Elizabeth Hurley, Emma Stone, and Kate Middleton are just a few who broke with tradition and had a non-diamond engagement ring. While the tradition of a diamond engagement ring goes back to the 15th century, it has come in and out of fashion many times. For a few decades after World War I, for example, diamond engagement rings were not the norm. The biggest factor then was the cost, as the world was plunged into The Great Depression. New fashions with art deco designs and intricate metalwork also prevailed.
Today, it’s a matter of choice. Any ring can be an engagement ring, and many couples are choosing to stray into the unexpected. Gemstones like sapphire, emerald, and morganite have been gaining in popularity with celebrities and trendsetters alike.
Here are some of our favorite non-diamond engagement rings.
Sapphire
A sapphire engagement ring is a solid choice (quite literally). Sapphires land a 9 out of 10 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, a rating used by gemologists to rank a mineral’s ability to withstand scratches. In fact, the only way you can scratch a sapphire is with a diamond. These gems are tough. If you have an active lifestyle or don’t like a lot of maintenance, this is a great choice.
Kate Middleton’s engagement ring, which was originally worn by the late Princess Diana, has that traditional deep royal blue color most associate with sapphires. But your color options are actually quite wide. Sapphires can be found in yellow, white, pink, green, teal, peach, and red. White sapphires are a popular choice because they share a bright white brilliance of a traditional diamond, with their own unique chemical and optical look.
Emerald Cut Diamond and Sapphire Engagement Ring
This is an elegant combination of new fashion and tradition. An emerald cut diamond is bordered by delicate blue sapphires. It’s set on 14k white gold, with 8 smaller diamonds set around the ring. Total carat weight is 1.73.
Antique-Style and Art Deco Engagement Rings
Taking a page out of the past, new rings are being inspired by vintage settings. In the Victorian era it was common to find sapphires and other colored gemstones as the focal point. As fashions changed at the beginning of the 20th century, the Art Nouveau era ushered in a trend of found dreamy center gems such as moonstone, amethyst, citrine, opal, and pearl. The elegant curves of Art Nouveau would give way to Art Deco’s sharper angles and geometric shapes. As couples are looking for new ways to show their love, these “old” trends are new once again.
Emerald-Cut Ruby and Diamond Ring
This ruby with an emerald cut sits delicately held by an intricate design of diamonds in a dynamic claw shape. The ring is made of platinum and has a total carat weight of 1.53.
Diamond Bands as Engagement Rings
A great option for those who still want a diamond, but without the prominent center gem. Diamond bands have multiple diamond accents, but no large center diamond. You’ll often see these types of bands worn by people who stack their rings, or add rings for special occasions like anniversaries, children, and grandchildren.
French Cut Pave Eternity Band
A collection of French cut diamonds go around the entirety of this ring with a total carat weight of 3.83.
Non-Diamond Rings with Diamond Accents
As you can see, there are many options when it comes to engagement rings. If you still want a bit of the traditional without diamonds being the star, you can choose something with diamond accents. Having a center gemstone surrounded by a halo of diamonds is a fantastic way to highlight the gem. You can also choose a three stone setting for a timeless look with sparkle.
London Blue Topaz, Sky Blue Topaz, and Blue Diamond Ring
For a more unique look, consider this 18k yellow gold ring with a bezel-set emerald cut London blue topaz center, surrounded by 24 round Swiss blue topaz and 36 full cut spectacular diamonds in a double halo setting. This one comes in at a total carat weight of 5.480.
The Benefit of Affordability
Aside from the uniqueness, non-diamond engagement rings come with the added benefit of being an excellent value. But the money you save won’t impact the dazzling beauty at all. We have great options that will make a big splash for any proposal.
You have more choices than you know when it comes to choosing an engagement ring. The traditional diamond is always a classic look, but non-diamond rings are becoming more popular by the day. From Kate Middleton’s royal sapphire, Olivia Wilde’s Art Deco emerald stunner, Jessica Simpsons’ three stone ruby ring, and Zoe Saldana’s pear cut emerald…non-diamond engagement rings are a brilliant choice.
Stop by our San Francisco or Palo Alto locations and see our outstanding options for yourself!
