Diamond Substitutes For Engagement Rings

Betrothal jewellery is traditionally associated with diamond or sapphire engagement rings, but that does not have to be the norm. In recent years other, more affordable precious stones have proven just as attractive as engagement ring centre-pieces as the old staples. Some have even given the engagement rings in which they were set a more unique, offbeat and individual look that many couples found appealing.

If, however, you or your partner are more traditionalist and want a ‘proper’ engagement ring, you will be happy to know that you won’t necessarily have to splash out or break the bank. Even if you can’t afford a diamond, there are two types of stones which can emulate the ‘diamond effect’ quite well and will cost you a fraction of the price.

Many stones are often labelled ‘diamond substitutes’, such as the ruby or sapphire engagement ring, but if you have your heart set on the diamond look, then you might be interested to hear about two alternative materials. These two stones are cubic zirconium and synthetic moissanite. The former is natural, and can just as easily be found in the nature as in laboratories. The second, as the name indicates, is fully synthetic, due to natural moissanite’s extreme rarity. Both will put a glimmer in your engagement ring without also putting a dent in your finances.

Cubic zirconium is the most common of the two. It is naturally colourless, but colour can easily be injected for added effect. Commercial cubic zirconia are exclusively lab-generated, although, as pointed out above, the stone can also easily be found in nature. Cubic zirconium has the disadvantage of easily being detected in a thermal pen test as not being a diamond, so if you are looking to impress a friend who owns one of these devices, you may want to consider our next option.

In fact, moissanite, a synthetic diamond substitute, can sometimes pass the thermal pen test and be detected as a real diamond. It is, however, an entirely different stone, based around ‘sodium carbide’ or ‘carborundum’, a component often used in electronics. Its thermal signature, extremely similar to that of diamonds, will ‘fool’ the thermal pen, but other instruments will easily detect it as a different stone.

Unless you are actively looking to deceive these testing instruments, however, either of these stones will make an excellent, budget-friendly alternative to a diamond in your engagement ring! And they will certainly offer the wearer a talking point that will surprise her friends a bit more than the classical emerald, ruby, diamond or sapphire engagement ring.

Frank L Orman is the founder of the F&L Designer Guides, compiled and written to help consumers choose a unique engagement ring design. From a diamond to a sapphire engagement ring from a princess cut to a platinum band, we have ideas and opinions covering all the options. Offering advice, tips and suggestions on how to choose that perfect ring, F&L will accompany you on every stage of your search to find the right designer.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.