The Rough Alternative to the Classic Diamond Engagement Ring

If you are considering a diamond engagement ring, you may be under the impression that your only option is the classic colourless diamond. You would be under a great misapprehension, for not only do diamonds come in many brilliant and varying hues, but there has recently been a growing trend for rings set with rough, uncut diamonds.

Colour diamonds in their natural, rough form offer something truly unique and alternative for those brides who consider a classic white diamond engagement ring to be the height of unoriginality. Don’t be mistaken in picturing dull and pointy stones, as rough diamonds come in a wild, brilliant spectrum of shapes and appearances, often out-shining even the most perfect round-cut diamond.

Rough diamond jewellery is fashioned from stones that have yet to be cut and are still in their natural state, and while they lack the renowned sparkle, brilliance and clarity of diamonds that have been cut and polished, they more than make up for it. No two rough diamonds are ever alike, and even the colour of rough diamonds is different from that of their polished counterparts, emitting a natural glow as opposed to an outright sparkle. Ranging in a wide variety of colours, from milky white to yellow, green and brown, each individual diamond has its own fascinating and distinct hue. From a budget standpoint, the cost of uncut diamonds is far below that of cut and polished diamonds, although the absence of any system for evaluating uncut diamonds can make it difficult for consumers to evaluate pricing. This is the result of the widely used ‘4C’ standards – cut, clarity, colour and carat – for evaluating diamonds which is not applicable to uncut stones. Nevertheless, a rough diamond engagement ring offers a beautifully unique, low-cost alternative to the typical diamond. However, it is recommended that you adorn a large rough diamond with smaller polished ones as this will create a stunning contrast and allows for a bit of extra sparkle.

Rough diamonds are seen as the perfect combination of the growing demand for colour diamonds and fashion’s recent attraction towards things that are natural and organic. This trend has signalled a return to more natural and elemental aspects of a diamond, as well as appealing to eco-conscious couples. While this is by no mean the right choice for every bride-to-be, those who find the classic diamond a touch too glitzy and prefer a more rustic look will consider that the rough uncut diamond engagement ring could be the answer.

Frederick Holm writes for the F&L Designer Guides, which hosts a thriving community of independent engagement ring designers in the UK. Inspired by their journey of discovery in search of a distinctive, one-of-a-kind diamond engagement ring, F&L now celebrates the works of their favourite designers and helps promote the notion of "Go Bespoke" as a more imaginative and interesting alternative to the limitations of High Street shopping.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.