It’s said diamonds are forever, and diamonds are a girl’s best friend. The precious stone has been worn in engagement rings around the world, and it has been the first choice for many years. 

But now the trend is changing, and many brides-to-be are looking for something different and unconventional. Many celebrities are seen wearing diamond alternatives. There are many reasons for the switch of choice: budget constraints, personal choice, brides wanting to wear their birthstones, or just a change of preferences. 

Here is the list of the Best Alternatives for Diamonds-

Sapphire

Sapphire is a popular choice for engagement rings, and it’s the second most popular option after diamonds. Sapphire is available in a variety of colours, and each colour has its own aura. Sapphire is not just blue, as commonly perceived, but also black, green, pink, orange, and yellow. Sapphires have been used traditionally in engagement rings much longer than diamonds, and they are comparatively reasonable as compared to diamonds. Sapphire is commonly used in earrings, pendants, bracelets, and necklaces. It’s a great alternative for diamonds with a nine ranking on the Mohs scale of hardness.

Average Price per carat: Rs.100,000 to  Rs.170,000 ($1200 to $2000)

Ruby

‘Ruby’ got its name from the Latin word ‘ruber’, which means red. Ruby was used in crowns of the royals in the early days, but it’s used in all kinds of jewellery now. Ruby is the best alternative for diamond engagement rings, as it symbolises courage and passion. Its stunning red colour attracts one and all, and it’s widely used in other jewellery also. It’s mined in Australia, Asia, Africa, and Europe and ranks ninth on the Mohs scale of hardness. 

Average Price per carat: Rs.3,90,000/- ($4500)

Emeralds 

Emeralds are rare gemstones with many shades of green, from light green to rich green. They get costlier with darker shades and are more costly than diamonds of the same quality. Emeralds are a symbol of immortality and paradise, which makes them the best choice for engagement rings and other jewellery as well. Emeralds are beautiful and stunning gemstones that are mined in Zambia, Brazil, and Colombia. Mohs’ ranking for hardness is 7.5 to 8, which makes emeralds a durable option for daily wear.  

Average Price per carat: Rs.1,60,000/- ($18000)

Lab-Grown Diamonds

Image source- Anjali Diamonds

Lab Grown or man-made diamonds have the same optical as well as chemical properties as natural diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds are an economical option to natural diamonds that can cost up to 80 percent less when compared to natural diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds are one of the best alternatives to natural diamonds, as they are environmentally friendly and made in labs within weeks.

On the Mohs scale of hardness, they rank 10, which is as hard as natural diamond but has little resale value. Lab-grown diamonds are used in all kinds of jewellery, including engagement rings.

Average Price per carat: Rs.45,000 to 170,000 ($500 to $2,000)

Aquamarine

Image source- Justins Jewelers

Aquamarine is a blue beauty that is widely used as an alternative to diamonds, especially in engagement and wedding rings. Aquamarine gemstones are frequently used in other jewellery, as they are affordable when compared to diamonds. Aquamarine is known to cure illness and keep the wearer healthy in the early days. Aquamarine is available in many shades of blue that bring the ring, band, or any jewellery to life. It has a 7.5 to 8 ranking on the Mohs scale of hardness, which makes it a good choice.

Average Price per carat: Rs. 85000/- ($1000)  

Tanzanite

Image source- Chordia Jewels

Tanzanite is a rare and valuable gemstone that is found only in Tanzania. It’s a new gemstone found in 1967 and named after the country where it was found. Tanzanite is found in reddish brown in raw form, and it turns into violet, sapphire blue, or amethyst when heated. Tanzanite is a soft stone and is used in all kinds of jewellery like engagement rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. The Mohs hardness of tanzanite is 6 to 7, which means it may need care while wearing.

Average price- per carat: Rs. 55000/- to 85000/-  ($600-1000)

Buying alternatives to diamonds for engagement rings or other jewellery provides variety to the buyers with colours and glamour, lab-grown diamonds provide ethical choices, and a lot of them are affordable compared to natural diamonds. Ultimately, it’s the choice of the buyer if they want to buy an original diamond or the alternatives.