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Explore sustainable and stunning alternative gemstones complementing our engagement rings. This guide dives into the unique properties and meanings of each stone while exploring their fascinating beauty and how to keep them looking their best.
Diamonds might always be the classic choice when we speak of engagement rings, but who says it’s the only choice you have? Diamonds are not the only gems that sparkle. There’s actually a whole world of different gemstones with unique aesthetics, properties and symbolic meanings, all waiting to be discovered. These stones are perfect diamond alternatives that are just as unique, beautiful, durable and sparkly in their own way.
If you are looking for something different and more affordable but don’t know where to look, here is our comprehensive unique gemstones guide. We’ve gathered all our alternative engagement ring gemstones in a single place to help you find your sparkle easily.
Opals are formed through a geological process involving acidic weathering of rocks or precipitation with silica filling the rock cracks and cavities. Solid silica treasures then get compressed and transform into opals over time. We know opals by their ability to reflect a colorful play of light unlike any other gem. These remarkable stones show a flashy play of colors that looks like a painting painted by nature itself. All these colors dance and flicker as if a miniature rainbow is captured within the stone. Just like diamonds, no two opals are exactly alike, which makes them equally unique and beautiful. When cut and polished, these fiery stones can turn into versatile, stylish and unique gemstone jewelry pieces and make a perfect choice for unconventional engagement rings.
Meaning and Symbolism: The history of opal dates all the way back to the Middle Ages. Ever since, many cultures have viewed them as healing stones. They are thought to improve awareness and clear out negativity, which makes them a perfect fit for meditation or other spiritual practices. Opals are also believed to help conquer fears, anxiety and insecurities.
Hardness: Opal gets 6 on the Mohs hardness scale, which means it is soft and requires a little bit of extra care and attention.
Caring for Your Rainbow: To keep your opal stone looking its best, it's wise to store it in moderate temperature and humidity levels. A soft jewelry box will do. For routine cleaning, a gentle wipe with the classic warm water and soft soap mixture works well. We do not recommend soaking though, because opals can be sensitive to moisture.
Moonstones are known for their blue or milky white shimmer radiating a characteristic moonlight-like sheen, true to their name. They are formed as a result of solidification of magma and certain minerals such as orthoclase and albite. These minerals form incredibly thin layers that stack upon each other, and it's actually these very layers that give moonstone moonlight glow. They are like glowing from within, giving a vibe not too flashy but definitely not too simple either. Its unique aesthetic makes moonstone a popular and versatile choice for engagement rings.
Meaning and Symbolism: Moonstone is considered the stone of new beginnings. It's believed to guide wearers as they begin new journeys and accompany them through excitement and joy. Lunar cycles, emotional balance, intuition, fertility and self-discovery are also among the concepts associated with it. Wearers usually say they can feel the strong energy pull coming from the stone when worn, just like the moon's gravitational attractions.
Hardness: Moonstone gets 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, which means it’s soft and should be handled with care as it can be prone to chipping.
Caring for Your Moonshine: Due to its softness, you should be careful with your moonstone jewelry and not expose it to chemicals and any kind of damage. Cleaning steps are the same as with many other gems. You can use a simple soap and water mix but instead of brushing, you can swab it with a soft cloth.
A variety of chalcedony, moss agate gems have been formed as fragments of sedimentary or volcanic rock weathering over years. These beautiful stones are famous for their connection to the natural world because they visually hold nature within. Green-colored minerals within moss agate form inclusions that resemble moss, leaves or even lush green trees. It looks like a soft marble with these darker green landscapes trapped inside. The refreshing green tones and resemblance to natural scenes make moss agate the go-to gem for nature-inspired jewelry. It perfectly complements an engagement ring setting, too.
Meaning and Symbolism: Moss agate can be a wonderful companion that brings the calming energy of nature close at hand. Its presence is believed to bring peace and ease any difficulties you might be going through in your life. Even more, this stone is said to promote emotional balance and stability, while adding a spark of joy and liveliness to your mood when you keep it close. Moss agate supports your overall well-being and keeps you prepared to embrace life to the fullest.
