What gemstones can be used in custom engagement rings?

Traditional Gemstones for Engagement Rings

While exploring custom jewelry design options, many couples still prefer traditional choices with proven durability.

Diamonds

Diamonds remain the most popular choice for engagement rings, and for good reason. Scoring a perfect 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, diamond jewelry is extremely resistant to scratching and everyday wear. Available in various cuts, colors, and clarity grades, diamond rings offer timeless elegance that suits any style preference. At Karlise Jewelers, we source ethically mined and lab-grown diamonds for our diamond engagement rings.

Sapphires

With a hardness of 9, sapphires are the second most durable gemstone choice for engagement rings. While most people associate sapphires with deep blue hues, they actually come in nearly every color except red (red sapphires are classified as rubies). Royal blue sapphires gained popularity after Princess Diana (and later Kate Middleton) chose a blue sapphire engagement ring. Our custom jewelry experts can help you select the perfect sapphire for your engagement ring.

Rubies

Rubies, the red variety of corundum (the same mineral family as sapphires), also rate 9 on the Mohs scale. Their rich, passionate red color symbolizes love and commitment, making them a meaningful choice for wedding rings for women. High-quality rubies can be more valuable than diamonds of similar size, especially those with the coveted “pigeon blood” red color. Our gemstone jewelry selection includes stunning rubies perfect for creating unforgettable rings.

Colorful Gemstones for Unique Engagement Rings

For couples seeking something different from traditional options, colorful gemstones offer vibrant alternatives for custom engagement rings in Burlington, VT.

Emeralds

With their lush green color, emeralds bring a distinctive look to handmade jewelry. Part of the beryl family with a hardness of 7.5-8, emeralds are durable but require more careful handling than diamonds or sapphires. Most emeralds contain natural inclusions (called “jardin” or garden), which are considered part of the stone’s character. Our custom jewelry design process can incorporate emeralds into stunning, unique settings.

Morganite

This blush-pink to peach-colored beryl has skyrocketed in popularity for engagement rings in Burlington. With a hardness of 7.5-8, morganite offers good durability for daily wear. Its soft, feminine color complements all skin tones and pairs beautifully with rose gold jewelry. Morganite typically offers excellent clarity and can be found in larger carat sizes at more affordable prices than diamonds.

Aquamarine

Another member of the beryl family, aquamarine’s serene blue-green color evokes the sea. With the same 7.5-8 hardness as its cousins emerald and morganite, it offers good durability for wedding rings. Aquamarines typically have excellent clarity with fewer inclusions than emeralds, and their color can range from pale sky blue to deeper blue-green. Our jewelry redesign services can incorporate family aquamarines into new custom designs.

Durability Factors to Consider

When selecting gemstones for engagement rings in South Burlington, VT, durability should be a primary consideration.

Mohs Hardness Scale

The Mohs scale ranks minerals from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest). For engagement rings worn daily, gemstones with a hardness of at least 7 are recommended. At Karlise Jewelers, we advise clients on the durability of different gemstones for custom engagement rings in South Burlington.

Toughness vs. Hardness

While hardness measures scratch resistance, toughness refers to a gemstone’s resistance to breaking or chipping. Some gems, like emeralds, are hard but not particularly tough due to internal inclusions. Others, like jade, have exceptional toughness despite moderate hardness. Our jewelry experts in Burlington can help you understand these important distinctions.

Protective Settings

For softer gemstones, protective settings like bezels (which completely surround the stone’s perimeter) or semi-bezels provide extra security. Halo settings, where smaller diamonds surround the center stone, can also help shield more delicate gems. Our custom jewelry designers in South Burlington excel at creating protective yet beautiful settings.

Rare and Exotic Gemstone Options

For truly distinctive custom engagement rings, consider these rare and extraordinary options.

Alexandrite

Often described as “emerald by day, ruby by night,” alexandrite displays remarkable color-changing properties, shifting from bluish-green in daylight to purplish-red under incandescent light. With a hardness of 8.5, it’s an excellent choice for engagement rings in Burlington. Natural alexandrite is extremely rare and expensive, though lab-created alternatives offer similar beauty at more accessible price points.

Padparadscha Sapphire

Among the rarest sapphires, padparadscha exhibits a unique pinkish-orange or salmon color reminiscent of a lotus flower. With the same excellent hardness (9) as other sapphires, these exceptional gems make unforgettable centers for custom engagement rings in South Burlington. Their scarcity makes them highly valued by collectors and couples seeking something truly special.

Paraiba Tourmaline

Discovered in Brazil in the 1980s, these electric blue-green tourmalines get their neon-like glow from copper content. With a hardness of 7-7.5, they’re suitable for wedding rings for women who appreciate their daily wear. These rare gems command premium prices, but their unmatched vivid color makes them worth considering for handmade jewelry that stands apart.

Budget-Friendly Gemstone Alternatives

Beautiful custom engagement rings don’t have to break the bank.

Moissanite

With a hardness of 9.25, moissanite is second only to diamond in durability. This lab-created gem offers exceptional brilliance—often with more fire than diamonds—at a fraction of the cost. Moissanite is colorless or near-colorless, making it a practical alternative for traditional diamond engagement rings. Our jewelers in Burlington can help you select the perfect moissanite for your design.

White Sapphire

Colorless sapphires provide another diamond alternative with excellent durability (9 on the Mohs scale). While they don’t have quite the same sparkle as diamonds, their subtle brilliance appeals to those seeking an understated look. White sapphires are natural gems that cost significantly less than diamonds of comparable size, making them excellent choices for engagement ring redesign projects.

Blue Topaz

With a hardness of 8, blue topaz offers good durability at an affordable price point. Available in sky blue, Swiss blue, and London blue varieties, these gems provide vibrant color options for custom jewelry in Burlington. Blue topaz pairs beautifully with both white and yellow gold jewelry, making it a versatile choice for custom designs.

Birthstone Engagement Ring Options

Incorporating birthstones adds personal significance to custom engagement rings in Burlington.

January – Garnet

Most commonly found in deep red, garnets also come in green, orange, and rare blue varieties. With a hardness of 6.5-7.5 (depending on the type), garnets make reasonably durable center stones for engagement rings in South Burlington. The rare green tsavorite and demantoid garnets are particularly valuable and striking.

April – Diamond

As the traditional engagement stone, April’s birthstone needs no introduction. Diamonds in Burlington are available in various quality grades to suit different budgets. Beyond the classic colorless stones, fancy colored diamonds in yellow, pink, blue, and other hues offer distinctive options for