The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Your Engagement Ring Center Stone
Introduction
Engagement rings have become a universal symbol of eternal love and devotion and finding the perfect one can be an arduous task. So many elements make up an engagement ring, but the star is the center stone. Diamonds have popularly been used as center stones in engagement rings. However, there are several other options available today to match your desired look and budget! There is a stone to catch everyone’s heart, from diamonds to gemstones. This guide will help you confidently navigate options and alternatives when choosing the perfect engagement ring center stone.
For those inclined towards the classic diamond, apart from the shape or colour, they might need to consider whether they would opt for a naturally mined diamond or a lab-created one.
Engagement Ring Center Stone- Options and Alternatives
DIAMONDS
Natural-Mined Diamonds
Diamonds have become synonymous with marital promise. Most naturally occurring diamonds on the market today were formed deep under the Earth’s surface. Diamonds are the hardest natural substance on earth; their durability, brilliance, rarity, and globally recognised value make this stone popular. You will need to pay attention to the 4C’s. The 4C’s are the cut, colour, clarity, and carat; these qualities define the value and, in some cases, the beauty of the diamond.
Pros:
I. Diamonds being the hardest substance, are durable
II. Their brilliance can outshine other stones
III. They can be considered an investment
Cons:
I. It’s important to note that the rarity of a naturally occurring diamond is growing, and so is the cost. Diamond can be prohibitively expensive.
II. Diamond mining can cause indelible damage to the earth and may not be sustainable in the long run.
Lab-Created Diamonds
Some might believe that rare is real and that the sentiment attached to a naturally occurring diamond cannot be replicated. Even if the sentiment can’t, a diamond can undoubtedly be. Over the past few years, diamonds have been successfully grown in controlled laboratory settings. Lab-grown diamonds are just as real as mined diamonds. Both natural and lab-created diamonds share the same physical and chemical properties. The same 4Cs are used to determine their quality.
Advantages of Lab created diamonds:
- • If you choose a lab-created diamond as your center stone, you will have all the benefits of a naturally mined diamond at a lower expense.
- • These lab-grown diamonds are created ethically and have a lower environmental impact.
- Cons:
- • One of the considerations when buying a lab-created diamond is their value; although they are the same as naturally mined diamonds physically and chemically, they are not rare. Hence, due to the principles of supply and demand, the value of naturally occurring diamonds is more. The return on investment in a lab-created diamond may not yield as much as a natural diamond.
DIAMOND ALTERNATIVES
As mentioned before, several alternatives to diamonds are available for your choosing. Many prefer to opt for these alternatives not just because of the cost but also their uniqueness. The closest alternative to a diamond would be a white sapphire or moissanite.
I. White Sapphire
When one thinks of sapphire, blue comes to mind, but this precious gemstone comes in other colours. White Sapphire is a popular alternative to diamonds. Like naturally occurring diamonds, it is durable and mined. There is a slight visual difference; although white sapphires are colourless like diamonds, they differ considerably in their brilliance or sparkle. A white sapphires sparkle is silvery-white grey, whereas a diamond’s sparkle is a rainbowed colour. Sapphires, like most naturally mined stones, contain inclusions.
Pros:
• If you’re looking for something elegant, durable, and a naturally occurring diamond alternative, white sapphire is for you.
Cons:
• The only drawbacks are the muted brilliance compared to a diamond, and they also require frequent cleaning. If you choose a white sapphire as your engagement ring center stone, you must try to pick the most transparent one possible and the one that appears cleanest to the eye.
Popular Cuts
The most popular cut or shape for white sapphires used on engagement rings is round. However, as it’s the closest naturally occurring gemstone to the diamond, it can be crafted into various shapes while retaining its durability and subtle beauty.
II. Moissanite
Another alternative to a diamond, as well as white sapphire, is the Moissanite. While white sapphires naturally occur, the moissanite is created in a lab.
Pros:
• Apart from this gemstone's considerably lower environmental and ethical ramifications, the most significant advantage for potential buyers is its price. If you want a large carat white gemstone but don’t have the budget for a large diamond, the moissanite is the perfect gemstone.
• It is slightly softer than a diamond, but this white gemstone is durable and perfect for engagement rings as it doesn’t scratch so easily.
