Franklin Dean
Gemstones are a popular choice for wedding rings due to their unique style, large size, and lower cost compared to diamonds. When choosing a gemstone, couples often consider the colour and the symbolism associated with each stone. For example, red rubies symbolise passion and love, while blue sapphires represent loyalty and wisdom. In addition to colour and meaning, couples should also consider the durability of the gemstone, as some stones are more fragile and require special care. Popular gemstones for wedding rings include rubies, sapphires, emeralds, opals, moonstones, and amethysts. These gemstones offer a range of colours and symbolic meanings that can add a unique and special touch to a wedding ring.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colour | Gemstones come in a wide variety of colours, including multicoloured options. |
| Meaning | Different gemstones have different meanings, e.g. rubies symbolise love and passion, sapphires symbolise loyalty, and moonstones symbolise love and femininity. |
| Durability | Some gemstones are more durable than others, which is important for everyday wear. Diamonds are the most durable, with a hardness of 10/10 on the Mohs scale, followed by sapphires and rubies at 9/10. |
| Rarity | The rarity of a gemstone can affect its popularity and price. For example, blue sapphires are relatively common, while padparadscha sapphires (a blend of pink and orange) are rare. |
| Size | Some gemstones are available in larger sizes than diamonds, allowing for more design options. |
| Cost | Gemstones are often a more affordable option than diamonds, allowing for a larger centre stone within a similar budget. |
| Personal preference | The choice of gemstone is a personal one, and can be based on factors such as colour preference, special meanings, and unique characteristics. |
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What You'll Learn
Gemstone meaning and symbolism
Gemstones are chosen for wedding rings primarily due to their colour. However, each stone carries its own unique meaning and significance, which can add depth and
Ruby
A red ruby is a symbol of passionate love. It also signifies love, prosperity, protection, and healing. Rubies have a hardness of 9 out of 10, making them a good choice for a wedding ring.
Sapphire
Dark blue sapphires stand for loyalty. They are also known for their lustrous colour and durability. Sapphires are available in a rainbow of colours, with some even exhibiting colour-changing properties.
Moonstone
Moonstone is an ethereal-looking gemstone with a glowing sheen that resembles moonlight. It is said to have a feminine energy and is often called "the stone of love". It is believed to calm, enhance women's energy and intuition, and strengthen relationships. The most valuable moonstones have high levels of transparency and a bluish sheen.
Emerald
Emeralds symbolise a happy and successful marriage. They are one of the most auspicious gemstones for a wedding ring.
Opal
Opal is a unique stone that creates multicoloured shimmers, including blue, red, white, and yellow. Opal symbolises fidelity, embodying the spark and fire of a relationship. However, it has a low hardness rating, so it should be treated with care.
When choosing a gemstone for a wedding ring, it is important to consider the personal significance and shared symbolism that the stone holds for the couple.
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Durability and practicality
When it comes to choosing a gemstone for a wedding ring, durability and practicality are key considerations. After all, a wedding ring is intended to be worn daily and to last a lifetime.
Diamonds are a popular choice for wedding rings due to their exceptional durability. They are the hardest gemstone, scoring a 10 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, and are incredibly resistant to scratching or scuffing. Diamonds also come in a variety of colours, including the popular white diamonds, which are versatile and pair well with different metals. However, diamonds are relatively rare compared to other minerals and may not be the most budget-friendly option.
Sapphires are another durable gemstone, scoring 9 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. They are tough enough to withstand daily wear and come in a range of colours, including blue, pink, purple, yellow, orange, green, and white. Blue sapphires, in particular, have been a classic choice for wedding rings, symbolising loyalty, truth, and love. White sapphires, a diamond alternative, offer a similar appearance at a more affordable price.
Rubies are also a durable gemstone with a Mohs hardness score of 9. They are known for their vibrant red hue, symbolising passion, love, and courage, and are an excellent choice for a long-lasting engagement ring.
While emeralds are meaningful and timeless, they are less durable, scoring only 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale, and are more prone to cracking due to their natural inclusions. Similarly, opals are beautiful and unique, but they have a lower hardness score of 5.5 to 6.5 and require careful handling. Moonstones, though ethereal and symbolic, are also sensitive to cracking or chipping and need special care.
Ultimately, the choice of gemstone depends on personal priorities. Some gemstones may require more protective settings or careful handling, but this should not deter you from choosing a stone that holds special meaning for you.
