Wow, so we've all seen beautiful diamonds on engagement rings and sparkly wedding bands.....but how many of us can say that we see engagement rings with colored stones? Shockingly very few of us if any at all. Yes, diamonds are forever (thanks Debeers) and they are a girl's best friend....without a doubt. But more and more colored stones are entering our markets that display beautiful color at incredibly affordable prices.Just recently I met a woman who had on a gorgeous wedding band with alternating brilliant round diamonds and sapphires and I have to say, I was captivated.....it reminded me of the my younger days, growing up in Kenya where all you saw was the beautiful dark blue Indian Ocean for miles and miles....absolutely breath-taking.
So...on to colored stones.....specifically, the big 3...emeralds, rubies and sapphires. Because women wear their wedding bands and/or their engagement rings daily, the issue of durability comes up - how durable are diamonds versus the big 3? Its a known fact that diamonds are the hardest minerals out there....only breakable or able to be scratched by another diamond. Well, the next hardest mineral is corundum (rubies and sapphires) followed by emeralds. Having said this, it makes perfect sense to use these colored gems in everyday pieces such as engagement rings and wedding bands....not to mention, unique, colorful and cost-efficient.
Next time you go to a neighborhood jewelry store, be sure to check out some tantalizing emeralds, some luscious rubies or some velvety sapphires....or better yet, check them all out...maybe it will inspire you to purchase one of these delectable colored gems!
And for all you men who are currently in the market for an engagement ring or approaching the monumental occasion, think about being a little whimsical and daring....get a stunning ring with a colored gem....leave a lasting impression that she'll never take her eyes off of :)
Emerald - green in color
Ruby - red in color
Sapphire - blue in color
