With the often exorbitant cost of diamonds, sourcing an alternative stone for your engagement ring sometimes feels like the most viable option, especially in this economy.

But using a different type of rock doesn’t need to detract from your special moment. Choosing your own stone also allows you to select, craft and create a tailor-made engagement ring, and propose to the love of your life with a unique, one-of-a-kind piece they’ll treasure for life. 

Here’s our guide to alternative stones for unique engagement rings. 

Opals

With their distinctively vibrant blue hue, naturally occurring opals have been located in various parts of the world, including Brazil, Mexico, and parts of the United States. Despite this, they’re predominantly found in Australia.  As the front-running international producer and distributor of this unique, precious gemstone, Australia provides the world with about 95% of its opal supply.

This is great news for Australians. Not only does choosing to set an engagement ring with an opal allow for the creation of a unique, distinctive look, but you’d also be paying homage to a  precious natural resource grown in our own backyard. 

Pearls 

While the chic yet understated pearl has long been the marker of what’s now known as ‘quiet luxury’, pearls are experiencing somewhat of a resurgence in modern-day fashion. Call it a ‘Pearlaissance’, affirms popular global fashion magazine, Elle. 

This is especially true in China, where Chinese youth are hungry for the chance to purchase a piece of their own crafted from the classic white gemstones. As a result, pearl jewellery sales in China have increased by billions of dollars, making pearls a highly coveted diamond alternative.

For engagement pieces, a white pearl set in a simple setting of white gold makes for a timeless alternative to a traditional diamond ring. 

Rubies 

Reminiscent of Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz’s ruby slippers, an engagement ring crafted with a deep crimson setting is surely a sight to behold. Certainly a statement piece, a ruby engagement ring is not for the faint of heart. But if your loved one has a passionate, fiery, spicy disposition (or even if they just love the colour red), it could be an excellent choice. 

A word of advice: if you are going for an attention-grabbing ruby, consider offsetting it with a simple, thin band of yellow gold. Anything more flashy will simply take away from the beauty and uniqueness of the ruby stone you’ve chosen to set the engagement ring with. 

Emeralds 

If the love of your life loves green, consider sourcing an emerald gemstone for their engagement piece. Just as eye-catching as a ruby ring, setting your future spouse’s ring with an emerald is a unique way to demonstrate your adoration. 

Indeed, emeralds typically symbolise enduring love, fidelity and loyalty, making them the perfect choice to seal your intention to spend the rest of your life together. 

Sapphire 

If you’re looking for something truly special, perhaps think about a sapphire ‘toi et moi’ ring design. This type of engagement ring is especially appropriate if you’re not sure exactly which stone to choose.

The beauty of a ‘toi et moi’ design is that it contains not one, but two stones, set side by side. Literally translating to ‘you and me’, this ring design allows the wearer to explore coupling two different stones. Consider pairing a sapphire with a topaz, for example, to maximise the blueness of the setting. Or, offset the sapphire’s navy hue with a gemstone in another shade, like a bright, zesty yellow citrine. 

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So there we have it; our guide to selecting an alternative stone for your loved one’s engagement ring. As we’ve discussed today, your options for engagement pieces are not limited to over-priced, over-rated diamonds. No, there is an abundance of unique, precious gemstones you can choose from instead, to create the perfect piece to propose with.

From Australian opals and pearls to vibrantly coloured rubies, emeralds and sapphires, the options are almost endless. As long as you’re choosing the appropriate stone for their taste, you can ensure your future spouse enjoys a ring like no one else, a one-of-a-kind piece that’s just as unique and special as they are.