Choosing the best gemstone for an engagement ring is one of the most personal and meaningful decisions in the custom jewellery process. At Simon Wright Jewellery, we specialise in bespoke engagement rings crafted in our London studio, designed to reflect your unique story and style.

But with so many stunning gemstones available, how do you know what is the best gemstone for an engagement ring? From vivid classics like sapphires and emeralds to timeless options like diamonds, the answer depends on your priorities, whether that’s style, durability, sentiment, or individuality.

Let’s explore the best stones for engagement rings we offer at Simon Wright Jewellery, highlighting their key qualities, colour options, and the best engagement ring cuts, settings, and metals to complement them.

What Gemstones Are Good for Engagement Rings?

Sapphire Engagement Rings: Colourful & Durable

Sapphires are the second hardest gemstone after diamonds, scoring 9 on the Mohs scale. While deep blue sapphires are the most well-known, they also come in pink, yellow, green, teal, and even white.

Features & Benefits:

Highly durable, suitable for everyday wear
Available in a wide range of colour options
Holds colour exceptionally well over time
Non-blue sapphires are more unusual and often spark conversation

Best Pairings:

Works beautifully with platinum, white gold, and yellow gold
Oval, cushion, or emerald cuts look especially elegant

For couples wanting coloured gemstone engagement rings that are vibrant and long-lasting, sapphires are a top choice.

Diamond Engagement Rings: Timeless Elegance

Diamond engagement rings remain the most iconic and enduring choice. Known for their brilliance and strength, diamonds rank 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them ideal for daily wear.

Features & Benefits:

Available in both natural and synthetic (lab-grown) varieties
Exceptional durability and sparkle
Complements every metal, especially platinum

Best Cuts & Settings:

Brilliant round, oval, cushion, or princess cuts
Solitaire or halo settings in claw or bezel styles

If you want a truly classic yet customisable look, diamond bespoke engagement rings are a sought-after option.

Emerald Engagement Rings: Rich and Unique

Emeralds are loved for their lush green tones and historical charm. Though softer than diamonds and sapphires (around 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale), they offer unique character through their natural inclusions.

Features & Benefits:

Bold, vivid green hue that stands out
Inclusions give each stone its own identity
Works beautifully as part of a vintage-style ring

Design & Pairing Ideas:

Emerald cuts enhance the depth of the stone
Looks luxurious in yellow gold or platinum
Pairs beautifully with diamonds for an elegant contrast

If you're drawn to vintage elegance and individuality, emerald bespoke engagement rings are an excellent choice.

Ruby Engagement Rings: Bold and Romantic

Rubies, with their bold, deep red hues, are another stunning choice for a coloured gemstone engagement ring that stands out. Ranking 9 on the Mohs scale, rubies are both striking and durable.

Why Choose Rubies?

Intense colour associated with love and vitality
Natural hardness suited for lifetime wear
Excellent choice for a distinctive yet timeless ring

Best With:

Yellow gold or rose gold for warmth
Pair with diamonds to create a striking contrast

Ruby engagement rings are ideal for those who want a passionate alternative to more conventional stones.

Aquamarine Engagement Rings: Soft Blue Beauty

Aquamarine, the icy blue variety of beryl, is perfect for those who want a soft, serene alternative to diamonds. With a Mohs hardness of 7.5 to 8, it’s suitable for regular wear with proper care.

Features & Benefits:

Pale blue tone evokes calm and clarity
Affordable yet elegant
Pairs well with diamonds for added sparkle

Setting & Cut Suggestions:

Looks great in emerald or step cuts
Often paired with platinum
Ideal for vintage or Art Deco-inspired styles

Aquamarine engagement rings suit anyone looking for an understated yet beautiful gemstone.

Other Unique Gemstones for Bespoke Engagement Rings

For those seeking something truly personal, there’s a world of unique coloured gemstone engagement rings to explore. Each of these stones brings a unique colour and texture to a ring, giving it character, distinction, and personal meaning.

Tourmaline Engagement Rings: Versatile and vibrant, available in shades from electric pink to deep green.

