Wedding Ring Diamond Alternatives

Your Wedding Day

Bride Login

Vendors

Search Sites

New Stone Options for Wedding Bands

Marilyn may have famously cooed “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” but diamonds aren’t the only friends for engaged girls. While still the most traditional wedding stone, alternatives abound -- some trendy, some cheaper, and some downright delicious. There are a few things you should know before throwing around stones, so read on:

One of the main reasons women pass on traditional diamonds is the fear of obtaining a “blood diamond.” Simply stated, a blood diamond is one that was sold to fund a rebellion or civil war in an African nation. While it’s not 100% possible to be sure the diamond you purchase is “clean,” many safeguards have been established. The best way to make sure your diamond is authorized is to purchase it from a reliable dealer. You can also look for a Kimberly Process seal on the certificate -- this is a certificate of approval from the GIA (Gemological Institute of America).

A cut above.
While politics can be a determining factor in your ring purchase, personal choice is important too. Sapphires and rubies are very popular alternatives (Princess Diana wore a sapphire engagement ring). Both stones “make the cut,” because of their beauty and durability. Like diamonds, which are the hardest substance on earth (hence, a stone you know will last a lifetime), sapphires and rubies are extremely durable materials. They are also stunning.

Rubies are pinkish-red (think the ruby slippers in “The Wizard of Oz”), and sapphires are most commonly green. You can also find sapphires in colors like blue, purple, pink, and a yellow so light it can pass for a traditional diamond. Both of these stone are significantly cheaper than a traditional diamond. Like many non-traditional stones, you might have to look harder to find these gems. Talk to a reliable dealer about your interests, and see if he can point you in the right direction.

Also making news these days are raw diamonds, which are bead-shaped diamonds that haven’t been cut. While they’re all over the runways and tres cool, make sure you’re not acting purely on impulse. “These stones are very much a fashion statement,” says Hayley Henning, a New York diamond consultant. “Remember that your purchase is going to last a lifetime, and you don’t want to buy something that you’re going to regret ten years from now.”

Another fetching alternative is colored diamonds, in shades like pink, blue, and green. Henning says they are stunning gems set against gold or platinum, and look great with any skin tone. They’re also very expensive, running up to hundreds of thousands of dollars per carat. “Women often buy these rings after they’ve purchased a white,” says Hayden. “They make for a perfect second diamond.”

Still starving for color? Chocolate, or “cognac,” diamonds are in vogue. The color is a cognac brown, the price is less than regular diamonds, and they are very fashion-forward. Once again, keep in mind tradition versus trend when making your purchase, and talk to a reputable dealer about where to purchase the stone of your choice. As for which one to buy: It all depends on the type of material you’re looking for, girl.

-David Toussaint