From traditional solitaires to glittering halos, each engagement ring—like the connection it represents—is particular. And whereas many brides choose conventional colorless diamonds as their rings’ centerpieces, increasingly fashionable {couples} are branching out and selecting different gems. In truth, after studying about the most well-liked engagement ring gems, you would possibly end up gravitating towards a nontraditional rock as effectively. 

In keeping with Lorraine Brantner, a gemologist at James Allen, it’s that nontraditional side that normally attracts {couples} to totally different gems within the first place. “We are saying that diamonds are like snowflakes wherein no two are precisely alike below magnification, nonetheless, a coloured gemstone says, ‘I’m totally different!’ from a distance,” she explains.

The Historical past of Gem stones

Despite the fact that the idea of a non-diamond engagement ring may appear fashionable, Barry Verragio, the founding father of the Verragio jewellery model, explains it’s truly a whole bunch of years outdated. “The historical past of those distinctive engagement rings goes again to when Napoleon Bonaparte gave his future empress, Joséphine, a sapphire and diamond engagement ring in 1796,” Verragio says. “Earlier than we understood the potential with diamonds, folks gravitated in direction of gems as a result of their coloration was evident earlier than the stone was lower and polished,” provides Brantner.

With celebrities like Megan Fox, Jennifer Lopez, and Katy Perry selecting different gemstone engagement rings, Valerie Madison, the proprietor and artistic director of Valerie Madison Positive Jewellery, encourages fashionable {couples} to do the identical. “Don’t overlook this chance for self-expression,” she urges. “While you come throughout the precise gem, it’s such as you’re your self however in gemstone kind…Coloration is a straightforward and thrilling approach to reinforce your fashion and voice.”

Buying Issues

As you’re evaluating widespread engagement ring gems, Verragio says that just like diamonds, the 4Cs (coloration, readability, lower, and carat) are essential to creating your ring choice. “Coloration performs a significant function within the gemstone’s look, particularly when contemplating the saturation and depth of it,” he explains. “Sturdiness can be crucial in relation to gems withstanding day by day duties.”

The way to Take care of Gem stones

Brantner provides that since nearly all different gems are extra vulnerable to scratches and chips than diamonds, correct care is vital. “Take away [your ring] earlier than sleeping, showering, exercising, and doing the dishes,” she says. “It is usually not beneficial to put on your jewellery whereas swimming, particularly since gold and gems will be broken by publicity to chemical substances in swimming pools and sizzling tubs.”

When you’ve gotten the care down, although, gemstone engagement rings are probably the greatest methods to showcase your fashion and rejoice your love. Should you’re contemplating a nontraditional stone, try a number of the hottest engagement ring gems under, full with skilled ideas and proposals.

As you’re wanting by way of totally different engagement ring choices, Madison says choosing a gemstone that speaks to you is what issues most. “Search out a middle stone that matches your persona and makes you’re feeling excited each time you see it,” she suggests. “If nice care is put into the gems you choose, these, too, will be heirloom-worthy and can be admired for a lifetime.”