9 Diamond Alternatives for Your Engagement Ring

These stones are the perfect option for non-traditional brides.

Jessica Booth is a journalist with over 10 years of experience and a freelance writer whose work has appeared on sites such as Bustle, Insider, and Refinery29.

Photo by SHANNON MOFFIT PHOTOGRAPHY

There's a reason why diamonds are considered a classic choice when it comes to engagement rings. As one of the strongest, naturally occurring substances on earth—with the ability to withstand almost anything—diamonds symbolize the kind of forever love and commitment that come with marriage. But even with their durability and beauty, these gems are not always the best choice for everyone—which begs the question, "What are the best stones (or diamond alternatives) out there for engagement rings?"

Here's some good news: There are tons of gemstones out there today that make for gorgeous wedding baubles. Celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Eva Longoria, and Halle Berry have even opted for colorful rocks on their rings, and the British royal family is known for doing the same (just take a glimpse at Kate Middleton's stunning sapphire engagement ring!). However, if you're still not sold on the idea of diamond alternatives, or you need more information on the various types of gemstones, we put together a simple guide to help you navigate the world of non-diamond engagement rings.

Below, here's everything you need to know about diamond alternatives, from what to consider when buying one to the nine best gemstones to consider for your sparkler.

Meet the Expert

Design by Kaitlyn Collins

When opting for a diamond alternative, the most important thing to keep in mind is that some gemstones are not suitable for everyday wear. That's why jeweler Colleen Montague strongly recommends keeping your lifestyle in mind when choosing a stone. "Some gemstones are more delicate and will need to be worn with more care to ensure they are not damaged," she says. "Choose a gemstone that will have the durability that fits your day-to-day activities." Be sure to also discuss this with a jeweler, or do your own independent research to see how strong your stone of choice will be.

Another tip? You should always keep color in mind. Diamonds are clear and colorless, which means they go with everything. Many diamond alternatives, however, are colorful and bold, meaning they might not be quite as versatile. "Make sure it's a color that you absolutely love and that you won't grow tired of," jeweler Jillian Sassone advises.

The biggest pro of a diamond alternative is that, generally, they're more affordable. Diamonds are expensive and their price tag is what turns a lot of potential buyers off—so, as Sassone points out, when looking for an alternative stone, you can spend less and get something bigger. "Of course, that depends on the quality and species of the stone that ultimately speaks to you," she explains.

Another advantage of a non-diamond is that you're automatically making your ring stand out more. "It means you will have something unique and different from the traditional-looking engagement ring," Montague says. Lastly, a diamond alternative can just feel a bit more fun. "You can add a pop of color to your jewelry, which can really wow everyone that sees your beautiful piece," Montague notes.

Probably the biggest con of a non-diamond is that, while other gemstones can be very strong, none are as strong as a diamond. For example, Sassone notes that stones like opals and pearls are very soft and are tough to wear all the time. "These stones need more care than what is practical for a ring that you’ll never want to take off," she shares. But other than that, there aren't any additional cons that fall outside of the purview of someone's personal preferences.

Now that you understand the basics, here is a detailed roundup of the most popular diamond alternatives to consider for engagement rings.

Courtesy of Charles and Colvard / Design by Bailey Mariner

In the last few years, moissanite has become one of the most popular diamond alternatives, and it's not hard to see why. Not only does moissanite strongly resemble a diamond, but they come in at a fraction of the price and they're almost as durable. "Moissanite gemstones are the second hardest gemstone used in jewelry making today," Montague shares. "They are super durable for the most active bride-to-be."

But that's not all: Moissanites are incredibly versatile and have an amazing sparkle that's really hard to get with even the most high-quality diamond. As Montague points out, they're also lab-created, making them a more ethical and sustainable option than other naturally formed stones.

Courtesy of Bario Neal / Design by Bailey Mariner

Light blue aquamarine stones are an elegant and fresh choice that can also make your engagement ring your "something blue" (and an excellent family heirloom). Part of the beryl family, aquamarine has a similar internal makeup as emeralds and morganites.

