The Most Popular Colored Gemstones For Your Engagement Ring

Not every bride-to-be dreams of a diamond engagement ring on her finger. While some prefer sticking to traditions, many modern couples are rewriting the rules and opting for colored gemstones.

If you too often find yourself thinking outside the diamond box and are looking for a unique way to celebrate your love, you need to take a look at our list of most popular colored gems for engagement rings. You’ll be awestruck, we promise!

1. Blue Sapphire

Let's just say, blue sapphires are a royal choice when it comes to engagement rings. Yes! We're referring to Kate Middleton's engagement ring that once belonged to Princess Diana.

Easily one of the most popular stones for engagement rings, blue sapphires represent fidelity, royalty, purity and trust. They are also incredibly hard (9 on the Mohs scale) and suitable for everyday wear.

2. Ruby

Hailed as the “king of gems" for centuries, rubies represent love and passion. They are also believed to open the heart of your loved one and bestow good fortune on them.

Like sapphires, rubies also clock in at 9 on the Mohs scale, making them an excellent diamond alternative for engagement rings.

3. Emerald

Loved and worn by celebrities like Halle Berry, Megan Fox and Victoria Beckham, emeralds are one of the most enchanting and magnificent gemstones. Moreover, they are associated with luck and good fortune, which makes them a top contender for engagement rings.

Emeralds have a hardness rating that falls between 7.5 and 8 on the Mohs scale - meaning they are not as tough as diamonds. However, they can still offer excellent durability when handled with care.

4. Tanzanite

Mined only in one place on earth - the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania - tanzanites are 1000 times rarer than diamonds. And they're quickly surging in popularity because of their gorgeous bluish-violet hue.

Tanzanites are said to symbolize new beginnings and bring prosperity. So, you can count on them as you embark on a new chapter in your life.

Just know that they rate at about 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale and are not extremely hard. But a protective setting such as a halo or bezel can work wonders in keeping your tanzanite ring safe and sparkling.

5. Opal

Why settle for one color when you can have an entire rainbow? Opals, with their kaleidoscopic play of colors and otherworldly beauty are winning hearts everywhere.

Opals have a low hardness of 5.5 to 6.5 and are susceptible to scratching. But if you're willing to give your sparkler a little extra love and attention, an opal engagement ring can be a breathtaking symbol of your love story.

6. Morganite

Maybe pink diamonds aren't in your budget. Even so, you can fulfill your fantasy of having a sparkling peachy-pink engagement ring with morganites.

Morganites rate between 7.5 and 8 on the Mohs scale. So, while you can wear them regularly, you'll need to practice caution.

Just like diamonds, morganites are said to evoke love, romance and happiness. They're perfect for brides with a playful and feminine sense of style.

7. Aquamarine

Aquamarines, with their serene blue hues, are believed to bring peace and calm. In fact, as per ancient lore, these icy blue gems can bring happiness to a marriage.

With a hardness rating of 7.5 to 8, they are a fairly durable option for an engagement ring.

Found a gemstone that made you say "YES"? Want to explore design options? Then, we recommend you check out the collection at Angara. In addition to all the gemstones mentioned in this list, they have several other gemstones on their site. You can also create your own engagement ring from scratch with their award-winning Create With Angara feature.