When you think of engagement rings, you probably think of Diamond. Thanks to some clever marketing back in 1947, Diamonds have become almost synonymous with engagement rings.
However, we’re all about breaking trends, and choosing a Diamond for your engagement ring is one trend we love to challenge. While Diamonds are undeniably beautiful, they are also quite common. Why not stand out with a coloured gemstone and break free from the ordinary?
Need a hand? Here are some of my personal favourites when it comes to Diamond engagement ring alternatives:
Sapphire
Despite De Beers’ famous ‘A Diamond is Forever’ slogan captivating the world, one of the most famous engagement rings of all time is actually a Sapphire! When Princess Diana got engaged in 1981, her 12-carat Royal Blue Sapphire ring made headlines for breaking from ‘tradition’. It remains iconic to this day.
Blue Sapphire will always be a timeless choice. But did you know that Sapphires come in a whole rainbow of colours? While blue is the most well-known, you can find Sapphires in pink (and a legendary orangey-pink known as ‘Padparadscha’), purple, yellow, green, and even white. And here’s a fun fact for you: red Sapphires exist, but under a gem category of their own — Ruby!
Ruby
To me, no gem fits an engagement ring better than a Ruby. Red is one of my favourite colours because it’s just so full of life! And since the beginning of time, red has been associated with passion and love.
Rubies come in various shades, from deep, rich reds to lighter, pinkish tones — MADLY offers a range of Rubies to fit different budgets. If you’re a fan of bold and beautiful, Ruby might be your perfect match!
Spinel
Spinel is probably one of the gem world’s best-kept secrets, though not for much longer. It has often been mistaken for Ruby and Sapphire due to its stunning shades, leading to some of the world’s most famous jewels actually being Spinel.
If you’re looking for something that can rival the brilliance and sparkle of Diamond, Spinel is a fantastic choice. Trust me when I say these gems are SUPER sparkly! Available in a variety of colours, from fiery reds and rich blues to vibrant hot pinks, Spinel offers a dazzling array of options. Grey Spinels are an enigmatic choice that I find understated yet ever so elegant.
Tsavorite
Don’t get me wrong, I think Emeralds are gorgeous. But as someone who constantly bumps into things, it isn’t a gem I’d want to wear on my finger daily for fear of damaging it (Emeralds tend to have inclusions, called jardin, that make them more susceptible to breakage despite being relatively hard).
But if you love the deep green of Emeralds, Tsavorite might be perfect for you. Tsavorite is a new variety of Garnet discovered back in 1967 that is actually 200 times more rare than Emerald. Its unique, vibrant foresty green and exceptional fire make it a precious and special gem!
Tourmaline
I didn’t know about Tourmaline until I came to MADLY, but it’s the only gemstone that comes in virtually every single colour. And then some! From the otherworldly neon blue Paraiba and the rich Maldivian hues of Lagoon Tourmaline to the rare inky blue of Indicolite, Tourmalines are extremely versatile. There are even bi- and tri-colour Tourmalines which sometimes come in red, green and white, which are beyond fascinating.
Tourmaline’s versatility makes it the perfect choice for a one-of-a-kind engagement ring as unique and special as your love story.
One of the joys of bespoke is incorporating elements of your love story into the design of your ring. So why not visit MADLY and explore Singapore’s largest collection of coloured gemstones?