9 Diamond Alternatives to Consider for Your Engagement Ring, According to Experts

Moissanite

In the last few years, moissanite has become one of the most popular diamond alternatives, and it's not hard to see why. Not only does moissanite strongly resemble a diamond, but they come in at a fraction of the price and are almost as durable. "Moissanite gemstones are the second hardest gemstone used in jewelry making today," Montague shares. "They are super durable for the most active bride-to-be."

Another pro? They are incredibly versatile. Plus, they have an amazing sparkle that is really hard to get with even the most high-quality diamond. As Montague points out, they're also lab-created, making them a more ethical and sustainable option than other naturally formed stones.

Aquamarine

Light blue aquamarine stones are an elegant and fresh choice that can also make your engagement ring your "something blue" (and an excellent family heirloom). Part of the beryl family, aquamarine has a similar internal makeup as emeralds and morganites.

"They have a hardness rating of 7.5-8, so diamonds and sapphires would scratch them," Sassone explains. "You would want to store them separately from your other jewels, and the stone may need to be polished over the years. Still, aquamarine is a fairly durable option that will certainly become a treasured favorite.

Emerald

With their gorgeous green hue, emeralds are a classic choice that will really add something to your jewelry collection. Montague points out that they come in a variety of shapes that can easily be customized to fit into your dream ring.

Like aquamarine, emeralds come in at about 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, so it will require a bit more attention and care when being worn or stored. "When shopping for an emerald, the most appealing stones will be a beautiful green, with a highly transparent appearance," Montague notes. Ultimately, the best emerald color to seek out is neither too deep nor too light—look for one that's a medium intensity and highly transparent.

Inquiring about the level of oil applied to your emerald is also crucial, as the look of stones with high levels of oil treatments will likely change over time.

Morganite

A feminine pink stone that almost resembles the ultra-luxe pink diamond, morganite is a trendy non-diamond option right now. The light color makes the stone versatile and easy to wear, and there are so many different options for it.

Sassone notes that morganite is in the same family as aquamarine, and so the two are extremely similar. They both have about the same 7.5 hardness, meaning morganite is suitable for everyday wear but still needs to be treated more delicately than a diamond.

Ruby

Rubies are an excellent diamond alternative because they manage to be classic but bold at the same time. As Montague explains, they are the gemstone of love and come in a range of shades from deep pink to red, making a beautiful contrast when paired with white and yellow metals.

Rubies are also durable and suitable for everyday wear, which is certainly an advantage. However, they aren't quite as inexpensive as some other options. "Rubies are priced higher per carat than any other colored gem," Montague says.

Sapphire

Sapphires are another elegant and classic option that comes in a range of different shades. These colored gemstones are one of the hardest diamond alternative stones and are ideal for everyday wear. "You can live your life wearing a sapphire," Sassone says. "There is less upkeep with these stones."

When purchasing a sapphire, Sassone recommends working with a trusted resource since the colored stone market isn't as regulated as the diamond market. "We're looking for good crystal, which is the stone's ability to pass light at the molecular level," she explains. "Irradiation can greatly diminish a sapphire's sparkle factor, so you want to look at how much sparkle the stone has."

Heat treatment, on the other hand, is common among sapphires, and entirely acceptable; pure heat treatment, without any added chemicals or substances, can improve the color and clarity of many sapphires.

Amethyst

The deep violet hue of amethyst makes this the perfect stone for the unconventional bride-to-be. Considerably less expensive than a diamond, you can get a large amethyst for a budget-friendly price point.

As beautiful as the color is, though, an important thing to keep in mind with amethyst is that it's not as strong as some other colored gemstones. It's a 7 on the Mohs scale, which is why Montague doesn't recommend it for everyday wear. It's more delicate and could get damaged more easily, but if you're willing to take care of it and be extra cautious, amethyst can still be your choice.

Opal

"If your style is a more vintage feel, or you want an heirloom look, opal gemstones can achieve this for you," Montague says. These beautiful milky white stones have an interesting iridescence to them, and they are pretty versatile.

However, opals are not one of the strongest stones out there and are not a good choice for everyday wear. "Opals are super soft and porous," Montague says. "With prolonged wear, you will likely experience chips and scratches, and the stone may change color over time." They also may not react well to sudden temperature changes or prolonged periods of time spent in direct sunlight.

White Topaz

While topaz is a gemstone that comes in an array of hues, from yellow and orange to blue and green, white topaz has increasingly become the gemstone of choice for those on the hunt for a diamond alternative. To the naked eye, it looks very similar to a natural diamond, which allows it to be a suitable option for brides with classic and traditional aesthetics. One major downside? It's an 8 on the Mohs scale and needs to be properly handled when worn and stored.