To Diamond Or Not To Diamond?
Alternative Gemstone Rings
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, or so the saying goes. But are diamonds ‘worth it’?
Sparkling, elegant and timeless – for Matthew Ely, the answer is a resounding ‘yes’. Diamonds can take millions of years to grow. This fact alone, combined with their remarkable durability, has cemented the diamond ring as a ‘symbol of eternal love’, with diamond engagement rings and diamond wedding bands being the classic ‘go-to’ for decades.
Of course, not every ‘girl’ is Marilyn Monroe. In recent years, we have seen an increasing trend for alternative non-diamond rings – whether gemstone engagement rings or statement cocktail rings with a bright splash of colour.
“The four gemstone rings that have certainly increased in popularity are sapphire, emerald, ruby and aquamarine,” says Matthew Ely.
Statement Cocktail Rings
Whether it’s a special occasion dress ring, an anniversary present, or a statement piece for everyday wear, diamond (or alternate gemstone) rings are by no means limited to weddings and engagements. “Dress rings often feature large, statement diamonds – with fancy coloured yellow diamonds being a popular trend in 2021,” says Matthew.
As for non-diamond rings, “aquamarine cocktail rings are our next most popular gemstone, featuring stones that are a really beautiful, saturated blue, as opposed to a more washed-out blue or grey.”
“From the same Beryl family as aquamarine, light pink morganite is another great performer in cocktail or dress rings. I’ve got clients who want the same ring in the two “watercolours” – one in aquamarine and one in morganite.”
Finally, Matthew highlights emerald as a stone that has been trending for a couple of years – “but of course, like every piece, I’d craft them in a style that’s timeless and will be a ‘forever’ piece”.
