Gemstone Engagement Rings Guide

Blue sapphire is favored in engagement rings for its brilliant saturation. With a Mohs rating of 9, sapphires are one of the hardest gemstones and a popular choice for jewelry that will see daily wear. Blue sapphires are dazzling in step cuts and have been said to foster honesty and loyalty.

Emeralds are characterized by an intense, green hue. This verdant gemstone facets exquisitely and is a favorite for its namesake, the emerald cut, which accentuates its color. Emeralds often have inclusions that have the appearance of moss, creating a garden of delights inside that will grow truth and happiness and truth in your marriage. Emeralds rate a 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, making them fairly durable, but you’ll want to wear it with care to avoid chipping and scratches.

Saint Valentine, the patron saint of lovers, wore an amethyst ring carved into the likeness of Cupid. Carry your valentine with you always with an amethyst engagement ring, which you can find in shades from pale lilac to richly saturated purple. This show-stopping gem is eye-clean and pairs wonderfully with a blushing rose gold band. A hardness rating of 7 means amethyst engagement rings are durable enough to wear daily with care.

Aquamarine symbolizes tranquility and protection in marriage. Icy blues and lush teals are signatures of this eye-clean gemstone, and a hardness of 7.5 to 8 makes aquamarine a fine choice for an engagement ring if you wear it with care. A cushion-cut aquamarine engagement ring with a halo of diamonds showcases the color and clarity of this gemstone beautifully.

The otherworldly opal is known for its spectral iridescence. These gems favor cabochon or domed cuts that highlight the opal’s natural color-play. Opals are the gemstone of good fortune, and they bring luck to lovers. They’re a softer gem, with a Mohs rating of just 5 to 6.5. They’re highly susceptible to scratching and other damage, and we don’t recommend opal engagement rings unless your lifestyle fits the type of wear it requires.

Moonstone is a popular choice for engagement rings due to the way light billows across its surface, an ethereal, otherworldly effect that makes it hard to pull your eyes away. Fine moonstone has a bewitching blue glow, and a cabochon cut beautifully captures this colorful phenomenon. This extraordinary gem represents eternal love—but it falls between 6 and 6.5 on the Mohs scale, so if you choose a moonstone engagement ring, you’ll need to wear it very gently to prevent scratches and other damage.