A kiss on the hand may be quite continental, but engagement rings mean diamonds, right?
Diamonds are the go-to engagement stone, and we won’t pretend that’s not for good reason. They come in a range of colors but are generally neutral-toned; they’re hard-wearing, and they have a ton of sparkle.
With that said, diamonds aren’t the only option for how to make an engagement ring special, and many couples are now opting for less traditional gems.
Sapphires and rubies are examples of stones that make for striking alternatives to diamond engagement rings, and depending on the symbolism of the stone you choose, it can make your engagement ring design extra special.
However, you need to keep an eye on durability.
If all goes well, your beloved will have this ring for the rest of her life. It takes a hard-wearing gemstone to weather this kind of wear, and not all stones are this durable.
Diamonds rank as a 10 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, meaning they’re unlikely to be scratched by regular wear, but the same cannot be said for lower-scoring stones like moonstone or opal.
We’re not saying you should abandon your vision for a unique custom engagement ring, but you should ask your jeweler’s advice on how to make it a reality. How can you achieve the look you want with the durability necessary to suit your fiancée’s lifestyle? This question should be front-of-mind when creating a custom engagement ring.