Non-diamond engagement rings are all the rage lately—more and more couples are foregoing traditional diamond engagement rings in favour of unique pieces made with alternative gemstones and unconventional materials. It’s not just a trend-driven choice; people are gravitating towards alternative engagement rings as a conscientious, environment-friendly option that also happens to be more reasonably priced than the average diamond ring.

If you think that your engagement is best represented by a unique ring, read on below for our definitive guide on how to choose the perfect one:

Establish a Budget

The first step to buying an engagement ring is figuring out just how much you’re willing to spend on it. While it’s true that alternative engagement rings are cheaper than diamond rings in general, it’s still a good idea to have a specific number in mind that takes your financial situation into account. This doesn’t just help prevent you from overspending, it also helps narrow the choices down, making the selection process much easier.

Choose the Centrepiece

Picking out a centrepiece is often the most fun part of ring shopping, but the sheer variety of choices can be overwhelming. Often, people choose a precious stone to take the place of the traditional diamond centre stone. Some couples veer away from gemstone rings entirely, incorporating designs into the band instead. Popular centrepiece designs include infinity symbols, knots, carvings, and engravings.

If you decide to go with a centre gemstone, you’ll want to select one that’s durable enough for daily wear. Every precious stone has a corresponding hardness factor based on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. For engagement rings, stones that register 7 or higher on that scale are recommended: amethysts, aquamarines, emeralds, sapphires, and garnets are safe and popular options that come in a variety of sizes, colours, and cuts. If you’re not sure where to buy sapphire rings in Australia, a list of reputable establishments should be easy to procure online.

Accents or No Accents?

There’s no reason not to incorporate diamonds into your non-diamond engagement ring if your budget allows for them. Smaller solitaire diamonds are often cheaper, and you can integrate them into the final ring design in a number of ways. They can be arranged around the centre stone like a halo, or set into the band in a pave or channel style that will surely make the centrepiece pop.

You don’t have to limit yourself to diamond accents. Mixing and matching gemstones is a perfectly acceptable practice, too. You can add a touch of significance to the engagement ring by choosing accent gemstones based on their meanings or picking out your partner’s parent’s birthstones.

Pick a Material for the Band

As with choosing a gemstone, you’ll want to pick a durable band material that suits your partner’s lifestyle. Gold, platinum and silver are classic options for a reason—they’re very resilient—but if you’re worried about sourcing or sustainability, you can opt for recycled metals instead. The only metal you might want to keep off your list is copper, which can leave an unsightly green tinge on the skin when it oxidises.

Since you’ve already gone for a non-traditional gemstone, you can also go with a non-traditional material for the ring band. Some couples don’t use metals at all; you can have bands fashioned out of all sorts of materials nowadays, including jade, tungsten carbide, wood, and even rubber.

The possibilities are endless when you go alternative with your engagement ring, and you can be sure that the end result will be unique and meaningful. If you can’t find the perfect ring or have chosen very uncommon materials, you may want to look into consulting with a goldsmith or jeweller about bringing your vision to life.