Alternative Engagement Ring Stones and Their Romantic Meanings

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Are diamonds really a girl’s best friend? If you’re asking yourself the same question, you’ve come to the right place. While diamonds have long been considered the traditional stone for engagement rings, they are not the only option.

There are multiple reasons why you may choose an alternative stone. Maybe you prefer something more unique. Maybe you don’t want to support the diamond business where lives are lost yearly, creating the term “blood diamond.” Maybe you just don’t want to spend an average of $4,000+ on a ring . . .

Here are 10 modern, beautiful, and meaningful engagement ring alternatives:

1. Onyx

Onyx is a very durable gemstone. It represents protection and balance. It is also believed to deflect negative energies. In India, Onyx is worn as a protective measure for harmonious relationships, believed to keep the relationship strong.

A photo posted by Elizabeth Kranz (@themoonstoned) on Oct 23, 2016 at 1:46pm PDT

2. Opal

The name opal is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit upala, meaning “precious stone.” Among the ancients, opal was a symbol of fidelity and assurance. It is also associated with love, passion, and lightness. It is a seductive stone that intensifies emotional states and releases inhibitions.

A photo posted by Lindy (@penellibelle) on Oct 6, 2016 at 10:40am PDT

3. Pearl

A pearl is one gem that does not come from the earth. It is a gem that forms in mollusks. Pearl is one of the nine sacred gems listed in Sanskrit, Chinese, Arabic, and Burmese. Pearls are associated with harmony, humility, purity, and worth.

A photo posted by MJ Jewellers Ltd (@mjjewellers) on Sep 30, 2016 at 12:37pm PDT

4. Ruby

Rubies are a favorite gem among those in power and those in love, believed to inspire more emotion than almost any other stone. Throughout time, rubies have been said to have many positive effects and mystical properties. The ruby is associated with the sun, and was thought to preserve mental and physical health. Is it also associated with fire, royalty, and opening of the heart.

A photo posted by Amy ? (@thatvintagekitten) on Oct 21, 2016 at 4:31pm PDT

5. Turquoise

Turquoise is a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum. It has been traditionally worn as a promise of fidelity between lovers. Turquoise has been used for thousands of years across many cultures for its protective properties, and it also associated with the throat chakra for clear communication.

A photo posted by Dominica Rossa (@minkykitten) on Oct 9, 2016 at 9:58am PDT

6. Sapphire

Sapphires have been prized as precious gemstones since 800 BCE. The sapphire has been identified with chastity, piety, and repentance. It brings wisdom and truth, along with protection and has been historically used to represent all things sacred.

A photo posted by Starlanka Fine Gems (@bluesapphirestones) on Oct 15, 2016 at 9:11am PDT

7. Aquamarine

Aquamarine is associated with water and particularly the ocean, and is known for its healing and cleansing qualities. This stone is believed to bring protection to the wearer and has been traditionally worn as a wedding ring to maintain a healthy, strong relationship.

A photo posted by Theresa Pytell (@theresapytelljewelry) on Sep 26, 2016 at 6:39am PDT

8. Amethyst

The typical color of an amethyst boasts the color of royalty, a rich violet-purple. The amethyst is associated with beauty, calm, fulfillment, perfection, sincerity, spiritual balance, tranquility and wisdom. It is often exchanged between two lovers to strengthen their commitment. It is also one of the few stones specifically prescribed for men to use for attracting women.

A photo posted by Danielle Louise Nash (@somethingforfay) on Aug 24, 2016 at 2:44am PDT

9. Emerald

A fine emerald may actually be two to three times as valuable as a diamond. The ancients associated emerald with the Greek goddess Venus – the goddess of love and beauty – for it was said to protect lovers from unfaithfulness.

A photo posted by JR COLOMBIAN EMERALDS (@colombianemeralds) on Sep 3, 2016 at 9:25am PDT

10. Morganite

Morganite is the official gem of Madagascar. It is known both as an angel stone, and a heart stone. In general, morganite gently cleanses the heart, opening it to unconditional love, unfulfilled emotional needs and unexpressed feelings.

A photo posted by Harley Nicole ????? (@msharleynicole) on Aug 22, 2016 at 5:39pm PDT

While diamonds are beautiful, there are many other stones to choose from with equal and different beauty that are also packed with special meaning and offer many powerful properties.

Have you fallen in love with any of these alternative stone picks? Or perhaps you already have a unique engagement ring? Feel free to share and comment below – we love hearing from you.