"They have a hardness rating of 7.5 to 8, so diamonds and sapphires would scratch them," Sassone explains. "You would want to store them separately from your other jewels, and the stone may need to be polished over the years. Still, aquamarine is a fairly durable option that will certainly become a treasured favorite.

Courtesy of Anna Sheffield / Design by Bailey Mariner

With their gorgeous green hue, emeralds are a classic choice that will really add something to your jewelry collection. Montague points out that they come in a variety of shapes that can easily be customized to fit into your dream ring.

Like aquamarine, emeralds come in at about 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, so they will require a bit more attention and care when being worn or stored. "When shopping for an emerald, the most appealing stones will be a beautiful green, with a highly transparent appearance," Montague notes. Ultimately, the best emerald color to seek out is neither too deep nor too light—look for one that's medium intensity and highly transparent. Additionally, be sure to inquire about the level of oil applied to your emerald, as the look of stones with high levels of oil treatments will likely change over time.

Courtesy of Effy Jewelry / Design by Bailey Mariner

A feminine pink stone that almost resembles the ultra-luxe pink diamond, morganite is a trendy non-diamond option right now. The light color makes the stone versatile and easy to wear, and there are so many different options for it.

Sassone notes that morganite is in the same family as aquamarine, and so the two are extremely similar. They both have about the same 7.5 hardness, meaning morganite is suitable for everyday wear but still needs to be treated more delicately than a diamond.

Courtesy of Marrow / Design Bailey Mariner

Rubies are an excellent diamond alternative because they manage to be classic but bold at the same time. As Montague explains, they are the gemstone of love and come in a range of shades from deep pink to red, making a beautiful contrast when paired with white and yellow metals.

Rubies are also durable and suitable for everyday wear, which is certainly an advantage. However, they aren't quite as inexpensive as some other options. "Rubies are priced higher per carat than any other colored gem," Montague says.

Courtesy of Natalie Marie Jewelry / Design by Bailey Mariner

Sapphires are another elegant and classic option that comes in a range of different shades. These colored gemstones are one of the hardest diamond alternative stones and are ideal for everyday wear. "You can live your life wearing a sapphire," Sassone says. "There is less upkeep with these stones."

When purchasing a sapphire, Sassone recommends working with a trusted resource since the colored stone market isn't as regulated as the diamond market. "We're looking for good crystal, which is the stone's ability to pass light at the molecular level," she explains. "Irradiation can greatly diminish a sapphire's sparkle factor, so you want to look at how much sparkle the stone has."

Heat treatment, on the other hand, is common among sapphires, and entirely acceptable; pure heat treatment, without any added chemicals or substances, can improve the color and clarity of many sapphires.

Courtesy of David Yurman / Design by Bailey Mariner

The deep violet hue of amethyst makes this the perfect stone for the unconventional bride-to-be. Considerably less expensive than a diamond, you can get a large amethyst for a budget-friendly price point.

As beautiful as the color is, though, an important thing to keep in mind with amethyst is that it's not as strong as some other colored gemstones. It's a 7 on the Mohs scale, which is why Montague doesn't recommend it for everyday wear. It's more delicate and could get damaged more easily—but if you're willing to take care of it and be extra cautious, amethyst can still be your choice.

Courtesy of Angara / Design by Bailey Mariner

"If your style is a more vintage feel, or you want an heirloom look, opal gemstones can achieve this for you," Montague says. These beautiful milky white stones have an interesting iridescence to them, and they are pretty versatile.

However, opals are not one of the strongest stones out there and are not a good choice for everyday wear. "Opals are super soft and porous," Montague says. "With prolonged wear, you will likely experience chips and scratches, and the stone may change color over time." They also may not react well to sudden temperature changes or prolonged periods of time spent in direct sunlight.

Courtesy of Brilliant Earth / Design by Kaitlyn Collins

While topaz is a gemstone that comes in an array of hues, from yellow and orange to blue and green, white topaz has increasingly become the gemstone of choice for those on the hunt for a diamond alternative. To the naked eye, it looks very similar to a natural diamond, which allows it to be a suitable option for brides with classic and traditional aesthetics. One major downside? It's an 8 on the Mohs scale and needs to be properly handled when worn and stored.