5 Diamond-Alternative Engagement Rings We Love

May 17

Moissanite is a girl’s best friend

Love comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors, so who is to say the stone that symbolizes this most-important emotion must be any particular kind, carat, cut, or clarity? White diamonds will forever be a classic choice, but today’s designers offer engagement rings in an array of gems, so happy couples can choose one that truly suits their personal style, vibe, and of course, budget. Here’s to a ring as unique and special as your love—mazel tov!

White Sapphire

At first glance, most people can’t tell the difference between a diamond and a white sapphire. Both are prized for their rarity, and just like diamonds, white sapphires are judged by their colorlessness, clarity, and precision of cutting. When it comes to carats, however, the differences begin—not least is cost. Above 1.5 carats, the price of a diamond rises steeply, thanks in part to the difficulty in sourcing these stones in substantial sizes (not to mention decades of deeply ingrained marketing messages from the diamond industry). White sapphires of significant size are markedly less expensive. And as a bonus for brides who don’t love bold bling, white sapphires give off a silvery sparkle that’s a bit more subtle than a diamond’s fire.

Blue Sapphire

While we’re on the subject of sapphires, the stone’s eponymous blue hue is also a popular pick for modern brides (including, famously, Princess Diana, and now Kate Middleton, who wears the late Lady Di’s ring). Sapphires are said to attract abundance, blessings, and balance, making them the perfect “something blue” to guide brides to good luck on their wedding day.

Suna ring in platinum with sapphire and diamonds, $8,700 at Schiffman’s Jewelers
*This item is sold out.

Moissanite

An increasing number of couples are considering moissanite as the centerpiece of their engagement ring, but the relative newness of this material in the wedding world might leave you wondering what it even is. This rare stone is the naturally-occuring mineral form of silicon carbide, first discovered in 1893 by French chemist Henri Moissan while exploring a meteor crater. (Fun fact: grains of the same stuff found in a more recent meteor indicate origin from beyond our solar system—far out!). But it was the company Charles & Colvard that first created lab-grown moissanite and introduced it to the realm of fine jewelry. According to the brand, lab-created moissanite has both more brilliance and more fire than diamonds, making it a premium (not to mention sustainable) pick for those who want their ring to really shine.

Morganite

When Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck got engaged (the first time), her pink diamond was estimated to be worth around $2.5 million. Blake Lively’s blush-toned bling totaled another $2 M’s. Yes, colored diamonds are undeniably “fancy,” but for brides thinking pink on a budget, morganite is a brilliant choice. Named for famed financier (and notable gem-collector) J.P. Morgan, morganites are the rose-hued range of the mineral beryl, making them, essentially, pink emeralds. Valued for the quality of their color, as an added bonus, morganite’s peachy cast is gorgeously flattering against all skin tones.

Lab-Created Diamonds

From the lower cost to the lessened impact on the environment, contemporary couples are considering lab-grown diamonds for all kinds of reasons. Identical to their mined counterparts in every way except origin (including chemical composition, physical properties, and optical appearance), as the name suggests these sparklers are grown in laboratory settings, eliminating the need for disturbing the earth and with a drastic reduction in carbon footprint. A less labor-intensive process also means lower production costs, and these big-time savings get passed along to the buyer at the retail level. TLDR: better for the planet, better for your budget, still the bright, shiny diamond of your dreams (win-win-win).

Aether “Ascent” engagement ring in 18k rose gold with positive-impact diamonds, from $9,900 at Aether

Wordsmith: Rebecca Daly

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