Hardness: Moss agate has 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, which means it's relatively hard and suitable for jewelry to be worn every day.
Keeping it Evergreen: Caring for your moss agate is quite simple. Gently cleansing it with warm, soapy water with a soft brush or cloth will remove any dirt or build-up that might dull its luster. To ensure its longevity, it’s also always wise to keep it away from harsh chemicals and ultrasonic cleaners that could potentially damage the stone.
Alexandrite is one of the rarest and most valuable gemstones on Earth, known for its fascinating ability to shift from green to a reddish-purple depending on the light. This color shifting effect sets alexandrite apart from other gemstones. Because of its rarity and unusual beauty, getting our hands on natural alexandrite is quite difficult and expensive. The good news is that modern technology has allowed us to create lab-grown alexandrite that displays the same beauty and brilliance as the natural stone. These lab-created alexandrites have the same exact optical, physical and even chemical properties as mined ones. They are every bit as real with flawless composition and carry the same energy as the natural ones. Lab-created alexandrite also offers a sustainable, ethical and more affordable choice because they're not mined. All these factors make lab-grown alexandrite a unique and special choice for your jewelry, including your engagement rings.
Meaning and Symbolism: Alexandrite is said to bring balance and good luck to its wearer. Mythologically, it is thought to promote harmony between the physical and spiritual realms. This fosters both clarity and intuition, which can spark creativity and personal growth. It serves as a beautiful reminder to embrace change and find joy in all life's transformations.
Hardness: Lab-grown alexandrite is a very tough gemstone that ranks at an impressive 8.5 out of 10 on the Mohs scale.
Caring for Your Color-Shifter: Just like any precious piece, give it a quick soak in warm, soapy water for cleaning. Dry it completely with a soft cloth before wearing it again. When you're not wearing it, store it in a soft pouch to prevent any scratches.
Have you ever found yourself looking at a clear, starry night sky and feeling a sense of calm surrounding you? That same feeling of peace and tranquility can be yours close by with blue sandstone. Its alluring blue hues and sparkling flecks resembling a starry night sky can bring a sense of serenity and joy to any space. You might be surprised but this beautiful stone isn't actually a natural crystal, but rather a human-made creation crafted from glass, cobalt and sand quartz. However, this doesn’t take away from its value or the unique energy it brings at all. It shines beautifully in jewelry, especially in an engagement ring setting.
Meaning and Symbolism: Blue sandstone is a lucky charm, believed to bring your dreams and goals to life. It's also believed to be a powerful stone boosting ambition and confidence. So, if you're working towards something big, keep a piece of blue sandstone nearby for extra motivation. Whenever you need a confidence boost or feel self-doubt creeping in, hold a piece of blue sandstone. If you're going through a tough time, carrying blue sandstone with you can help uplift the positive energy around you.
Hardness: Blue sandstone is rated 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, which makes it relatively hard and durable.
Keeping Your Stone Sparkly: Caring for your beautiful blue sandstone jewelry is quite easy. Avoid wearing it in water or exposing it to harsh chemicals like lotions or cleaning products. Gently wipe it clean with a soft cloth after wearing to remove dust and sweat.
Peach morganite offers a lovely blush pink look that fades into a soft, summery orange. This gorgeous gemstone belongs to the same family as emeralds and aquamarines, but with a lighter, more romantic vibe. Peach morganite forms in pegmatites, magmatic rock formations known for containing large crystals. It's the manganese in its composition that plays the key role in its rosy charm. Peach morganite is a beautiful alternative to diamonds for someone who desires a softer, more romantic feel. That’s why it makes a fantastic choice for engagement rings, and any other jewelry piece out there.
Meaning and Symbolism: Love comes in all shapes and sizes, and the symbolism of peach morganite beautifully reflects that feeling. The lovely pink hues of peach morganite give a sense of warmth and compassion. It symbolizes the softer side of love, self-love and the deep affection and understanding that form the foundation of a strong relationship. Peach morganite is also associated with commitment. Its enduring beauty speaks to the longevity of love, a promise to walk alongside your other half forever.
