In the past couple of years, there has been a fashion for non-traditional engagement rings. That means that more men are buying non-traditional diamond engagement rings, and rings bearing different stones, like the bride’s birthstone are becoming more popular.
While many of these stones aren’t ideal for everyday wear, here’s a look at different options for non-traditional engagement rings.
Topaz Rings
Topaz comes in a variety of beautiful colours from orange, and blue to yellow and even colourless. Typically colourless stones are treated in a lab to add colour. Topaz is a strong stone and is the official birthstone for the month of November. It is a relatively inexpensive stone and a good choice for a bride on a budget.
Opal Rings
Opals are able to express a huge spectrum of colours and often you’ll notice multiple colours flashing across the stone, which is called a 'play of colours'. They’re perfect for the non-traditional bride who loves unusual stones. Opals are a soft stone so it is important to treat your opal carefully to avoid damaging it and remove your ring before gardening or housework for example. Some people believe opals can be damaged by water but this is only doublets and triplets (multiple layers glued together), not solid opals.
Amethyst Rings
Amethysts shine a stunning violet shade and is a variety of quartz. It’s the official February birthstone. The hardness of these stones can vary which makes it easy to cut it into a range of shapes like hearts, ovals, squares and much more. If you’re not keen on seeking out diamond engagement rings in Melbourne, an amethyst engagement ring could be ideal for your non-traditional bride. Amethysts are generally a cheaper stone to emerald, ruby and diamond and so make a cost-effective engagement ring when money is tight. They are also the birthstone of February so are great if you were born then.
Pearl Rings
Pearls are classified as organic gemstones. Pearls are unique since they’re formed within oysters – living creatures. These are the most valuable organic gemstones in the world and one of three recognised birthstones for June.
Pearls are simply breathtaking but are a soft substance and may not be the best choice for an engagement ring. Since pearls form naturally in a living mollusc they come in a huge array of shapes like oval, button, and drop.
Emerald Rings
Emeralds are extremely precious stones. Emeralds come in an illuminating green shade and are high in demand. Compared to some of the other stones, emeralds do well as everyday wear engagement rings as they are a fairly hard stone. They do, however, need special treatments such as periodical oiling to maintain their shine.
It’s worth the inconvenience though as emeralds will remain incredibly shiny. However, over time, too many of these treatments can damage the structural integrity of the gem and emeralds can start to crack or show big blemishes.
Diamonds
Diamonds are still a great choice. Diamonds are still the best stone for the perfect engagement ring - whether you are from London or New York, Paris or Melbourne. When it comes to day in and day out wear and durability, nothing beats these stones, as they are the hardest precious stone there is.
Diamonds can be worn all year round no matter how humid and hot the weather may be. As they are hard stones brides can feel at ease knowing their diamonds will truly stand the test of time. There’s no worrying about abrasions or cracks.
While alternative stone engagement rings might be popular with today’s non-traditional bride, nothing quite beats a timeless, classic diamond.
* This article was contributed by Media Buzzer
When we got married we bought a 'vintage' marcasite ring off ebay. It was supposed to be an antique, turn of the century. I loved it but within 4 months half the stones had fallen out! Hubby's just replaced it with a gorgeous three diamond platinum ring! :D I'm all for non-traditional (and my ring is certainly that)
ReplyDeleteWow it sounds like your new ring is gorgeous though!
DeleteI love that ring you have in the picture, green is such a great color x
ReplyDeleteThat emerald ring is certainly stunning.
DeleteNon traditional rings sound great and I would have to say though that I prefer the traditional type. Just a simple band with a couple of stones embedded in it. Wonder what sort of ring I would be getting when my time comes. Good to hear about the meanings behind certain stones, didn't know any of those things you shared.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds lovely as well Lorraine.
DeleteI love my traditional engagement ring but it's good that there is something for everyone.
ReplyDeleteSo many choices these days!
DeleteI love emeralds (my birth stone) and thought about having an emerald ring for my birthday. Bit shocked to find out that lots of the emerald rings in the jewellers (the big chains) aren't real emeralds but coloured glass and that the real stones seem to be a much paler green. You really need to use a specialist jeweller don't you if you're investing in beautiful stones like these.
ReplyDeleteI would go to a specialist when buying any expensive jewellery.
DeleteI have to say I love Tanzanite - its my favourite stone as it comes from Africa, otherwise Diamonds are always classic
ReplyDeleteLaura x
I love Tanzanite too, it is such pretty colour.
DeleteI love blue topaz . I have more of a traditional diamond engagement ring though, so durable, and it's worn always. :-)
ReplyDeleteI love blue topaz as well, it is a lovely colour stone.
DeleteAmethyst is my favourite gemstone (it's purple, so natch!) The jeweller talked me out of an amethyst for my engagement ring, but I am definitely having it in my eternity ring!! x
ReplyDeleteThat emerald ring in the picture is absolutely gorgeous. I love Amathysts as well.
ReplyDelete