Sponsored by AGTA (The American Gem Trade Association)
During the 2024 engagement season, more couples embraced colored gemstones for their rings, breaking tradition with unique hues that reflected their personalities, values, and love stories. In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing the stories of seven couples who chose colored gemstone engagement rings, each with a unique and personal approach to celebrating their love. But first, let’s dive into the world of colored gemstones, what makes them so special, and how shopping for them differs from shopping for diamonds.
We asked John Ford, AGTA‘s CEO, about his favorite gemstones for engagement rings and why working with AGTA members is essential when sourcing a colored gemstone.
“For engagement rings, rubies, sapphires, and spinels are great choices. In Australia, for example, opal is often worn in engagement rings, so conventional thinking goes out the window – just let your heart decide what color of the rainbow suits you. I promise there is a colored gemstone just waiting to help you express your love in an engagement ring.”
Ford adds, “Colored stones are evaluated based on color, clarity, cut, and carat weight like white diamonds, but there is no universal standard and, therefore, no set price for any stone. Colored gemstones are individually unique. Whether you’re selling or buying colored gemstones, it’s important to have proper disclosures and quality assurances. This is why buying from an AGTA dealer is important. AGTA member wholesalers and retailers abide by the AGTA code of ethics and fair business practices, which ensures that everyone can buy and sell with confidence.”
This sentiment is echoed by AGTA member Angie Marei, who designed an engagement ring for one of the featured couples.
“As a designer committed to quality and ethical sourcing, I typically work with AGTA members when sourcing my colored gemstones to ensure the highest standard of ethical practices. The people I source from within AGTA are not just experts in their craft—they are deeply passionate about gemstones and uphold integrity in every step of the process. Many of my suppliers are small businesses, and we support each other in maintaining responsible sourcing, traceability, and a commitment to natural, beautiful gemstones. It’s a community where craftsmanship and ethical standards go hand in hand, ensuring each piece is as meaningful as it is stunning.”
Most Wanted Gemstones for Engagement Rings in 2024
Emerald, Ruby, Spinel, and Sapphire are the four gemstones favored by couples when picking a colored gemstone for their engagement ring.
Sapphires & Rubies
About four times softer than diamonds but harder than emeralds, sapphires and rubies offer excellent durability and a vast color spectrum, making them ideal for engagement rings in various settings and styles. Sapphires may contain visible inclusions, which can resemble small feathers or crystals. Heat treating can improve clarity and dissolve visible inclusions, though some customers prefer more included stones for their unique, special look.
Spinel
Often mistaken for ruby or sapphire throughout history, spinel is a distinct gemstone prized for its brilliance and rich range of colors. Slightly softer than corundum but still highly durable, spinel is an excellent choice for engagement rings. It occurs naturally in hues from deep reds and vibrant pinks to steely blues and moody greys. Unlike many gemstones, spinel is rarely treated, making its natural clarity and vivid saturation particularly desirable. While some stones may have minor inclusions, they typically do not require enhancement, appealing to those who appreciate their untouched beauty.
Emeralds
These vivid green stones (7.5-8 on the Mohs scale) may not be ideal for everyday wear with an active lifestyle. Despite their hardness rating, they’re prone to breakage, especially larger stones with more inclusions. However, they can be worn daily with careful treatment; avoid contact with cleaning solutions and chemicals and take your engagement ring off if you are going to be rough on your hands.
Most Popular Gemstones For Engagement Rings in 2024: Teal Sapphires
Origin & Sourcing
Teal sapphires are mined worldwide, from Rock Creek, Montana to Central Queensland, Australia. Montana sapphires are particularly prized for their vibrant color and high quality.
Color & Clarity
Teal is a medium to dark greenish-blue color that falls on the color spectrum between green and blue. The term “blue green” is often used to describe sapphires whose subtle hues can be specified as teal, aqua, robin’s egg blue, or sea foam.
Color zoning is another natural occurrence in teal sapphires, creating a watercolor-esque blend of blues and greens. When planning your budget, consider that paler, more included teal sapphires will be more affordable than brighter, clearer stones.
Setting Options
Rated 9 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, sapphires are among the hardest gemstones available for jewelry (second only to diamonds). This durability means your setting options are plentiful and not limited by the integrity of your gemstone choice:
- Bezel settings: As Josette Patterson from Mark Patterson notes, “One of the oldest and timeless type of setting that has been used for centuries is the bezel setting. It was created to protect the stone. It’s great for an active lifestyle and it has a sleek look.”
- Prong settings: Provide a classic, minimal look with a pop of color
- 3-stone setting: A playful way to combine a mix of gemstones or diamonds and colored gemstones to get the best of both worlds
Budget Considerations
Teal sapphires generally cost less than natural diamonds of comparable size, allowing your budget to accommodate either a larger center stone or additional side stones. Quality ethical gemstone rings can be found in the $2,000-$2,500 range.
Get Ready for Love Stories That Shine Bright
Forget cookie-cutter proposals and traditional rings , we’re about to share seven real-life love stories that prove colored gemstones engagement rings are way more than just jewelry. Each couple we’re featuring has a totally unique take on how they chose a colored gemstone that tells their love story. From unexpected stone choices to rings that break all the rules, these couples are rewriting the engagement playbook. Stay tuned! Spoiler alert their engagement rings are in the collage above!
The ring featured at the top if the article is from Bario Neal featuring an octogonal Cut emerald with sapphires, a salt and pepper diamond and a rose cut diamond.
