Let's talk about engagement rings and explore the precious gemstone options that can be used for them! Diamonds are not everyone's cup of tea so it's time to talk about different gemstones and what they have to offer for an engagement ring!
When it comes to engagement rings, I would say 99% of the population thinks of a diamond as the gemstone used. In 1947, De Beers launched its slogan, “A Diamond is Forever.” The durability of a diamond conveyed the meaning that marriage is forever. On the Mohs scale, which is what we use to measure the hardness of a gemstone, the Diamond is a 10 out of 10. So, yes, of course a diamond should represent marriage, something that cannot be broken. However, sometimes people want their ring to represent something different. Sometimes people also don't want to completely break the bank on a ring. That doesn't mean their marriage is less important or meaningful. Even if a Diamond is highest on the Mohs hardness scale, it can still be lost. Then what? Does that mean the marriage is also lost? No, silly! Let's talk about 3 other precious gemstones that can be used in engagement rings!
Lets start with Moissanite! Moissanite is a white silicone-carbide-based stone that is commonly associated with the synthetic variation that has now become a popular substitute for the diamond. Unless you are a gemologist, you probably can't tell the difference between two, which is a quality people love about the stone. You could probably tell your wife that the ring is a Diamond and she would never know its Moissanite! I don't want to give you any ideas though.... Unlike diamonds, Moissanite is made in a lab, ensuring that the stone is colorless and more brilliant than a Diamond, meaning it will "shine bright like a diamond" but even brighter! The durability of Moissanite on the Mohs hardness scale is a 9.5, making it almost as hard as the diamond. A 1 carat diamond of I color and VS2 clarity would cost in the region of $4,000 – $5,000. Even the best Moissanite of the same weight would cost less than $600.
Let's talk about my favorite gemstone now - Opals!
Opal's come in all shapes, sizes, and colors! They can be cheaper than Diamonds, depending on the specific Opal. If you feel like your marriage is unique or you don't want a typical colorless gemstone on your hand, I would recommend an Opal engagement ring. If you have a specific budget and color preference, you will be able to find exactly what you want with an Opal. They range in all types of colors and prices. The only downfall as far as gemstones go, is that Opals are softer than most, with a rating of 5.5 to 6.0 on the Mohs hardness scale. If you are someone that wants to sleep with your ring on and doesn't remember to take it off when you do the dishes, the Opal might not be for you. 
And for the final and rarest stone of them all - Demantoid Garnet!
The Demantoid Garnet is a rare and beautiful green variety of Audradite Garnet. It appears to have first been discovered around 1892 in the Bobrovka area of Russia. The name Demantoid actually means 'Diamond like'. The name comes from the Dutch and makes reference to the outstanding quality of this gem, its incomparable brilliance and fire. The Demantoid has an extremely high refractive index of 1.880 to 1.889. To explain, a gemstone with a high refractive index has the ability to bend light entering the stone and redirect more light back to your eyes, meaning the Demantoid sparkles well in light. The Demantoid Garnet is also a 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs Hardness scale. Because of the rarity, a Demantoid Garnet might cost you around the same or possibly more than a Diamond of the same caret weight and quality. This stone is going to be great for lovers of the color green. If green is your favorite color or you are a very earthy person, this stone might be the perfect fit. The best part is, it looks amazing in a setting surrounded by Diamonds.
