Wedding rings which roll rebelliously off the beaten track are having a moment right now. As much as we love the standard crystal-clear diamond stone, gorgeous gemstone rings are well and truly going through their shimmering second in the sun.
With thanks in part owed to Kate Middleton’s iconic sapphire, Jessica Simpson’s ruby and a host of other celebrities showing off their stones on the red carpet, brides are breaking away from tradition and truly expressing themselves in colour. If that’s not enough to convince you, then maybe this will; 5 IDEAL reasons to choose a coloured stone engagement ring.
THEY ARE UNIQUE
In a room full of identikit diamond rings, a coloured stone will really stand out. And believe it or not, many coloured gemstones are actually rarer and more exclusive than white diamonds. While it may surprise some, gemstones come in a wider variety of colours and hues than common knowledge traditionally dictates. Unbeknownst to most, sapphires don’t just come in blue; the stone in fact covers the whole spectrum of the rainbow. The only colour this versatile stone doesn’t come in is red, but don’t worry, rubies, which vary from dark reds to vibrant pinks, have got that colour palette covered.
THEY ARE GENERALLY CHEAPER
It used to be the norm to fork out two to three month’s salary on a ring, and not blink an eyelid about it. However, the modern age has seen people getting more sensible in this respect. Indeed, wouldn’t that money be better spent on a deposit for a house, having babies or a once in a lifetime honeymoon? For financial reasons, young couples are now spending an average of £573 on their engagement rings, significantly less than in the past, and since coloured gemstones have a much friendlier price tag, they’re a great ‘budget’ option, if saving money is your thing. Equally, as coloured gemstones cost less per carat than diamonds do, you’ll be able to get more bling for your buck, if size and shine is more what you’re about.
Speaking of cheap rings, if you like affordable jewellry, tungsten carbide rings are a cost-effective choice for brides and grooms looking to save money on their wedding bands. Tungsten Carbide is a dense, heavy metal and is very resistant to scratching, meaning that it keeps its finish for much longer than other metals. The colour of the metal itself is a dark gun metal grey, however, for a more traditional, elegant wedding band finish, you can get it plated in yellow, rose gold and more.
THEY CARRY MEANING
Other than stating ‘I love you’ and offering a symbol of everlasting love, diamonds don’t have much going for them. If that’s not enough for you, consider consulting marriage counselling. Joking aside, gemstones each have their own symbolic meaning, setting them apart from a more traditional ring choice. According to the ancient Egyptians (who incidentally came up with the idea of a wedding band, so they’re something of experts on the matter) the ring finger has a special vein running directly to your heart and whichever gemstone you choose will bring a certain unique form of energy to your marriage.
Go for aquamarine, which symbolises courage and communication, and you’ll be able to talk through those trials and tribulations – the foundation of every good marriage. Decide on a moonstone and your love will last a lifetime and endure life’s many twists and turns. Or opt for ruby and encourage passion; perfect for those wanting to keep the fire alive long after tying the knot.
IT’S MORE PERSONAL
A personal, unique and custom-made engagement ring with a gemstone has far more individuality than a standard, store bought diamond ring. As coloured gemstones can hold more meaning to you personally and as a couple, they’re a great choice for celebrating your own unique love. When considering your options, think about having the colour of your birthstone or opt for the month you’re getting married in, or the month you first met or even proposed in; all viable, special ideas. Selecting a stone with significance to you is certainly appropriate for such a special day and lifelong commitment.
NO ONE WILL KNOW THE COST
While we’re firm believers in your love being in no way qualified by the size and price tag of your stone, some people might see significance in that notion. The great thing about coloured stones is that you can buy something really fabulous-looking and most people will have no idea how much it cost. Explained succinctly by jewelry expert Joanna Hardy to the Telegraph; “this is a big selling point for people who perhaps don’t have as much to spend on a ring and don’t want others to know exactly what they’ve spent on it.” And if you didwant a bigger gem on your hand, it’s eminently possible because of their more accessible price point.