Category: Alternative Engagement Rings

August 11, 2020 diamondwish

Non-Traditional Engagement Ring Alternatives

Non-Traditional Engagement Ring Alternatives

Today, more and more couples are looking for alternatives to traditional diamond engagement rings. Some people want a non-traditional ring because they’re looking for something unique that will stand out, while other people want an alternative engagement ring because they want something that feels more personalized and meaningful.

Whatever your reason for wanting a non-traditional engagement ring, opting for an alternative engagement ring is an excellent choice. Non-traditional engagement rings are beautiful and special– and, as an added bonus, they can also be much more affordable than traditional diamond engagement rings.

Another thing we love about non-traditional engagement rings is that there are no rules on what you can choose for your gemstone. So, which gem is right for you and your partner? Learn about your options as we go over some of our favorite diamond alternatives below!

Morganite Engagement Rings

This east-west set morganite and diamond engagement ring shows off how beautiful rose gold and morganite look together.

Morganite is a beautiful pink to orange-pink variety of beryl, putting it in the same family as emerald (green beryl) and aquamarine (blue beryl). With its blushing pink hue, morganite is an incredibly romantic alternative engagement ring option. Morganite tends to be particularly popular when paired with rose gold, since the warm pink tones of these luxe materials look simply stunning together.

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Lab-Grown Diamond Rings

This white gold diamond ring has a classic look and a non-traditional center stone: a round cut lab-grown diamond.

Over the last few years, lab-grown diamond engagement rings have skyrocketed in popularity, quickly becoming one of the most popular non-traditional engagement ring options. Lab-grown diamonds have almost all of the same advantages as natural diamonds. Since lab-grown diamonds have the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as natural diamonds, they’re just as brilliant, durable, and beautiful as natural diamonds. But lab-grown diamonds are different from natural diamonds in two ways that are very important to many modern consumers: they aren’t mined and they come with a significantly more affordable price tag. So, for those who want a diamond engagement ring or wedding band but don’t want a mined diamond (or just don’t want to pay the premium for a mined diamond), a lab-created diamond ring is an ideal choice.

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Moissanite Engagement Rings

A two carat moissanite stuns in this vintage-inspired engagement ring, which features a rose gold band set with marquise cut diamonds.

Moissanites are brilliant, colorless gemstones that look remarkably like diamonds, yet cost around 90% less. This gorgeous gemstone was first discovered in 1893 by the French scientist Henri Moissan. Initially, Moissan thought that he had found diamonds in a meteor crater, but later discovered that he had found an entirely new gemstone made out of silicon carbide.

Moissanites look similar to diamonds, but these gemstones do have some differences, including in light reflection. Moissanites have a higher refractive index than diamonds, so they’re actually more brilliant and fiery than diamonds. Moissanites shine brightly on their own in solitaire settings, then also look gorgeous in bands with diamond accents, as moissanites and diamonds look stunning together.

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Black Diamond Engagement Rings

This white gold halo diamond ring features a mesmerizing pear shaped black diamond.

Black diamond engagement rings have a luxurious, dramatic beauty, making them an ideal option for the style-setter who loves to stand out from the crowd. Black diamonds are a wonderful center stone option not only because of their striking look, but also because of their meaning. Like all diamonds, black diamonds symbolize eternal love. But then, black diamonds also have a unique meaning of their own, symbolizing passion and strength.

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Sapphire Engagement Rings

This white gold, white diamond, and blue sapphire engagement ring is the picture of classic beauty.

Blue sapphire engagement rings are somewhat rare today, but they were actually the default choice for hundreds of years. Until diamond engagement rings skyrocketed in popularity in the 19th century, almost all brides wore sapphire engagement rings. Sapphires were chosen for their beauty and durability, but also for their meaning. For millennia, sapphires have been associated with fidelity, loyalty, and truth.

Blue sapphire engagement rings are an uncommon choice in the 21st century, but they’ve had a couple of notable surges in popularity within the last few decades. Most notably, in the 1980s, Princess Diana’s 12 carat blue sapphire and diamond engagement ring sparked a sapphire engagement ring trend. Then, when Kate Middleton started wearing the same sapphire ring in 2010, it led to another spike in sapphire engagement ring popularity.

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Still searching for your perfect non-traditional engagement ring or wedding ring? Browse our full bridal jewelry collection. Or, if you’re looking for a colored gemstone style, browse our gemstone collection, which features a wide selection of gemstone engagement rings and birthstone jewelry options, including blue topaz rings, amethyst rings, morganite rings, aquamarine rings, emerald rings, and ruby rings.

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February 28, 2020 diamondwish

February’s Birthstone – The Alluring Amethyst Gemstone

February’s Birthstone – The Alluring Amethyst Gemstone

February’s birthstone is the alluring amethyst, a glittering purple gemstone. Amethyst jewelry is a popular gift choice for February birthdays, since wearing an amethyst is thought to bring good luck to those born in February. However, amethyst jewelry makes an excellent gift no matter which month the recipient was born in. This stunning gemstone is loved by many, thanks to its rich color, history, and meaning. Amethyst is a very popular choice for fashion and special occasion jewelry, and it’s also quite popular for unique engagement rings.

Are you thinking of picking up an amethyst piece for yourself or a loved one? Read on to discover more about February’s enchanting birthstone. Below, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the alluring amethyst, including its history, meaning, and characteristics.

Amethyst History and Meaning

Cushion Cut Purple Amethyst Gemstone Engagement Ring

Ancient Greeks believed that wearing amethyst jewelry, like this mesmerizing diamond and amethyst ring, could help you keep a clear head.

