If you are drawn to the rich, vibrant hues of jewel-toned gemstones, you’ll love these stunning engagement rings. These two couples chose incredible designs featuring emeralds and a very unique Umba sapphire

Chae and Drew Curated an Antique 1890 Three-Stone Colombian Emerald via Carter’s Collective Fine Jewelry

The Proposal
When Drew began asking Chae about the type of engagement ring she’d like, she found herself overwhelmed by the variety of options. As a jeweler, Chae had helped many couples choose the perfect diamond, but now, faced with round, oval, cushion, and radiant cuts, she couldn’t decide. Each diamond had its own beauty, but none felt like the one. Being a jeweler herself, Chae knew her tendency to change her mind, so she decided to open herself to all possibilities.

The Ring
At her favorite buying show, where Chae represented Carter’s Collective Fine Jewelry, she walked by a case and instantly saw the perfect ring, an 18-karat yellow gold antique piece set with three Colombian emeralds and accented by old miner cut diamonds, creating a stunning five-stone ensemble. Although she has larger fingers (size 8), Chae asked to try it on, not expecting it to fit. To her surprise, it slid on easily, and she immediately felt like she was having her very own Cinderella moment. Excited, she sent a picture to Drew and said, “If you’d like to propose with a ring like this, I’d die!”

So long story short, Drew worked secretly with their buyer Payton, who travels with Chae to shows, and they actually got the exact ring she tried on. It is an original, one-of-a-kind antique ring from 1890, and Chae believes it is the most beautiful ring she’s ever laid eyes on.

Chae’s Notes
Emeralds have long been associated with love, renewal, and beauty, offering a quiet, romantic allure compared to diamonds. The ring features an emerald center stone, which, being softer than diamonds, requires more care. Because emeralds are more delicate, the ring is made with 18-karat gold, which is also a softer metal. Chae wears it a few days a week and has it checked by her jewelers often. She avoids wearing it while working out or lifting things and wears a set of bands daily for added protection.

 Len and Lauren Got engaged with a Rare Tanzanian Umba Purple Sapphire in Black Gold Marei ring

The Proposal
Len and Lauren’s love story began with a chance match on Tinder. Their first date was at Kuma’s Corner in Schaumburg, Illinois, a heavy metal bar known for its burgers and horror movie screenings. That night, they bonded over their mutual love for Tucker and Dale vs. Evil, the movie playing in the background. Over nearly six years together, they have moved across four apartments, eventually settling in California.

Len’s proposal was spontaneous and heartfelt. While exploring San Diego during a vacation, they visited the zoo, excited to see the animals, especially the capybaras, who had just welcomed adorable new babies. Inside a small photo booth, Len seized the perfect moment to propose, capturing the joyful moment in a series of pictures. Though there wasn’t room to kneel, the intimacy of the setting made it all the more special. They spent the rest of the day enjoying the zoo before celebrating with a steak dinner.

The Ring
Len knew from the start that Lauren’s style leaned away from traditional diamond rings. She gravitated toward dark colors, and he wanted a design that reflected her unique aesthetic. After extensive research, he discovered Marei New York and was drawn to Angie Marei’s striking, unconventional designs.

The final ring choice was a perfect representation of Lauren’s style—featuring black gold and a rare purple sapphire from the Umba mines in Tanzania. The deep contrast of purple and black made for a bold yet elegant piece, ensuring that the ring would feel both distinctive and timeless. Len’s careful attention to detail paid off, and he couldn’t have been happier with the result.

Marei’s Notes
For couples looking for a truly one-of-a-kind engagement ring, colored gemstones are a stunning choice. Unlike diamonds, which are graded for uniformity, each colored gemstone has its own distinct character, no two are exactly alike. They offer a unique way to express personal style, whether it’s a deep sapphire, a fiery spinel, or an enchanting emerald. Perfect for jewelry collectors and those who want something different, colored gems add a vibrant pop of color and can be even rarer than diamonds, making them a meaningful and unconventional choice for an engagement ring.

During our initial call, Len told me he was looking for a truly unique engagement ring that would complement his fiancée’s personal style, which is edgy. She loves black, and he came across our work while searching for black gold jewelry. We talked about using colored gemstones, and he shared a few color options that she loved—one being purple. From there, we explored different design elements that resonated with her aesthetic while ensuring the ring felt timeless and beautiful. Len also loved our Pythia Engagement Ring With A Princess Cut Diamond, so we created a bespoke version of this Marei signature design using a very special and rare colored purple sapphire sourced from Umba mines in Tanzania.

Sponsored by AGTA  (The American Gem Trade Association)