3 Diamond Engagement Ring Alternatives for the Unique Bride to Be

Diamond engagement rings are traditionally viewed as the ultimate symbol of a man’s devotion and intent to marry. However, let’s face it: most modern women are anything but traditional. We’ve all come a long way from when the diamond engagement ring was first marketed. Nowadays, more brides-to-be prefer an accessory that’s a little off-beat—or something that isn’t an accessory at all—to remember their engagement by. Check out our list of equally fantastic and elegant alternatives to the traditional diamond engagement ring:

Coloured Stones
Coloured stones are a terrific alternative to diamonds. They’re just as stunning but don't cost an arm and a leg to procure. They're also a great choice for brides-to-be who don't consider themselves to be women of conventional tastes but still would like to wear a ring to signify her upcoming nuptials. Should you choose to go with a coloured gemstone, it's imperative to consider its durability. Diamonds are extremely resilient, making them suitable for everyday wear, as is the case with an engagement ring. The stone you choose should also be able to withstand the rigours of your soon-to-be fiancée’s lifestyle and career.

Gemstone hardness is graded according to the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, the industry standard for rating a gem’s durability. The ordinal scale puts talc at 1 to represent the softest of minerals and diamonds at 10 for the hardest. For an accessory meant to be worn every day, stones between grades 7 to 10 on the scale are preferable.
Popular gems to consider in place of diamonds include sapphires, rubies, emeralds, amethysts, and the recently trendy morganite. You can also choose a gemstone rated lower than 7 on the Mohs scale such as pearls or opals, so long as you can choose a bezel setting that keeps it well-protected.

Colourless Non-Diamonds
For women who enjoy the brilliance and versatility of colourless stones but don’t want a diamond for whatever reason, a colourless non-diamond gemstone is the perfect compromise. For instance, some sapphires come clear—and to the untrained eye, are visually identical to diamonds. Other popular precious stones that can be white or colourless include topaz, moissanite, garnet, and spinel. Of these, the moissanite is considered the closest thing to a real diamond in terms of resilience and durability, graded a 9.5 on the Mohs scale.

A list of where to buy sapphire rings in New Zealand should be easy to find online. Ask online and brick-and-mortar jewellers alike if they have any non-diamond white or colourless stone engagement rings available for you to peruse.

Anything but a Ring
A truly revolutionary bride-to-be would balk at the concept of rings entirely, and she should be able to. Perhaps a ring would be cumbersome for the life she leads or her profession. In that case, consider looking into other pieces of jewellery such as necklaces or lockets. Perhaps she’d rather put the money you’ll be spending on an engagement ring towards something more meaningful, such as an overseas holiday to a country you’ve both always dreamed of visiting, or on a practical expense such as a down payment towards a new car or house. Before you do anything, though, it’s always a good idea to talk to your partner about it. Anxious about spoiling the surprise? Don’t worry, that’s an antiquated notion, too.
The idea that you must commemorate your engagement with a ring and only a ring is a concept of the past. You can commemorate the occasion with anything you want, whether it’s a nice pre-nuptial photo shoot or with matching tattoos. What matters is that the purchase is something that you’re both happy with.