Hardness: Peach morganite ranks between 7.5 and 8 on the Mohs scale. Its relative hardness makes it a versatile and durable stone, suitable for jewelry use.
Gentle Care for a Gentle Gem: Avoid exposing your peach morganite to household cleaners, body lotions or chlorine. For a safe clean, soak it in warm, soapy water for a few minutes. A soft toothbrush can gently remove any dirt and dust. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a soft cloth. It’s also wise to avoid exposing it to extreme heat, sudden temperature changes, or direct sunlight for extended periods. This can cause cracks or fractures in the gemstone.
Black rutilated quartz is another captivating gemstone full of character. Molten rock deep within the earth's crust cools, crystallizes and forms shadowy, black rutilated quartz, one of the most unique varieties of quartz. This enigmatic darkness is then brightened by slender, needle-like inclusions of rutile mineral darker in color. It has a deep, inky black tone that seems to hold the universe within. Its interplay of light and shadow and the unity of solid and sparkle make black rutilated quartz a gem like no other. If you are looking for a special engagement ring for your special moment, black rutilated quartz offers a perfectly unique expression.
Meaning and Symbolism: Quartz is a powerful crystal that is believed to affect our emotional and spiritual well-being. That’s why it is also commonly used for meditation purposes. It’s the recipe for those who are seeking guidance, protection or healing. Even more, it is thought to attract positive energy, bring calmness and help overcome stress by tapping into one’s strengths and confidence.
Hardness: At 6-7.5 on the Mohs scale, black rutilated quartz is a durable stone resistant to usual everyday wear and tear.
Keeping Your Darkness Sparkling: To keep it sparkling clean, you can wash your black rutilated quartz with warm water and a gentle soap. Just be sure to dry it thoroughly afterwards. It’s also important to keep your stone out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources, as it might get damaged internally.
At Eternate, we know love stories come in all colors and sparkle in their own way. That's why we handcraft stunning engagement rings with unique gemstones to let them shine beside you. From flashy opals to soft, romantic peach morganites, each ring brings out the natural beauty of each stone and sets your story apart. With brilliant designs and the beauty of gemstones, they're a special and unique way to pop the question for sure.
We've highlighted some extraordinary alternative gemstones, but it doesn't stop there. At Eternate, we also carry birthstones, which are equally beautiful, unique and meaningful. Birthstones are a fun way to add personality and a splash of color to your everyday jewelry. Each birthstone is linked to a month and has its own special meaning, which you can explore in our birthstone guide. We have a lovely collection featuring a wide variety of birthstones, from the deep purple amethyst to the fiery red garnet and just about everything in between.
Uniqueness in gemstones can come from a few things: rarity, beauty and interesting properties. Some gemstones have unique characteristics that set them apart. Opals, for instance, are known for their incredible play-of-color feature. Similarly, alexandrite changes color depending on the light source. The rarity of some stones can also make them unique, such as natural Alexandrite and colored diamonds.
Some factors make gemstones unique. One of these factors is their chemical composition which affects their color, clarity and even how light interacts with it. The long formation periods and the marks of these periods can also make gemstones unique. Tiny minerals trapped within the gemstone for instance can actually add character and tell the story of a gemstone's formation. The scarcity, coupled with their inherent beauty, makes them even more captivating, unique and sought-after.
Not every gemstone is unique, but they all have their own special characteristics and no two are exactly alike. Even within the same type of gemstone you can find a range of colors and hues. Upon closer inspection, you'd likely see their distinct personalities shine through, making every single gemstone unique in their own way.
It depends on what makes a gem special to you and how you define uniqueness. If it is based on rarity, gemstones like alexandrite, garnet and topaz might be considered the most unique. If it is down to how they look and their properties, gems like opal, moss agate and diamond can be the answer. It really comes down to your choice and what feels the most unique to you.
Painite holds the title of being the rarest mineral on Earth.