7 Classy Alternatives to a Diamond Engagement Ring

Diamonds are still the most popular gemstones used in engagement rings, but many other gems are becoming sought after as of late! Even if you still want a transparent stone, there are plenty of options that look great on anyone's hand. With the wide variety of beautiful colored gemstones, stunning cuts, and settings, it's hard to overlook the 7 classy alternatives!

7 Classy Alternatives to a Diamond Engagement Ring
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1. Tanzanite Rings: What is Tanzanite?

Tanzanite is the trade name given to this blue and purple stone by Tiffany and Company as it hails from Tanzania. Its name refers to the gem’s limited geographic origins and is the second most popular blue gem after the sapphire. However, tanzanite isn’t just blue or even purple because this stone can come in multiple different colors and can change when held up to the sun. Buy your sweetheart a tanzanite ring, especially if they were born in December, as this charming gemstone has been designated as that month's modern birthstone since 2002.

2. Sapphire Rings: What are Sapphires?

Sapphires often take the top spot from diamonds as the most popular stone globally, and it isn’t hard to see why. Their brilliant royal blue hue is associated with high-class society and worn by Kings and Queens. Sapphires can come in white, yellow, teal, pink, peach, and green and can stand up to everyday wear because they’re incredibly durable. Whether you choose a gold, silver, or platinum base, sapphires look great as a center stone or accent piece.

3. Moissanite Rings: What is Moissanite?

Moissanite was discovered by French scientist Henri Moissan in 1893, who went on to win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his findings. It was initially thought to be diamonds, but through experimentation, Moissan found that the crystal was mostly made up of silicon carbide. Moissanite is the second hardest material in the world, falling short of the number one spot belonging to the diamond. To the naked eye, they look exactly like other translucent stones but are dramatically lower in price and are eco-continuous because they’re lab-created.

4. Aquamarine Rings: What is Aquamarine?

Meaning “water of the sea,” the stone aquamarine is a beautiful pale blue and considered a semi-precious stone. Aquamarine is the birthstone of March and is valued for its ancient lineage and its association with myths and legends associated with frogs. Another legend states that Aquamarines absorb the atmosphere of young love and keep married couples together. When put on a silver or platinum ring base, the stone looks incredible.

5. Emerald Rings: What are Emeralds?

Emeralds have a long, extensive history and are beloved by royal families around the world. They are highly prized for their association with Cleopatra and mystical talismans, but their true pull is their ability to keep a lover's oath. Also known as the “The Jewel of Kings,” this gem serves as the May birthstones and is hard enough to withstand consistent knocking. Unlike diamonds, emeralds can be graded with the naked eye. Engagement rings featuring emeralds are sought after for their beauty and their apparent power to cure disease!

6. Ruby Rings: What are Rubies?

As red represents passion, rubies are a great way to express eternal love between couples. Also considered a stone for kings, they represent power, wealth and are thought to protect owners' estates. Rubies were worn as talismans to promote wealth and ward away evil. Starstone rubies that have a fractured star pattern when put up to the light are more sought after but not so rare that they’ll ruin your pocketbook. Set this stone on a gold ring.

7. Amethyst Rings: What are Amethysts?

Amethysts can make for stunning engagement rings because their lavender hues look incredible when complemented with diamond accents. As one of the most famous and prominent crystals, amethysts are considered important, even today, for psychics, mediums, and divination practitioners. Amethysts are technically quartz, not a stone, so they are typically less expensive than other gemstones. You can use that extra money to purchase a platinum base or get a unique cut of amethyst like square, heart, or oval.