7 Unique & Alternative Engagement Rings For Your Personal Love Story

Whether it’s the timeless charm of sapphires, the fiery passion of rubies or the modern, ethical sparkle of lab grown diamonds, each gemstone brings its own story and meaning to your ring. Our engagement rings collection is full of inspiration, and our gemstone guide delves into the colours, symbolism and craftsmanship behind these beautiful alternatives.

The tradition of proposing with a diamond engagement ring began in the 1940s, thanks to a hugely successful marketing campaign by diamond company De Beers. Their 1947 slogan, “A Diamond is Forever,” cleverly linked diamonds to eternal love and commitment, making them the go-to symbol for proposals around the world.

For more on the history of engagement rings, including those before diamonds became a symbol of love and marriage, read our full guide: A History of Engagement Rings & Their Meaning.

Yes, proposing with a non-diamond engagement ring is absolutely normal and increasingly popular. There’s no rule that says your ring must feature a diamond; what matters most is that it reflects your partner’s taste and your shared story.

Many couples choose vibrant gemstones like sapphires, rubies or emeralds for their colour and meaning, while others prefer distinctive designs without any stones at all, or even another piece of meaningful jewellery entirely. The perfect engagement ring is deeply personal, and whether that means a diamond or something entirely different is entirely up to you both.

When it comes to choosing an engagement ring, more couples are looking for something that feels truly personal. Here are seven alternative engagement ring ideas, each with its own unique inspiration and meaning – perfect for telling your love story.

A sapphire engagement ring is one of the most popular and meaningful alternatives to a diamond. Renowned for its striking deep blue hue, sapphire also comes in a surprising range of colours, from soft pinks and vibrant yellows to classic whites, allowing you to create a ring design as unique as your love story. Chosen by royalty for centuries, most famously Princess Diana, sapphires bring a timeless yet distinctive look to any engagement ring.

Symbolically, sapphires are associated with wisdom, loyalty and truth, making them a beautiful representation of commitment and trust in a relationship. They’re also thought to enhance mental clarity and spiritual insight, making this gemstone a deeply meaningful choice.

Discover more about designing your perfect sapphire engagement ring, and explore our in-depth sapphire guide for further inspiration and insight into this enchanting stone.

An emerald engagement ring is a striking and meaningful choice for those looking to move away from tradition. Best known for its vivid green hue, emeralds actually display a spectrum of shades – from deep forest greens to soft, fresh spring tones – giving you the opportunity to craft a truly unique design. Historically prized by royalty and worn as a symbol of power and prosperity, emeralds bring a rich, timeless elegance to any engagement ring.

Emerald gemstones are said to symbolise growth and renewal, making them a particularly romantic choice for the start of a lifelong journey together. They’re also associated with wisdom and balance in relationships, reflecting a partnership built on harmony and mutual understanding.

Learn more about creating your ideal emerald engagement ring, and visit our emerald guide for everything you need to know about this captivating gemstone.

A ruby engagement ring is a bold and exquisite choice, perfect for couples who want a design that stands out and makes a statement. Famous for its rich, fiery red hue, the ruby has long been associated with royalty and romance, often referred to as the ‘king of gemstones’. Coveted throughout history as a symbol of wealth and power, the ruby remains a timeless option for those looking to express a deep and passionate love.

Ruby gemstones are said to represent love, passion and courage, making them a beautifully meaningful symbol of a strong, enduring relationship. They’re also thought to inspire confidence and vitality, bringing energy and strength to a couple’s journey together.

Discover more about designing your perfect ruby engagement ring, and explore our ruby guide for everything you need to know about this fiery gemstone.

Before choosing a diamond alternative engagement ring, it’s worth weighing up the benefits and potential drawbacks to decide what’s right for you and your partner. From affordability and individuality to considerations around durability and sparkle, here’s what you need to know about the pros and cons of going beyond the traditional diamond.

Choosing an alternative to a traditional diamond engagement ring comes with plenty of appealing benefits:

• Affordability – Many alternatives, like sapphires, rubies or even lab grown diamonds, can cost significantly less than a natural diamond of similar size and quality.

• Ethical considerations – Opting for a lab grown diamond can offer greater peace of mind for those concerned about the environmental and social impact of mined diamonds.

• Uniqueness – Coloured gemstones and unusual designs allow you to create a truly one-of-a-kind ring that stands out and reflects your partner’s personality.

• Variety of colours and meanings – Alternatives like sapphires, emeralds and rubies come in a spectrum of hues, each with symbolic meaning that adds depth and sentiment to your choice.

• Creative design options – Without the constraints of traditional diamond settings, alternative rings often embrace more inventive, vintage-inspired or playful designs. Explore our Engagement Rings Style Guide to find inspiration and learn more about ring designs and settings.

While alternative engagement rings are growing in popularity, there are a few factors to consider before making your choice:

• Durability – Not all gemstones are as hard and durable as diamonds; softer stones can scratch or chip more easily with everyday wear.

• Brilliance and sparkle – Diamonds remain unmatched for their exceptional brilliance and fire; coloured stones tend to reflect light differently and may appear less sparkly.

• Resale or heirloom value – Natural diamonds will typically have a higher resale value than gemstones, depending on the rarity of the gemstone.
  

• Availability of designs – Some jewellers may have more limited options when it comes to setting and styling alternative gemstones.

Before choosing a diamond alternative, it’s worth keeping a few key factors in mind to ensure your ring is perfect for both now and the years to come:

• Budget – Many alternatives, including coloured gemstones and lab grown diamonds, can be more affordable than a natural diamond, allowing you to prioritise size, quality or design within your price range.
• Durability – Consider how durable the stone will be for everyday wear. On the Mohs Hardness Scale (which measures resistance to scratching), diamonds score a perfect 10. Sapphire and ruby, both varieties of corundum, are also impressively durable at 9, making them excellent alternatives. Emeralds, however, are softer at 7.5–8, which means they need extra care.
• Colour preference – Do you or your partner prefer a classic clear stone or a vibrant splash of colour? Gemstones like sapphire, emerald and ruby offer stunning hues and unique symbolism.
• Setting compatibility – Not all stones suit every type of setting; softer stones like emerald may not be suited to delicate designs and may need more protective settings.
• Long-term maintenance – Some stones will require more regular care and maintenance to keep them looking their best, particularly those that are softer or more prone to scratching.
• Ethical considerations – Lab grown diamonds and responsibly sourced gemstones offer more sustainable and ethical alternatives to mined diamonds, giving you peace of mind about your choice.

If you’re looking for an alternative engagement ring that still offers the sparkle, durability and timeless appeal of a diamond – without the same price tag – a lab grown diamond engagement ring is most likely the best choice. When it comes to lab diamonds vs natural diamonds, they're chemically and physically identical to each other – the only differences are how lab diamonds are made, which is more sustainable than the mining of natural diamonds, as well as their significantly lower cost.

Discover Queensmith’s own sustainably produced and carbon-neutral lab diamond collection, Grown by Queensmith, to see if this could be the perfect choice for your proposal.

Whatever you envision – from a colourful gemstone to a sustainable lab grown diamond – we believe you should have the freedom to create an engagement ring that's as unique and personal as your love story. With the help of our expert gemmologists, you can design a one-of-a-kind bespoke engagement ring that feels truly you.