Recently, I admired my coworker’s new engagement ring. A large amethyst stone set in rose gold with a pave ribbon wrapping the stone. A gorgeous ring, but how will it stand up to everyday wear? On the Mohs scale of hardness which ranks gemstones from a 1 (talc – please don’t get her a talc engagement ring) to 10 (diamonds), an amethyst comes in a 7. While hard enough for everyday wear, a knock against something hard can cause it to fracture, and repeated wear can eventually result in surface scratches.
So which gemstones ARE appropriate for everyday wear an engagement ring must endure? Read along for my top picks of non-diamond engagement rings with durable – and affordable – center stones.
Moissanite
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| This Moissanite engagment ring by Kobelli features a 1 1/3 ct center moissanite and a pricetag under $1000 |
If you love the look of diamonds but want a more affordable and socially conscious stone look into Moissanite. With a hardness rating of 9.25, this is one of the hardest stones you can buy that is not a diamond, and the light refraction and fire it produces is equal if not greater than that of a diamond.
Naturally occurring Moissanite is very rare, so most Moissanite stones you will encounter for sale are synthetically made. As a result, they tend to have better clarity than naturally occurring diamonds. To tell a real diamond apart from a moissanite stone, jewelers have special tools to use to test the electrical conductivity of the stone. That’s how close it is.
So where can you find some amazing Moissanite engagement rings? My 2 go-to places are Kobelli on Amazon where you’ll find classic and vintage style moissanite rings set in gold and platinum, and Etsy where you can find some unique, modern one-of-a-kind moissanite rings from sellers like SKind & Co, and Julian Studio where classic and vintage looks in moissanite reign.
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| Emerald cut moissanite ring set in rose gold by Julian Studio $1219 |
Sapphire
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| A lab grown sapphire sparkeles in this vintage style lotus setting by WanLoveDesigns on Etsy |
While traditional blue sapphires have always been a popular diamond alternative, fancy colored sapphires including pinks and pure whites are also growing in popularity. With a hardness rating of 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness, a sapphire is a good bet for an engagement ring that can safely be worn every day, and new lab created stones are also making this a more affordable option than ever before.
If you still have your heart set on building your own engagement ring – with an alternate stone – check out James Allen’s collection of pink, blue and yellow sapphires. They can all be set in any of their luxurious settings and come with their world class guarantee and services like free engraving.
Morganite
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| Oval Morganite solitaire by DavieandChiyo $637 on Etsy |
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| Double halo morganite ring by AviantiJewelry on Etsy $664 |
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