Amethysts have been loved for thousands of years, since the time of the ancient Greeks. The word “amethyst” comes from the ancient Greek word “amethystos,” which means “not drunk.” Ancient Greeks adored purple amethysts and, due to the amethyst’s grape-like color, Greeks associated them with Bacchus, the god of wine. The people of ancient Greece believed that wearing an amethyst (or drinking from an amethyst goblet) would help protect you from drunkenness. In addition to believing that amethysts warded off intoxication, ancient Greeks believed these purple gems could help you keep a clear head in many situations. For example, Greek businessmen often carried amethysts when they went to negotiate business agreements.

Even after the time of ancient Greece, amethysts have been associated with a clear mind. Leonardo da Vinci famously wrote that amethysts enhance intelligence and protect the mind from evil. Then, many Buddhists throughout the ages have believed that amethysts aid in meditation. Today, amethysts are still associated with peace and a clear mind. Many modern crystal healers believe that amethysts provide clarity, enhanced intuition, and protection from negative thoughts and energy.

Amethyst’s Characteristics and Color

Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz, so it’s quite durable like all quartz gemstones. Amethyst gets its regal violet hue from exposure to iron and natural irradiation. While amethyst is always purple, it can come in a variety of hues. Amethyst can range from a pale pinkish purple to a rich and deep royal purple.

Amethyst in Jewelry

Amethyst is a breathtaking gemstone that looks lovely in many types of jewelry. If you’re shopping for an amethyst piece, you can choose from gorgeous amethyst rings, amethyst earrings, and amethyst necklaces. One of our favorite ways to wear amethyst is in a glamorous amethyst cocktail ring or in a unique purple amethyst engagement ring. With their deep purple color, amethysts look particularly beautiful in rings that are accented with white diamonds. White diamonds add a bright, brilliant contrast that makes the rich violet color of an amethyst look even more luxe.

Caring for Amethyst Rings and Other Amethyst Jewelry

Since it’s both durable and beautiful, amethyst is an excellent choice for an eye-catching ring, like the Halo Purple Amethyst Ring pictured above.

Amethyst is a strong gemstone, coming in at a 7 out of 10 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. Since amethyst is fairly durable, it’s excellent for everyday wear in rings, earrings, necklaces, or bracelets. However, while amethyst is relatively rugged, you should still take care to keep it away from abrasive materials, since it can still get scratched. You should also avoid exposing amethyst to harsh chemicals (including household cleaners), since they can sometimes damage an amethyst gemstone. If you want to clean your amethyst jewelry at home, know that you don’t need any harsh cleaners to keep your amethyst jewelry sparkling. You can simply clean your amethyst jewelry with warm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth or a soft toothbrush.

Final Thoughts

There you have it: everything you need to know about the alluring amethyst! Can’t get enough of this enchanting gemstone? View our full collection of purple amethyst engagement rings.

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January 31, 2020 diamondwish

Classic Blue Jewelry: 2020 Pantone Color of the Year

Classic Blue Jewelry: 2020 Pantone Color of the Year

Pantone’s 2020 Color of the Year is the beautiful Classic Blue, a deep shade of true blue. Pantone describes Classic Blue as “reminiscent of the sky at dusk.” Though, to us, it’s also reminiscent of some of our favorite gemstones! The calming, timeless color of Classic Blue is perfectly reflected in blue sapphires and London Blue topaz, two gemstones that have a timelessness of their own. These blue gemstones have long been associated with royalty, loyalty, faith, and stability. The meaning of blue sapphires and blue topaz fit perfectly with Pantone’s description of Classic Blue as a “reassuring, dependable, and stable” color.

Looking to add a bit of the Color of the Year’s calming elegance to your jewelry box? Read on to see some of our favorite ways to wear Classic Blue. 

Classic Blue Sapphire Rings

Blue sapphires perfectly echo the color of the sky at dusk, just like Classic Blue. One of our favorite ways to wear a classic blue sapphire is in an elegant sapphire ring that features diamond accents. White diamonds beautifully complement the depth of a blue sapphire. A white diamond’s bright, shimmering radiance makes a blue sapphire look even more rich and colorful.

Classic halo settings, which follow the shape of a piece’s center stone, are a lovely choice for sapphire jewelry. Then, another stunning option is a floral diamond halo, like the one pictured above. Floral halos are a romantic, timeless choice for a sapphire engagement ring or a sapphire cocktail ring. While floral halos are always a classic option, they’ve been even more popular in recent years, thanks to Kate Middleton’s blue sapphire engagement ring, which features a floral halo setting.

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Classic Blue Sapphire Stud Earrings

Solitaire stud earrings are a chic and sophisticated way to wear a classic blue sapphire. A pair of blue sapphire studs can add the perfect pop of color to any ensemble. For a more modern or streamlined look, we recommend going with a bezel setting for your blue sapphire studs, as seen above. For a more classic look, opt for a four prong basket setting. Then, if you want a more glamorous effect, we recommend forgoing a solitaire setting and selecting a halo setting that will give you added brilliance.

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Classic Blue Topaz Engagement Rings

Blue topaz ranges in color from a clear, sky blue to a deep, midnight blue. London Blue topaz, the deepest shade of blue topaz, is the color that best emulates Pantone’s Classic Blue.

London Blue topaz looks gorgeous in many types of jewelry. However, we will say that one of our current favorites types of London Blue topaz jewelry is a London Blue topaz engagement ring. Blue topaz is associated with calmness, peacefulness, and inspiration, which makes it a lovely and meaningful choice for your engagement ring.

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Classic Blue Sapphire Pendant Necklace

Last up in our list of Classic Blue jewelry, we have blue sapphire pendants. A blue sapphire pendant is incredibly elegant, classic, and beautiful. A blue sapphire necklace can be worn on its own to add a touch of timeless elegance to an outfit. Or, it can also add a gorgeous pop of color to an intricate layered look.

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