For most of the twentieth century, the engagement ring conversation began and ended with diamonds. The diamond solitaire became so dominant in popular culture that for many people it simply is the engagement ring — the default, the template, the standard.
But that story has always been incomplete. In Persian, Indian, and many European traditions, coloured gemstones have been central to fine jewelry for centuries. Sapphires, rubies, and emeralds carry deep symbolic meaning, extraordinary visual presence, and histories as rich as any diamond. And in recent years, as people have sought more personal and culturally resonant jewelry, coloured stone engagement rings have moved firmly into the mainstream.
This guide walks through what you need to know to make an honest comparison — not to advocate for one over the other, but to help you understand what each brings so you can choose the stone that's right for your ring and your story.
The Case for Diamonds
Diamonds are the hardest natural substance on earth, scoring a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. This makes them uniquely suited to a ring that will be worn every day for decades — they resist scratching from virtually any material encountered in daily life.
A well-cut diamond's relationship with light is unmatched by any other gemstone. The way a diamond refracts, disperses, and returns light — what jewelers call fire, brilliance, and scintillation — is a product of both the stone's crystalline structure and the precision of the cut. In different lighting conditions, a diamond performs differently, which is part of what makes them so endlessly interesting to wear.
Diamonds are also colourless (or near-colourless), which makes them extraordinarily versatile — they work in any metal, with any aesthetic, in any era. A diamond that looks beautiful today will look beautiful in fifty years, with no stylistic risk.
The Case for Coloured Gemstones
Coloured gemstones offer something diamonds, by their very nature, can't: vivid, specific colour — and everything that colour carries with it symbolically and aesthetically.
Sapphires are the most popular alternative to diamonds for engagement rings. Blue sapphires, in particular, have a depth and richness that photographs exceptionally well and ages beautifully. They score a 9 on the Mohs scale — extremely durable for daily wear. Sapphires also come in pink, yellow, white, and green, giving significant design flexibility.
Rubies are the red variety of corundum — the same mineral family as sapphires — and share their exceptional durability. A fine ruby has a warmth and intensity that is unlike any other stone. In Persian and South Asian cultures, rubies carry enormous symbolic weight as stones of passion, vitality, and good fortune.
Emeralds are distinctly different from diamonds and corundum stones. Their rich green colour is unmatched, but they are softer (7.5–8 on Mohs) and almost always contain natural inclusions — which the trade calls a 'jardin,' or garden. Emeralds require more careful daily wear but offer a colour and personality that nothing else replicates.
Morganite has surged in popularity in recent years — its soft peachy-pink tone pairs beautifully with rose gold and reads as romantic and contemporary. It's more affordable than sapphires or rubies of comparable size, making it an excellent choice for larger centre stones.
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The right stone isn't the most expensive or the most conventional — it's the one that carries the most meaning for the person who will wear it. |
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Durability: What You Need to Know for Daily Wear
If a ring will be worn every single day, durability is a genuine consideration. The Mohs hardness scale measures resistance to scratching — and for an engagement ring, harder is generally more practical.
Diamonds (10) and sapphires/rubies (9) are both excellent choices for daily wear rings with minimal maintenance concerns. Emeralds (7.5–8) and morganite (7.5–8) are durable but benefit from slightly more careful treatment — avoiding hard knocks and keeping them away from harsh cleaning products.
The setting also matters. A bezel setting, which wraps metal around the edge of the stone, provides more protection than a prong setting, regardless of the stone's hardness. For coloured stones in rings that see heavy daily use, discussing setting style with your jeweler is important.
Choosing What's Right for You
The most honest advice we can give is this: don't choose based on what's most common or most expected. Choose based on what holds the most meaning.
Is there a coloured stone with personal or cultural significance? A sapphire that matches her eyes? A ruby that speaks to your Persian heritage? A diamond that embodies the simplicity and permanence you both value? These are the right questions.
At Gold Glow, we work with diamonds and a full range of fine coloured gemstones in our custom designs. Come in and see them side by side — colour, cut, and quality are all things that photographs can only partially convey.
Ready to visit us?
Visit our Richmond Hill boutique to compare diamonds and coloured gemstones in person. We'll help you find the stone that tells your story.
Gold Glow Jewelry · Richmond Hill, ON · goldglowjewelry.com
