Engagement rings are one of the most significant pieces of jewelry a person will ever own, and while diamonds have long dominated the engagement ring scene, there’s a colorful revolution happening. More and more couples are turning to the gorgeous rainbow of gemstone engagement rings for their beauty, individuality, and rich symbolism.
From the deep blues of sapphires to the fiery reds of rubies and the lush greens of emeralds, these gemstones bring character and history to engagement rings. Beyond these classic three, there’s an entire world of striking and meaningful stones, including opal, turquoise, amethyst, citrine, jade, and tourmaline.
So, if you’re considering a gemstone engagement ring, let’s dive into the radiant spectrum of options available and find out which best colored gemstones for engagement rings might suit your style.
Sapphire Engagement Rings: Timeless Elegance in Blue
Sapphires are one of the most popular choices for engagement rings with colored gemstones, thanks to their durability, striking color, and royal associations (Princess Diana, anyone?). While sapphires are most commonly blue, they can also be found in yellow, pink, and even green. Sapphire engagement rings are often found in oval, round, cushion and emerald cut. There is so much versatility available in a sapphire engagement ring because they are such durable stones - second only to diamonds on the Mohs scale, they are incredibly strong like your love.
Like diamonds, depending on the quality of the sapphire there is a potential for visible inclusions and their desirability is truly a personal choice. Sapphires come in such diverse colors, shapes, sizes (and prices!) that there is something for everyone. A sapphire engagement ring is for the kind of love that’s both steady and electric, like being safe inside while a storm rages outside. Its deep blue is the color of devotion—timeless, unshakable, and with just enough intrigue to keep things interesting.
Ruby Engagement Rings: For Passion and Power
Rubies have been prized for centuries, symbolizing love, passion, and wealth. Rubies come on a spectrum of reds from vivid reds to deep purplish reds - a stunning choice no matter which hue you choose. Similar to sapphires, rubies are extremely durable - also a nine out of ten on the Mohs scale. Again, their durability allows for extreme variation in cuts - rubies commonly come in oval, cushion, round, and emerald cut, but can be found in many others.
Rubies have real historical significance and, like diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires - high-quality rubies are rare. A ruby engagement ring is for the love that burns hot, fast, and forever. It’s not just a promise, it’s a declaration, a grand, cinematic sweep of passion that refuses to be anything less than extraordinary.
Emerald Engagement Rings: The Lushest Green
Emeralds are the epitome of elegance. Worn by Cleopatra and favored by the iconic Hollywood royalty like Elizabeth Taylor, they are an exquisite choice for those seeking something unique and vibrant. Their hues range from rich green to blue-green - from a vision of the most lush forest to the dark depths of the sea. Emeralds are seriously distinctive and give off a regal feeling that is hard to miss. They are also a bit softer than diamonds and sapphires - so they require a bit more love and care. An emerald engagement ring is for those who believe love should feel like a secret garden—lush, rare, and just a little bit untamed. Its deep green hue suggests a romance that grows wildly, beautifully, and entirely on its own terms.
Opal Engagement Rings: The Firey Choice
Opals are one of the most magical gemstones, displaying an ever-changing array of colors that seem to shift with the light. This iridescence makes opal engagement rings a dazzling and unique choice. Opals come in many different shades - white is probably the most common, but there are black opals and fire opals, too. They all provide a kaleidoscope of beauty for the bride-to-be who wants something a bit different. Opals may be very romantic but they are also very delicate and require a lot of care. An opal engagement ring is for the dreamers, the poets, the ones who believe love is built on a bit of magic. Its shifting colors remind us that real romance isn’t just one thing—it’s a kaleidoscope of moments, shimmering, changing, always alive.
Aquamarine Engagement Rings: The Sea’s the Limit
An aquamarine engagement ring feels like love on a crisp, clear morning—fresh, exhilarating, impossibly light. With its serene blue hue, reminiscent of the ocean on a sunlit day, it carries a sense of calm and endless possibility. A member of the beryl family, aquamarine is known for its remarkable clarity and durability, making it as practical as it is enchanting. It is most commonly cut in emerald, oval, and pear shapes to enhance its natural brilliance, though antique-style cushion and Asscher cuts also highlight its icy elegance. An Aquamarine engagement ring is for those who believe that commitment doesn’t have to be heavy, that forever can feel like a never-ending adventure with the windows rolled down and the sea just beyond the horizon.
Amethyst Engagement Rings: The Regal Choice
Once reserved for royalty, amethyst engagement rings are a fantastic choice for those who love rich purple tones. From deep violet to light lavender, their wide range of hues and affordability make them an accessible yet undeniably luxurious option. An amethyst engagement ring is for the romantic with a rebellious streak—the kind of person who loves a grand gesture but refuses to follow the script. With its deep violet glow, it whispers of mystery, intuition, and the kind of love that doesn’t need a rulebook. Diamonds may be forever, but amethysts are for the ones who know that forever should also be interesting.
Tourmaline Engagement Rings: A Rainbow of Choices
Tourmaline comes in nearly every color imaginable, making tourmaline engagement rings an exciting choice for those who want something truly unique. A tourmaline engagement ring is for the love that defies categories—unexpected, vibrant, and entirely its own. With hues that shift from deep pinks to lush greens, it’s a reminder that the best relationships are the ones that keep surprising you.
Choosing a gemstone engagement ring is about more than just what’s expected—it’s about finding a ring that resonates with your personal style, love story, and lifestyle. Whether you prefer the classic elegance of sapphire vintage engagement rings, the rich hues of emerald vintage engagement rings, or the bohemian charm of opal vintage engagement rings, there’s a world of color waiting to be explored. So why settle for tradition when you can embrace the extraordinary? Give us a call and we'll help you find the ring unique to your true love.