Your Guide to Choosing a Gemstone Engagement Ring
When most people think of engagement rings, a sparkly diamond is the first thing that pops into their head. Whilst completely understandable, here at Jeweller’s Loupe we’re big supporters of a trend that existed long before diamonds were the sole symbol of love; the coloured engagement ring.
Diamond engagement rings were popularised in 1947, when De Beers launched their ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ campaign. Prior to this, coloured gemstones were actually the status quo, especially for high society. Ever wondered why a lot of royal engagement rings sport sapphires, rubies and emeralds? It’s because a lot of them are family heirlooms and were made before diamonds took over the wedding industry. And now the trend is resurfacing, with many people choosing a more unique ring that better symbolises their personality and love.
What should you look for when choosing a coloured gemstone engagement ring?
The colour of the centre stone will play the main part in your ring’s overall appearance, so choosing the right one is important. There are lots of gemstones and shades to choose from, and we know this might be a bit of an overwhelming decision, so further on in this blog we’ll look into some of the most popular choices and their meanings. However, some other factors to consider are your (or your partner’s) personal style and tastes, and which stone you feel you’d love for the rest of your life. After all, you’ll be wearing this ring for a very long time, so base your decision on your own personal preferences rather than a recent trend or celebrity ring style.
Another important factor is the cut of the gemstone, or stones if you opt for more than one. There are many different cut variations that are used for coloured stones, but it’s important to do a bit of research as certain cuts can enhance or detract from your stone depending on its colour and size. For example, a brilliant cut is a gorgeous choice for adding life and sparkle, and works especially well for lighter coloured options such as aquamarine, or stones that are so dark that they need help absorbing light. However, as it introduces a lot of white light, brilliant cuts are not recommended for rich colours, such as rubies, as they can dilute the saturation and cause the stone to look washed out.
Also consider the type of precious metal you’d like your ring to be made of, as some coloured gemstones and metals will clash. For example, an emerald might look better set in platinum or white gold than rose gold, as the colours will better compliment each other and result in a more cohesive design. Likewise, the colour of any surrounding stones will also play a part.
At Jeweller’s Loupe, our master jewellers have years of experience creating stunning pieces and have carefully chosen cuts and colours that combine together beautifully, saving you the stress of having to.
What are the best gemstones for coloured engagement rings?
Sapphire has always been the favourite precious gem for engagement rings, since it has a regal and sophisticated air, and always looks classy. Ruby and emerald are two other popular choices, both sure to make a statement. However, there are lots of other unique options that will make your engagement ring stand out from the crowd.
We have a variety of coloured engagement rings available, including gemstones such as blue and yellow topaz, pink tourmaline, aquamarine, and amethyst. There’s a stone for every style, and it really comes down to what you find most beautiful and what best represents your love.
What are coloured gemstones thought to represent?
Sapphire
Sapphire has regal connotations, due to its history of being a royal favourite, and looks exceptional with diamond accents. It is believed to attract abundance, blessings, and gifts, and has long been used to protect against negative energies, as well as calm the mind, strengthen intuition, and invite spiritual clarity. Sapphire is September’s birthstone.
Click here to view all of our sapphire rings.
Ruby
Ruby is an elegant, feminine gemstone, thought to evoke love, courage and passion - perfect for engagement rings. It’s also said to offer good luck and protection to the wearer. It looks stunning with any metal, but white and yellow gold really allow it to shine. Ruby is the birthstone of those born in July.
Emerald
Emerald is a symbol of truth and love. In ancient Greece, emerald was said to be the gemstone of the goddess Venus, purveyor of love and hope, and was also revered by the Incas and believed by the Egyptians to be a source of eternal life. It’s also believed to bring prosperity and growth. Recently, emeralds have been gaining popularity and seen on a fair few celebrities' fingers. Emerald is May’s birthstone.
Click here to view all of our emerald rings.
Topaz
Topaz symbolises love and affection, and is believed to give increased strength and intellect, as well as offer mental clarity. It’s also known as the ‘lover of gold’, and supposedly brings its wearer wealth and success. It comes in yellow and blue, and therefore goes well with any precious metal. It’s December’s birthstone.
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Citrine
Citrine has been referred to as the success stone, or money stone, thought to bring success and wealth. Because of its yellow colour, citrine is also thought of as a joyous gemstone with sunshine-energy to brighten up the lives of those who wear it. For the perfect warm sunshine vibe, pair with yellow gold. Citrine is November’s birthstone.
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Pink Tourmaline
Pink Tourmaline is a gemstone of love, compassion, emotional healing and self love. It represents humanity and promotes better listening and understanding. It also carries the virtue of unconditional love and friendship. It helps calm one's emotions in times of distress, and is the perfect choice if you suffer from anxiety. Its delicate tone is gorgeously feminine and looks stunning with rose gold. Pink Tourmaline is one of October’s birthstones.
Click here to browse all of our pink tourmaline rings.
Aquamarine
Aquamarine represents happiness, hope and everlasting youth. It’s thought to create mental clarity, and soothe an overactive mind; it's even been used to improve intellect. Aquamarine has also long been thought to provide protection to its wearers. Its pale colour is fresh and sure to never get old, and compliments platinum, and white or yellow gold beautifully. It’s March’s birthstone.
Click here to browse all of our aquamarine rings.
Amethyst
Known as "the all purpose stone", Amethyst is a protective gemstone that helps to relieve stress and anxiety, along with headaches and fatigue. It is also associated with crystal clear clarity, deep contemplation, and a sense of control over life. Amethyst comes in many shades and looks good with any precious metal. It is February’s birthstone.
Click here to browse all of our amethyst rings.
Garnet
With associations with the heart, blood, and life force, Garnet has long been considered a symbol of love and friendship. It has been used to attract and activate passion and success, as well as create balance in the body by removing emotional and energetic blocks that may be limiting vitality. Garnet can be a good substitute for rubies, as it’s typically more affordable. It is January’s birthstone.
Click here to browse all of our garnet rings.
Alexandrite
Alexandrite is the gemstone of luck, prosperity, and intellect, and is thought to invite romance. It represents the balance between the physical and the spiritual, and can bring you into the balance of who you are. Alexandrite is a relatively new gemstone as it was only discovered in Russia in the 1830's. Its capacity for reflecting different colours gives it a truly mesmerising effect. It’s one of June’s birthstones.
When it comes to coloured engagement rings, there really is no right or wrong choice. Choose a gemstone, a precious metal, and a style that you adore, and you’ve got a winning recipe for a ring that will be as close to your heart as the love it represents.
At Jeweller’s Loupe, we love love. And we love making jewellery that people can treasure for the rest of their lives, which is why we create beautiful engagement rings that will be just that.