural Alexandrite has a Mohs hardness of 8.5 and can be considered for everyday wear, provided it is taken care of. The most distinguishing feature of natural Alexandrite is the color change property from green to red in different lights. Natural Alexandrite can be costly, especially if the color change is very distinct.

Lab-created alexandrite: The lab-created alexandrite gemstone can also have a Mohs hardness rating of 8.5 and can change colors like alexandrite. It tends to be less expensive than natural alexandrite. Since alexandrite is softer than diamonds or sapphires, a setting could help protect the stone even further.

Natural emerald: Natural emerald gems have a Mohs hardness rating of about 7.5-8, however hardness alone does not determine durability. Many natural emeralds will have inclusions and fissures which make them more susceptible to chipping. It is best that they should have a protective setting and care when worn.

Moissanite: Moissanite gems have a Mohs hardness rating of 9.25 which makes them highly scratch-resistant. They can also be worn every day as they tend to be colorless or nearly colorless stones and have plenty of sparkle and colorful fire. Moissanite is compatible with most settings of an engagement ring.

Common Engagement Ring Gemstone Mistakes

Picking a gemstone for your engagement ring is not only about choosing a pretty stone. Here are some mistakes you should avoid while picking out your perfect engagement ring stone.

Buying Pretty Without Looking for Durability

An opal, moonstone, or pearl engagement ring may look nice, but they are much easier to scratch and damage compared to diamond or sapphire. If you are planning to wear it daily, then make sure to find out the Mohs hardness and durability of your choice first.

Choosing an Emerald Without Knowing About its Special Care Needs

Emeralds may have a higher risk of chipping and breaking since natural gemstones usually have a lot of inclusions inside. However, there are still many cases when they may look very good as an engagement ring.

The False Implication That Lab-Grown Means Lower Quality

Lab-grown diamonds are indeed diamonds that have identical chemical composition and structure to natural diamonds. Lab-grown sapphires and rubies also have identical chemical composition and structure to their natural counterparts.

However, lab-grown only means origin; quality will always depend on the color, clarity, cut, size, and individual traits of the gemstone.

Selecting a Sapphire Solely Based On Pictures

The color of the sapphire may vary in daylight, artificial light, and warm artificial light. In order to avoid any mistakes, look at the stone under various types of lighting before you purchase it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the most durable gemstone for an engagement ring?

An IGI diamond report is an independent grading document that records a diamond’s key characteristics, including carat weight, color, clarity, cut, measurements, and whether it is lab-grown or natural.

Q2: Are colored gemstone engagement rings durable enough for daily wear?

Enter the report number on IGI’s official report-verification page and compare the online details with your diamond and report

Q3: Is a lab-grown diamond or a sapphire better for an engagement ring?

IGI is a widely used independent grading laboratory for lab-grown diamonds and provides reports documenting their origin and 4Cs.

Q4: What is the most affordable gemstone for an engagement ring that still looks impressive?

Look at all four Cs cut, color, clarity, and carat weight rather than choosing based on one grade alone.

Q5: Are emerald engagement rings a good idea?

The clarity plot is a diagram showing the location and type of internal inclusions and external blemishes identified during grading.

The Perfect Gemstone Is the One That Fits Your Life

There is no perfect engagement ring gemstone; there is the best one depending on individual preferences.

For those who require maximum brilliance and minimal maintenance efforts, the diamond engagement ring can be a good choice. For those who love deep blue since their childhood, the sapphire engagement ring can become the best variant. In addition, choosing the colored gemstone means to make engagement ring more personal and emotional.

This guide provides information about the most common choices for engagement rings. For example, readers will learn that emeralds are quite beautiful stones, but they need special care; sapphires are highly resistant and have amazing colors; **the lab-grown diamond is a real diamond which costs less than natural diamond**; alexandrite has the interesting feature – changing color in different lighting conditions.

The ideal gemstone should meet the criteria of practicality and beauty. Thus, when making your choice, you should consider the gemstone hardness, maintenance requirements, appearance, and other factors.

With the information presented in this guide, the reader will be able to make an appropriate choice of the engagement ring gemstone.

Discover our collection of lab grown diamonds in an engagement ring, as well as various gemstone rings. Each ring is made from solid gold or platinum, and assistance will be given on how to select the right gemstone for you.