What Are Gemstones?
Gemstones are simply minerals or rocks that are in high demand for their beauty, durability or rarity. Most hard gemstones are used to create all kinds of jewelry. But if a gemstone is too soft, they typically can not be used in jewelry because they will crumble or break while being cut. But there are exceptions to this with the use of stabilization. Stabilization simply means that the gemstone is harder through a process where the stone is made harder with another substance such as resin.
Are Diamonds Gemstones?
The answer is yes, diamonds are gemstones. But when people are typically talking about gemstones, they are typically not referring to diamonds. The reason being is that gemstones have become so popular over the years that they now almost have their own category.
So in the rest of this blog, when we refer to gemstones, we will be talking about all gems excluding diamonds.
Most Commonly Used Gemstones In Engagement Rings
After defining what gemstones are generally, we need to discuss what type of gemstones are typically used in gemstone engagement rings. As a whole, most gemstones are not used in engagement rings nearly as often as diamonds. It is a well-known fact that diamonds are by far the most popular and classic stone for engagement rings.
If, however, you decide to break the mold and choose another gemstone, here is a list of some of the most commonly used gemstones in engagement rings.
- Sapphire
- Emerald
- Peridot
- Morganite
- Ruby
- Garnet
- Topaz
- Opal
- Turquoise
- Moonstone
- Lapis Lazuli
- Rose Quartz
- Onyx
- Amethyst
Gemstone Engagement Rings, Tacky or Not?
After discussing gemstones in general and the gemstones most commonly used in engagement rings, we need to get the answer we were looking for. Are gemstone engagement rings tacky? Unlike what it appears to be, it is not so simple. Here is why: Whether a gemstone ring is tacky or not depends not just on one factor, but on several.
The reason for this is that not all gemstones look the same, and neither do the stylings of the ring settings. Depending on the style and gem you choose, you could have a timeless engagement ring or a ring that is simply tacky.
What Makes A Gemstone Engagement Ring Tacky?
As discussed in the last section, there are so many different things that can make an engagement ring tacky, with that being said we will go over the main factors that can make a ring tacky.
Type of Gem
The first of the factors that can make a ring tacky is the type of gemstone that you choose. With that being said, if you choose a diamond, your ring will never be seen as tacky. But, if you choose something a little more unconventional, especially if it is very colorful, they might find it to be tacky.
Size
Now that we know the type of gems determines whether your ring is tacky or not, we need to think about the ring’s size. Even though many people think that bigger is better, that is not the case with gemstone engagement rings.
The reason being is that bigger rings can sometimes come off as tacky especially if your ring has a trendy design and a stone that is way too large for the wearer’s hand.
Style
Another big factor of whether or not your gemstone ring will be tacky is the style of the ring. The reason being is that trends come and go. This is no different when it comes to ring styles.
If you choose a ring style that is trendy at the moment, most likely it will not hold up over time. So the best thing to do is to pick a style of engagement ring that is a classic and will look stunning for the rest of your life.
The best way to find a style that will not look tacky is to talk to a local jewelry store and ask them what cuts, materials and gems have been the most popular over the years. This will give you a good idea of what styles come and go, but also which styles last forever.
Are Gemstone Engagement Rings Popular?
If diamonds are considered as part of the group, gemstone rings have always been popular. Many people categorize diamonds within their own category merely because they have dominated the market for so long.
Despite this, gemstones have never been more popular without diamonds. There is an increase in people who want to make their engagement rings more unique, especially millennials. These millennials have opted for more colorful gems such as; rubies, emeralds, or sapphires.
Should You Purchase A Gemstone Engagement Ring?
If you are waiting for us to make the decision for you, let us tell you now, it’s not going to happen. This decision is solely based on what your personal preferences are. If a sapphire ring looks more beautiful than a diamond ring to you then you should purchase that ring. Don’t worry about what other people think and purchase the ring that YOU want to wear for the rest of your life.
Where To Purchase Gemstone Rings?
If you are interested in buying a gemstone ring, you might want to know where you should purchase it from. In our opinion, the best way to find the lowest price on your ring is to shop around to different websites such as bluenile.com and check with local jewelry stores.
Jewelry shops also tend to not carry an extensive selection of gemstone rings, especially when looking for unusual gems. Because of this, you might want to look for a jewelry store that specializes in gemstones and can help you source the right gemstones in order to craft the perfect ring.
