While much of the jewelry world weighs out the pros and cons of laboratory-grown and natural diamonds, the merit of colored gemstones should not be overlooked! For most of history, lovers would show their devotion with a whole colorful array of stones. Diamonds only became the popular pick for engagement rings around 1947, with the slogan “A Diamond is Forever,” securing their place as the most prevalent engagement stone in the coming decades. Of course, diamonds have been used and revered throughout history, but sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and a whole rainbow of precious stones have been the treasured centers of many an engagement ring with deep symbolism.
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Historically, rubies have been a staple in the jewelry of European royals and an integral part of ancient Eastern traditions. Nicknamed the “Stone of the Nobility,” ruby engagement rings have adorned the fingers of many duchesses, princesses and queens, most notably, Princess Margaret. Rubies represent love, courage, and passion. They have even been said to settle disagreements between loved ones, and have the ability to bring light and peace into the wearer’s life (something to remember, if you ever find yourself in the doghouse!). Rubies are a hard, durable stone, making them a practical choice for an engagement ring, as well. The deep, rich red pairs nicely with white or yellow gold and always looks wonderful with diamonds to accent the rich color, making it a remarkable choice to represent your love.
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Alternatively, sapphires offer a cool, calm tone of blue that still makes a lasting visual impact. Symbolically, sapphires are said to bring protection and favor. The stone represents truth, loyalty, unwavering devotion, love and commitment, all wonderful intentions to set over your engagement and marriage. One of the most notable engagement rings in recent history, Princess Diana’s, featured a 12 carat oval cut sapphire with a diamond halo. This stunning ring cemented sapphires as a timeless, classic option for an engagement ring’s center stone. The hardness of a sapphire makes it another excellent choice for everyday wear. While most commonly known for their blue hue, sapphires come in a wide array of colors with no variance to their durability. Green sapphires are said to bring growth and harmony, yellow sapphires convey prosperity and joy with their happy color, while pink sapphires express creativity and passion. With so many options available, sapphires really lend themselves as a great way to represent each individual couple in a truly special, lasting way.
For a more rare and delicate option, an emerald makes for an excellent selection. Emeralds are thought to have a calming effect and promote balance, abundance, and growth for a couple, with a deep connection to nature. As emeralds are a softer stone they do require proper care and attention but they can absolutely still last a lifetime (or longer!). Emeralds do naturally vary in color, ranging from a light green to a deep luscious green, with the more pigmented greens being the most highly coveted. Most emeralds do have visual inclusions as a result of the minerals that occur during the formation, making each stone literally one of a kind, just like your love story!
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The history of colored stones in engagement rings expands far beyond these three stones, though! Birthstones offer another opportunity for easy personalization, both in the engagement ring and the wedding band. Semi-Precious stones have been a long standing staple.
Aquamarines were used in Ancient Greece and Rome as a means of ensuring long-lasting love. Garnets were a popular choice during the Victorian Era, known for their rich, deep red tone, and thought to bring passion and courage. Amethysts were another common selection during the Victorian Era and worn by Saint Valentine as a symbol of love and protection. During the Renaissance, pearls were a favored pick, as they represented innocence, loyalty, and sincerity. Pink and Green Tourmalines are thought to give the wearer a safe and secure foundation for the relationship and started a craze for Tiffany and Company in the 1870s. The options are truly endless!
Needless to say, there have never been more options available to fit your love story or style! Between lab-grown and natural diamonds and all these varying stones available in lab-grown and natural as well, it’s never been easier or more affordable to have the look you have always dreamed of. The team at Williams Jewelers is ready and willing to make your dream a reality, no matter what it may be!