• The most apparent difference between a diamond and a white sapphire is that the moissanite has more brilliance than either. The brilliance results from its structure; it is double refractive, unlike a single refracted diamond.
Cons:
• Moissanite, unlike lab-created diamonds, is made up of entirely different elements; thus, it can never be considered a diamond.
• Although moissanite is more brilliant than a diamond, it cannot replicate the stunning white sparkle.
Popular Cuts
The moissanite is cut differently from a diamond to enhance the sparkle due to its double refractive structure. Round cuts allow for intense sparkle, making the stone look bigger. Other shapes tend to do the same; as long as the stone isn’t poorly cut, you will get the most bang for your buck!
GEMSTONE ENGAGEMENT RINGS
Not everyone wants the traditional diamond or a diamond alternative. If you are someone who gravitates toward the unconventional, precious stones or gemstones like sapphires, emeralds and rubies will make the perfect center stones.
Precious Stones
Not everyone wants the traditional diamond or a diamond alternative. If you are someone who gravitates toward the unconventional, precious stones or gemstones like sapphires, emeralds and rubies will make the perfect center stones.
I. Sapphire Engagement Rings
When it comes to precious gemstones as center stones for engagement rings, sapphires seem to be the most popular. They are a stunning example of an untraditional yet classic and elegant expression of design and sentiment. Unlike diamonds, known for their brilliance, sapphires are sort after because of the variety of colours and hues, from rich blues to champagne, orange, green, and white. However, the most popular colour must be blue, popularised by icons like Princess Diana.
Apart from their lovely hues, Sapphires are also very durable; they might not be resistant to wear over the years, but you can always have your sapphire resurfaced. The cost of sapphire can vary depending on the carat, colour and shape of the stone.
The most important is the colour of the sapphire, the more vibrant the colour is, the more it costs, but as soon as it gets too dark, the price drops. Like most naturally occurring gemstones, sapphires also have inclusions. If the inclusions are not visible to the naked eye, they will not take away from the beauty of the stone.
Popular Cuts
Sapphires can be cut in any shape. However, an elongated cushion or oval tends to follow the natural form of the rock and shows off the vibrant colour best.
II. Emerald Engagement Rings
If you decide to spring for a coloured gemstone as your center stone for the engagement ring, you will come across the green emerald. If your taste favours the bold or the subtle, the emerald is the perfect stone. It comes in a variety of styles to suit your preference. Like sapphires, emeralds can also have some inclusions; however, many jewellers believe that these can contribute to the beauty of the stone.
If you choose the emerald, the only drawback would be that they are softer than most other precious stones, making them difficult to cut. Nonetheless, this stone can be carved into various shapes in an expert's hand.
Popular Cuts
The most popular cut demanded for this center stone is the emerald cut. This cut was designed to be gentle on emeralds because of their soft nature.
III. Ruby Engagement Rings
The ruby is another precious gemstone favoured as a center stone for engagement rings. This intense, richly coloured stone is said to represent desire. Rubies tend to be a harder stone than most, especially in comparison to emeralds; thus, if you’re looking for a durable stone for your engagement ring, this is for you. The colour is the most critical aspect when choosing ruby as the center stone. The more richly red and clearer the ruby, the more value it holds. Natural, high-quality rubies are rarer than diamonds and thus are considerably higher in value.
Popular Cuts
The most popular cut is the round cut. The round cut allows creative metalwork such as floral or nature-inspired metal designs. Round rubies have the highest value because they result in the most wastage. Other cuts like the princess, cushion and oval are also popular and make beautiful vintage style engagement rings.
Semi-Precious Stones
The above four gems are considered precious stones; while these may be the most popular and might hold more value, you will come across semi-precious stones if you are set on finding the unconventional. Stones like topaz, amethyst, and aquamarine are increasingly acquired for engagement rings.
Pros
Each stone has its distinct colour, like the topaz; although colourless, its imperfection can create blue, pink, red, and orange hues in the stone. And like precious stones, the beauty of semi-precious stones can be enhanced through their cuts; for example, aquamarine, if well cut, can appear dazzling; they have a stunning clarity that makes them look luxurious.
Cons
The only downside of these stones is that they are softer and may not be as durable as other precious stones.
This guide has set forth options and alternatives for center stones of engagement rings. The star of the ring show should solely depend on your preference and your budget. No matter what stone, the ring you choose reflects your love as a couple.
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