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Colour and personality
Gemstones come in a wide variety of colours, so you can choose one that represents your personality and style. If you want to express yourself through colour, consider a bright red ruby to symbolise passion and love, or a dark blue sapphire to represent loyalty and wisdom. Sapphires also come in pink, purple, yellow, orange, green, and white. Pink sapphires are another popular choice for wedding rings.
Rubies are prized for their fiery red hue, and their hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale makes them an excellent choice for everyday wear. They are also known to symbolise courage and have a long historical significance. If you are looking for a stone with a calming effect, moonstone is a lovely option. It is known as the "stone of love" and is believed to calm and enhance women's energy and intuition. It also strengthens relationships.
Opal is another unique and beautiful stone that creates multicoloured shimmers of blue, red, white, and yellow. Opal symbolises fidelity and embodies the spark and fire of a relationship. If you are looking for a more affordable option, white sapphires offer a diamond-like appearance at a more budget-friendly price. They are also incredibly durable, with a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale.
Ultimately, the gemstone you choose for your wedding ring is a personal decision. Consider the colour, symbolism, and durability of the stone to find the perfect match for your personality and style.
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Cost
Gemstones are a great way to add something extra special to your wedding ring, especially if the gemstone holds a special meaning for the wearer. One of the benefits of choosing a gemstone over a diamond is cost. Depending on the stone, size, and colour, gemstones are often a fraction of the cost of a similarly-sized diamond.
The four precious stones are diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. Generally, these will be more expensive than other gemstones. However, there are some exceptions. For example, aquamarine, a blue beryl stone, is on the more affordable end of the gemstone spectrum. Citrine, a variety of quartz, is another affordable option. It varies in colour from fiery orange to bright yellow and is a more affordable alternative to canary yellow diamonds.
Lab-grown gemstones are also a more affordable option. While these stones have the same physical makeup as naturally occurring gemstones, they are often more sustainable and wallet-friendly. Similarly, synthetic and treated turquoise are more common and valuable than natural, high-quality stones.
The Mohs Hardness Scale is another important consideration when choosing a gemstone. Softer stones like pearls, opals, and moonstones are more likely to scratch or chip and should be treated with care. Harder stones like sapphires, rubies, and amethysts are more durable and less likely to break.
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Celebrity trends
While diamonds are the most traditional and popular choice for wedding rings, coloured gemstones have been increasingly finding their way onto the ring fingers of celebrities.
Princess Diana, Jackie Kennedy, Victoria Beckham, Halle Berry, Princess Eugenie, and Megan Fox have all chosen non-diamond gemstone engagement rings. In 2022, Machine Gun Kelly proposed to Megan Fox with a two-stone emerald and diamond ring. The two pear-cut stones represent two halves of a heart and are held together by magnets. Ariana Grande and Emily Ratajkowski also sported multi-stone engagement rings. Lana Condor, meanwhile, debuted a stunning oval rock set in a yellow gold band.
Other celebrities have opted for coloured diamonds. Multi-platinum singer Mariah Carey received a $2.5 million 17-carat pink diamond ring, while Paris Hilton received a 20-carat pear-shaped diamond engagement ring. Actor Sofia Vergara was presented with a very large cushion-cut diamond, possibly five to seven carats. Country singer Carrie Underwood and former American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson both said yes to canary yellow diamond rings.
Some celebrities have chosen gemstone engagement rings with symbolic meanings. Blue sapphires, for example, have been seen as a symbol of loyalty, truth, and love. Kate Middleton wears her late mother-in-law Princess Diana's iconic 12-carat Blue Ceylon Sapphire ring. Cruz's husband Javier Bardem picked a three-carat oval-cut blue sapphire ring with 12 white diamonds surrounding the centre stone. Pop icon Katy Perry's engagement ring features an oval-cut ruby centre stone surrounded by eight round-cut diamonds arranged like petals. A bright red ruby engagement ring says passion, while a dark blue sapphire engagement ring stands for loyalty.
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Frequently asked questions
The most popular gemstones for wedding rings include diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds.
Yes, while you have endless options to choose from, some gemstones are more fragile and require special care. These include opal, moonstone, and emerald.
Gemstones come in a wide variety of colours and carry different meanings and symbolism. For example, red rubies symbolise passion and love, while blue sapphires represent loyalty and truth. You may want to choose a gemstone that holds a special meaning for you.
