Opulence
While diamonds are the traditional stone of choice for engagement rings, they are far from your only option. Over the last few decades, couples have been returning to the plethora of other coloured gemstones for the centrepiece of their ring, as they offer a personal statement and unique symbolism personal to them. Western Australia Wedding & Bride’s Jacqueline Foy sits down with Rochelle Purdy, second-in-command at Carmen Jewellers Joondalup, to explore alternative engagement rings to make your bridal look as unique as you are.
Image Credit: Carmen Jewellers
As a girl coming from the Goldfields, Purdy was brought up behind the counters of her own family-run business, where her passion for bespoke fine jewellery was ignited. Engagement rings are, first and foremost, a symbol of love and commitment between you and your partner. Whether the ring you love is a diamond ring or features a coloured gemstone as a centrepiece, the ring you choose will be a one-of-a-kind reflection of your love story. Purdy describes alternative engagement rings as a beautiful way to symbolise your love and express special meanings unique to you. Read along to discover how to create a truly personal piece of jewellery to reflect your love story.
A Girl’s Best Friend
There’s a reason diamonds are the known choice when it comes to engagement rings – diamonds are one of the strongest naturally occurring substances on earth and are well-known to symbolise the eternal love and commitment that comes with marriage. If you’re looking for something more classic and traditional, but want to consider alternatives to diamonds, your best bet is to opt for a clear stone.
In the last few years, man-made gems like moissanite and cubic zirconia have become some of the most popular diamond alternatives. Moissanite and cubic zirconia are made to look a lot like diamonds and moissanite is almost as durable. These alternatives come in at a fraction of the price of a diamond and moissanite in particular can have a beautiful, reflective sparkle that is difficult to get with even the most high-quality diamond.
Life In Colour
All throughout history, non-diamond engagement rings have been popular in most cultures. The enormous variety that coloured gemstones offer allows you complete freedom to customise your engagement ring to reflect any special meaning. Sapphires – especially royal blue hues – and rubies have been revered among European royalty for generations with Princess Diana’s Ceylon blue sapphire being one of the most famous engagement rings in the world.
Purdy has also noticed an increase in emeralds, another classic gemstone that has long been considered a beautiful non-diamond choice for an engagement ring. “People are constantly influenced by their environment, some like to encapsulate an essence, others like to mimic their idols,” Purdy says, noting that alternatives like sapphires and emeralds will live on as young people continue to idolise the likes of royalty and celebrities.
The biggest pro of non-diamond engagement ring is that alternative gemstones are generally more affordable – diamonds are expensive and their price tag often makes them inaccessible to many. With a non-diamond gemstone, you’re automatically making your ring stand out. The wealth of choice means you will have something unique and
different from the traditional engagement ring and can bring a sense of fun and personality to the jewellery you will wear every day.
“Sapphires, emeralds and any gemstone for that matter are a whole different ballpark to diamonds,” Purdy says. “Each gemstone is uniquely different to each other as opposed to a diamond. Diamond grading is very precise and set in stone – pun intended,” she adds. Sapphires come in all different shapes and colours from white, black-
blue, ocean-blue, teal blue, Ceylon blue, green, yellow, pink – you name it! This allows a world of choice and customisation and provides special significance to your ring. With so many options, your ring could feature any number of meanings that are ultimately personal to you.
Things To Consider
When opting for a diamond alternative, you must keep in mind that some gemstones are not fit for everyday wear and the strength of your chosen stone is critical. While other gemstones can be strong, none are as strong as a diamond. “If hands are dry, grease stained or callused, I can ask if they are working with their hands every day or if it is a hobby,” Purdy says. “In this way I can advise materials and design that will be both what they want and ensure its practicality,” she adds.
“Very rarely do people come to buy or make a piece on a simple whim. Jewellery is an extension of a person; it is sentimental and often holds both love and memory,” Purdy says. The most important thing when creating a custom piece for a client is understanding them and creating a personal connection to foster trust and excitement and hold empathy. Being able to effectively translate a customer’s needs into industry-specific jargon allows the team at Carmen Jewellers to provide you with service and products completely tailored to their own unique experiences, so the piece becomes its own unique reflection of them.
“Many brides are anxious and scared to take the risky, unconventional route, but it’s your big day and you will look stunning regardless!” Purdy says. Her final advice is to take a leap of faith, be bold and do what you feel is right.