Alternative Engagement Rings. Born of the earth. Attuned to your heart.
Coloured gemstones bring depth and personality to your traditional Diamond engagement ring. But not every stone holds the inner strength to endure the daily rituals of your love story.
This guide will introduce you to gemstone hardness, why it matters, and which coloured stones are strong enough to honour your connection year after year.
Why Gemstone Hardness Matters for Engagement Rings
An engagement ring is more than a symbol of your love and commitment, it’s a daily adornment that moves with you through life. So it’s vital they’re anchored by a resilient stone.
Gemstone hardness signals how well a stone will wear over time. The harder your gemstone, the better it can withstand your shared adventures and life’s gentle knocks.
What is the Mohs Scale of Hardness?
The Mohs Hardness Scale ranks gemstones from 1 to 10 based on their ability to resist scratching. The higher the number, the harder the stone.
It doesn’t measure whether a stone might break or chip, but it does reveal how your stone will stand up to the rhythm of everyday wear over a lifetime.
At the very top of the scale sits the Diamond, a flawless 10. Diamond’s unrivalled hardness has made it the enduring choice for engagement rings such as our Aeon Ring, crafted in 14kt gold and set with a luminous light yellow diamond.
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Aeon Light Yellow Diamond Ring in 14kt Yellow Gold |
Still, classic White Diamonds aren’t the only stones worthy of your forever. Brown Diamonds, also known as Champagne Diamonds or Brandy Diamonds, offer an earthy, luminous alternative to traditional white engagement stones. If your love story calls for colour, our Molten Brown Diamond Ring honours devotion beyond the ordinary featuring a trio of warm Cognac-hued Diamonds, anchored into a molten-like band with decorative gypsy settings.
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Let’s explore more coloured stones that embody strength and illuminate devotion.
Coloured Gemstones We Trust for Engagement Rings
Coloured gemstones are naturally powerful alternatives to the Diamond. Alive with energy, meaning and strength, they make meaningful choices for lasting alternative engagement rings.
Here are our most trusted and durable gemstones for your engagement.
Sapphire (Mohs 9)
The embodiment of loyalty and commitment.
With a Mohs rating of 9, Sapphire is naturally scratch-resistent. Second only to Diamond, its strength means your Sapphire engagement ring will carry its radiance from your first “I do” to every anniversary after.
Whether you’re drawn to its deep ocean blues or rare spectrum of colours, Sapphire endures with elemental grace. Our most sought-after shades Teal Sapphire and Green Sapphire bring modern vitality to this ancient gem, pairing luminous colour with enduring strength.
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Explore More Sapphire Engagement Rings
Channel The Elemental Energy Of Sapphire On Your Wedding Day
Ruby (Mohs 9)
A stone of passion and protection.
Fierce and steadfast, Ruby ranks equally with Sapphire as one of the most enduring coloured gemstones. With a Mohs rating of 9, Ruby’s deep crimson hue and tightly interlocked crystal structure make it a resilient engagement ring choice for lovers with a bold and unbreakable bond.
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Explore More Ruby Engagement Rings
Emerald (Mohs 7.5–8)
A talisman of growth and connection.
Emerald’s vivid green beauty pulses with eternal love. Ranking between 7.5 and 8 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, emeralds are resilient when worn with intention. Their signature inclusions, known as jardin, lend each stone unique character but can also make them more susceptible to scratches and chipping. With secure bezel settings in 9kt yellow gold, your Emerald engagement ring can become a vivid, living expression of devotion.
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Explore More Emerald Engagement Rings
Aquamarine (Mohs 7.5–8)
The gem of truth and communication.
Rippling with serene oceanic blues and a Mohs ranking of 7.5 to 8, Aquamarine’s solid resistance to everyday scratches brings a steady strength to any engagement ring. Though slightly softer than Sapphire or Ruby, its sturdy crystal structure makes it suitable for daily wear when set thoughtfully in secure four-claw or low bezel settings to preserve its luminous glow.
Ideal for those who cherish calm communication and deep emotional connection, an Aquamarine engagement ring reflects a love that flows with grace and clarity.
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Explore More Aquamarine Engagement Rings
Tourmaline (Mohs 7–7.5)
An expression of transformation and joy.
Radiating life, Tourmaline’s kaleidoscope of colours is matched by a Mohs Hardness of 7 to 7.5, offering everyday durability when worn with mindful care. Tourmaline’s complex crystalline structure holds well with low bezel or secure claw settings in 9kt yellow gold to protect its surface and allow its colour and light to shine.
Perfect for lovers who see beauty in evolution and power in play, a Tourmaline engagement ring is a radiant honouring of love that shifts and deepens over time.
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Explore More Tourmaline Engagement Rings
Which Gemstones Are Too Soft for Engagement Rings?
While their allure and energy is undeniable, some coloured gemstones are too delicate for the daily rituals of an engagement ring. These stones rank below 7 on the Mohs Hardness Scale and can be prone to scratching, cracking, or other damage over time.
Here’s what you need to know before choosing a softer gem as your engagement stone:
Citrine
A radiant stone of manifestation, Citrine shines brightest with occasional wear or moments when you want to awaken inspiration. Its lower 6.5 and 7 Mohs ranking means it is more vulnerable to scratches and wear than harder gemstones like Sapphire, Ruby and Emerald, so it's less suitable for the everyday demands of an engagement ring.
Opal
Alighted with fiery opalescence, Opal is cherished for its intuition and insight but its delicate nature means it is vulnerable to water, impact, and everyday wear. With a Mohs Hardness of 5.5–6.5, Opals’ porous, tender structure requires mindful, occasional wear to preserve its radiant glow.
Pearl
An iridescent gem of the sea, Pearl is among the softest gems, with a Mohs Hardness of just 2.5–4.5. They are vulnerable to scratches, dulling, chipping, or even loss over time, so we recommend reserving Pearl for special occasions or heirloom pieces rather than engagement rings.
If you love the tones of these delicate gems, consider stronger alternatives such as Yellow Sapphire, Star Ruby or Parti Tourmaline for your engagement ring.
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Choose a Symbolic Engagement Ring That Endures
Kerry Rocks gemstone engagement rings are consciously crafted and thoughtfully designed to stack meaningfully with matching 9kt gold, Diamond or coloured-stone bands and create a bespoke expression of your love. Explore our Ceremonial Rings Collection to find your perfect stone.
Or visit us in-store at the Paddington for a personal consultation to discover a stone that resonates with your union.
