Trends
Why Gemstone Engagement Rings are Back on the Rise
From sapphire solitaires to emerald halos, modern couples are turning away from tradition and embracing rings that speak to their individuality, values and style. Whether it’s about making a bolder style statement, choosing something with deeper meaning or simply finding better value, gemstone rings are becoming the engagement choice of a new generation. Here's why.
Gemstones are on the rise and they’re giving diamonds a run for their money. Before ‘the diamond invention’ by De Beers in the 1950s, gemstones were the stone of choice for engagement rings; a trend which seems to be making a return.
Vogue has heralded the comeback of colourful engagement rings. A slew of celebrities are now opting for alternative stones, paving the way for modern brides seeking something beyond the solitaire diamond prescribed by 1950s proposal conventions.
Gemstones offer not only greater value for money, but the chance to express individuality and sentimental meaning. This is something which young couples of today are leaning into.
The Diamond Myth
The myth that engagement rings must be diamonds was created by the N.W. Ayer advertising agency, hired by De Beers in 1947 to manipulate American demand for the stone. The campaign involved the gifting of diamonds to movie stars and the placement of stories and talks by fashion designers and stylists in popular editorials. The notion that diamonds represented everlasting love and romance quickly infiltrated American culture and, as a result, sales of the stone rose from $23 million in 1939 to $2.1 billion in 1979.
While diamonds became more popular, the price soared, with the stone doubling in cost between 1944 and 1949, leading the price of gemstones to sit significantly lower than diamonds.
Here’s an example - a size ‘Big’ emerald cut Aquamarine with a surface area of 9x7mm, pictured on the left, typically weighing around 2 carats costs £3,200. Whereas, the equivalent size in an emerald cut diamond costs north of £14,000 at traditional jewellers. The value of gemstones is clearly immense.
A Royal Seal of Approval
While diamonds may be the first thing you think of when you hear engagement ring, the tradition of the proposal ring significantly predates the diamond invention of the fifties. Engagement rings can be traced back to ancient civilisations, where women wore bands of ivory, flint, bone, copper and iron to symbolise a business contract. As a result of Alexander the Great’s reach, Greek jewellery featured a heavy Asian influence, leading to the incorporation of a variety of colourful stones which were imported along the Silk Road. Emeralds, garnets and pearls became popular in Ancient Greece with sapphires and rubies adorning the early engagement rings.
So even though diamonds and proposals might be synonymous now, the gemstone ring has a rich tradition founded in Ancient Greece - and we think that’s pretty romantic!
Gemstones have long been a staple of luxury wardrobes and the much-loved choice for engagement rings among royalty.
The Victorian period saw engagement rings evolve into bold statement pieces as gemstone mining expanded as an industry. Queen Victoria’s engagement ring featured an emerald set in a coiled snake of gold with ruby and diamond accents. The pattern of royal gemstone engagement rings continued with Wallis Simpson’s showstopping 20 carat emerald-cut emerald trilogy surrounded by accent diamonds, followed by Princess Diana’s iconic blue sapphire ring - a defining fashion moment of the late 20th Century, which was later passed onto Kate Middleton.
If there’s anything that embodies the timeless elegance of fine jewellery, it’s the royal family. Their continued preference for coloured gemstones is testament to the enduring appeal of colourful stones.
Celebrities are Saying ‘Yes’ to Gemstone
While the timelessness of gemstones is displayed by the royal family, their modern appeal is embraced by some of the world’s biggest celebrities.
The list of stars who have opted for a coloured gemstone is endless, with Gwyneth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham, Dakota Johnson, Scarlett Johansson, Halle Berry and Lily Collins - to name a few - leading the trend. It’s no secret that celebrities often like to stand out with their fashion choices and their engagement rings are no exception.
Gwyneth Paltrow and Victoria Beckham both wear striking deep blue sapphire rings, while Dakota Johnson and Halle Berry have embraced the vivid beauty of emerald solitaires. Scarlett and Lily have gone for champagne and light pink coloured diamonds, respectively. More and more, celebrities are turning to coloured gemstones as a way to express their individuality, opting for rings that reflect their personal style and stand out from the traditional diamond engagement ring.
Stones as unique as your story
As coloured engagement rings are becoming more popular in the media, more real-world couples are also favouring the alternative pieces. The rise of individuality has meant that more couples want to pick a stone that is bold and different, something unique to them.
Each gemstone is individual, from its exact colour to the way it’s cut. For instance, each emerald is different and has its own distinctive set of feather-like inclusions. Some have yellowish undertones and others display more hues of blue, as a result of its country of origin and the conditions it was formed under.
The uniqueness of each stone makes it a perfect symbol of a special love story.
Gemstone jewellery is often passed down as an heirloom, or acts as a reminder of a parent or grandparent who had gemstone jewellery, making it an extra special choice for a ring. The specific meanings of each stone and their roles as birthstones greatly contribute to making them a treasured choice throughout history. While an emerald represents successful love, a yellow sapphire symbolises happiness and good fortune, you can pick something that resonates with you.
Finally, affordability is a major driver for picking a gemstone. In today’s economy, gemstone rings are becoming the no-brainer choice, with the 3 months’ salary myth thrown out the window! So, if you’re someone who loves the look of a bigger stone, or just loves a splash of colour, a gemstone ring might be the choice for you.
Get in touch
If you’re interested in choosing a gemstone ring, or alternatively are looking for a diamond engagement ring, our team would be happy to help.
Our expert gemmologists can help you through every step of the journey from picking out the perfect stone from our standard collection, to helping you to create your own bespoke piece.
Get in touch with our expert concierge or book your appointment here.