Beryl Engagement Rings: Apart from aquamarine and emerald, other beryls like morganite offer a romantic blush tone.

Tsavorite Engagement Ring: A vivid green garnet alternative that’s more durable than you might expect.

Opal Engagement Ring: Known for its captivating play-of-colour. Best for occasional wear or protected settings due to its softness.

Spinel Engagement Ring: Often mistaken for ruby or sapphire, spinel comes in striking reds, purples, and greys. It's durable, underappreciated, and ideal for a bold yet refined alternative.

If you're wondering what gemstones are good for engagement rings and crave something outside the box, these gems offer distinctive beauty and story-driven design opportunities.

How to Choose a Stone for Your Engagement Ring

Deciding what is the best gemstone for an engagement ring isn’t just about colour or tradition - it’s about how the stone fits into your lifestyle, aesthetic, and daily habits. Understanding what gemstones are good for engagement rings starts with asking the right questions.

1. Durability for Everyday Wear

Some stones are harder and more resistant to wear than others. If you’re planning to wear your ring every day, durability matters.

Diamond engagement rings are the most durable, perfect for an active lifestyle.
Sapphire engagement rings and ruby engagement rings also rank high on the Mohs scale (9), making them a smart long-term investment.
Softer options like opal engagement rings or beryl engagement rings (including aquamarine) are best worn with care or set in protective styles.

2. Maintenance and Longevity

Different stones have different care needs.

Diamonds and sapphires require minimal upkeep.
Emeralds, with their natural inclusions, benefit from less exposure to impact.
Coloured gemstones should be stored separately to prevent harder stones from scratching or damaging softer ones.

3. Colour and Visual Impact

If you’re wondering what stone is best for engagement ring designs with standout colour, go for saturated tones and cuts that highlight the gem’s best features.

Emerald engagement rings and tsavorite engagement rings pop beautifully in yellow gold or platinum.
Aquamarine engagement rings offer a clean, pastel tone that shines particularly well in step or emerald cuts.
Tourmaline engagement rings come in vivid shades from pink to green - perfect if you’re after a coloured gemstone engagement ring with a twist.

4. Lifestyle Fit and Ring Setting

For an active lifestyle or hands-on job, choose a gemstone and setting that offers extra security.

Bezel or flush settings help protect softer stones.
Claw or halo settings can make harder stones like diamonds and sapphires stand out with extra brilliance.
If you’re exploring bespoke engagement rings, your lifestyle and design preferences should guide the material and structure.

5. Personal Style and Uniqueness

Not everyone wants a traditional look. If you're asking what are the best stones for engagement rings that reflect personal taste, look beyond the usual.

Aquamarine engagement rings or beryl engagement rings (like morganite) suit those looking for cooler or warmer palettes without going bold.
For something rare and distinctive, tsavorite engagement rings and tourmaline engagement rings bring colour without compromising on quality.

For more insight into how to match your gemstone to your style, personality, or even skin tone, read our guide: How to Find the Best Gemstone for Your Engagement Ring

What Is the Best Stone for an Engagement Ring?

Ultimately, what is the best gemstone for an engagement ring comes down to your personal values. Do you want something classic and durable, like a sapphire or diamond? Or something meaningful and bold like a ruby or emerald? Maybe you’re drawn to the uniqueness of a tsavorite or the understated brilliance of spinel.

At Simon Wright Jewellery, we specialise in bespoke engagement rings London clients treasure for a lifetime. From traditional to alternative, we help you choose what stones are best for engagement rings based on your story, aesthetic, and lifestyle.

Whether you're in the market for sapphire engagement rings, emerald engagement rings, diamond engagement rings, or something more unique like a beryl engagement ring, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Ready to design your perfect ring? Explore our full range of gemstone engagement rings or book a consultation to create something truly special.

What is the Best Gemstone for an Engagement Ring?

What Gemstones Are Good for Engagement Rings?

Sapphire Engagement Rings: Colourful & Durable

Diamond Engagement Rings: Timeless Elegance