For the Bride Who Doesn’t Want Diamonds
Diamonds As a Tradition
Vision a beautiful engagement ring, or a stunning bridal set. Did your vision sparkle with diamonds? If so, you can thank the marvel of modern marketing ads. Nothing says commitment, eternity, and devotion like a diamond. Actually, this hasn’t always been the case. Most of the world’s uses for diamonds have been industrial. Because it is one of the hardest naturally occurring substances on Earth, it has been used to grind, cut, and polish most other hard surfaces. It wasn’t until the late 19th century that a major boom in the diamond industry caused a stir and a popular marketing campaign for women to have a cut diamond set as an engagement ring or wedding band. While there were certainly diamond wedding bands before this time, even dating back to the ancient Greeks, the popular idea that a diamond is eternal and is synonymous with a traditional bride, is a new one. If your idea of the perfect engagement ring or bridal set doesn’t include diamonds, you are not alone. You are part of a growing trend and this article is for you.
The Trend Away From Diamonds
There are many reasons why a bride may not want a diamond engagement ring or bridal set. First and foremost, it is a personal preference. Many brides want to express their individuality and want to have a ring that stands out from others. These brides want a piece of jewelry that makes a statement and isn’t one of the many choices readily available in jewelry stores and online. Another reason brides are buying alternative precious gems is the growing popularity of the practice among the trend-setting elite. Royal families and movie stars alike are setting this fashion. For example, there was a surge in sapphire purchases when the now Duchess Catherine of Cambridge’s engagement ring was revealed. Still another reason brides are moving away from the traditional diamond ring is a matter of social awareness and the stigma associated with diamond mining. Because of the recent news involving conflict diamonds, many brides elect to choose a different precious stone with a less ominous history to symbolize the purity and wholesomeness of their new journey in marriage. Whatever the reasons may be, it is evident that there is a shift in purchasing engagement and wedding bands towards settings with other popular precious stones such as rubies, emeralds, and sapphires.
Alternative Precious Stones
If you are still considering a precious stone for your setting, there are several varieties of rubies, emeralds, and sapphires available. There are also many other semi-precious gems that would certainly make a stunning engagement ring or wedding band. Often, brides will pick a combination of these that compliment each other and design a custom bridal set. Some of the most sought after precious gems are rubies, especially the Pigeon Blood rubies from Burma, that get their name from the deepness of the natural red color. A less expensive alternative to this rare ruby is the Mong Hsu ruby, which has a similar depth in color, but has been altered through a certified heat process that gives it this appearance. Other choices include the wide range of colors available for sapphires. While most people associate sapphires with a blue gem, it is possible, though extremely rare, to get them in pink as well, for example. Finally, the choice of emeralds is more limited, as emeralds only come in the well known green hue. If you are selecting an emerald for your setting, it is always more important to consider the quality of color even before the clarity of this gem. Any one of these precious gems, alone or accented with semi-precious stones, would make a gorgeous and special piece that you can admire for years to come.