From glittering diamonds to gemstones in every color of the rainbow, you have endless options to choose from for your wedding rings. But which is right for you? Decide for yourself using this guide to the most popular gemstones for wedding bands and engagement rings. Learn all about each stone’s meaning and practicality, as well as why these gems are so much more popular than others.
White Diamonds
It’s easy to see why colorless diamonds, also called white diamonds, are the most popular choice for engagement rings and wedding bands. These bright, beautiful gemstones are a gorgeous option with lovely meaning. As a symbol of eternal love and devotion, diamonds are a fitting choice for couples. Diamonds are also very durable and practical for daily wear, which is an important quality for frequently worn rings.
Diamonds are great for daily wear due to their exceptional hardness. With a 10 out of 10 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, diamonds are the hardest gemstone. Diamonds also happen to be the hardest naturally occurring material on earth, so you never have to worry about scuffing or scratching a diamond.
Diamonds actually come in a wide variety of colors, but white diamonds are the most popular variety. Their bright sparkle and neutral look allows them to pair beautifully with every precious metal, including white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, and platinum. Their classic beauty also suits a variety of design styles, giving them impressive versatility.
Blue Sapphires
For much of history, blue sapphires were more popular for wedding rings than diamonds. When engagement rings rose in popularity in the 14th century, sapphires were the top gemstone choice due to their meaning. Since ancient times, blue sapphires have been seen as a symbol of loyalty, truth, and love.
Diamonds became more popular for engagement rings in the 20th century, but blue sapphires have remained a top alternative to diamonds. Blue sapphires are seen as a classic engagement option with a unique elegance. Modern blue sapphire rings are also often associated with royalty due to Princess Diana’s iconic blue sapphire engagement ring, which is now worn by Kate Middleton.
Like diamonds, blue sapphires have practical advantages. Sapphires are the gemstone quality variety of the mineral corundum, an immensely tough stone with superior hardness. Sapphires rank at 9 out of 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, so they’re a durable option that’s well suited to everyday wear.
Pink Sapphires
Sapphires come in a range of beautiful colors, including the aforementioned blue variety. Then, there are also pink sapphires, purple sapphires, yellow sapphires, orange sapphires, green sapphires, and white sapphires. Blue sapphires are easily the most popular out of the color range for wedding rings, but pink sapphires are also a top choice.
Pink sapphires are loved for their romantic color, which can range from soft pink to vibrant purple-pink. Pink sapphires are an eye-catching center stone choice and they add a lovely splash of color when used as accent stones. These blushing precious gemstones are the perfect choice for the romantic at heart. And because they’re made of the mineral as blue sapphires, pink sapphires are equally tough and durable, so these gems will stand the test of time.
Black Diamonds
Black diamonds share the same deep meaning and practical advantages as white diamonds, but their deep color gives them a unique allure. These lush, dark stones add a bold touch to wedding ring designs. They’re an ideal engagement ring choice for those who love to stand out from the crowd and are very popular for those who want a wedding band that commands attention.
Why Are Some Gemstones More Popular For Wedding Rings?
Many gemstones are beautiful and meaningful–however, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re a great choice for a wedding ring. There’s another factor that’s important to consider: practicality. The most popular gemstones for wedding rings, including diamonds and sapphires, are also practical options that are durable enough to last for life.
Ultimately, what you want to prioritize for your rings is very personal, but it’s important to consider durability and practicality when you’re shopping for a piece of jewelry you’ll be wearing every day. If you decide to choose a more fragile stone for your engagement ring or wedding band, be mindful of its special care needs.
Emeralds are a good example of a beautiful, meaningful, and timeless gemstone that’s not necessarily the best choice for a wedding ring. These precious stones naturally have many internal flaws called inclusions, making them more likely to crack when struck. If you have your heart set on an emerald engagement ring, consider choosing a design with a more protective setting. Or consider an alternative green stone option like tsavorite, which has a similar green color, yet is significantly more durable.
Cracking and scratching is the main concern for many fragile gemstones, but the elements can also be hazardous to certain stones. A notable example is topaz, which is quite sensitive to heat. The color of gems like London blue topaz, pink topaz, and imperial topaz, can change in the heat. While this doesn’t necessarily disquality topaz from being used in an everyday ring, it’s an important care need to keep in mind before choosing topaz for your own rings.
Some stones are so fragile that they’ll likely have to eventually be replaced if worn daily in a ring. Some top examples are pearls, opals, and moonstone. These beautiful gemstones offer beautiful luster and mesmerizing flashes of color, but they’re also all quite soft and easy to scratch with normal wear. If you have your heart set on one of these stones, make sure you’re comfortable with the idea that you may need to occasionally replace your stones as they begin to show signs of wear.
Explore Gemstone Wedding Rings at Bridal Rings
Interested in seeing more beautiful gemstone engagement rings and wedding bands? Find your dream design at Bridal Rings. Visit our Los Angeles jewelry showroom or shop from the comfort of your home by browsing our online store.