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Many couples are opting for a non-traditional engagement rings but one of the main reasons diamonds became the ultimate choice for engagement rings was that diamonds last. With that in mind there are alternative stones that have pretty good mineral hardness ratings. (AKA the Mohs scale from 1-10.) Imperfect diamonds rank the highest. They are of course diamonds that are not as clear or perfectly shaped as the traditional ones but they are less pricy and some have their own charm because they are unique!
Here are the best and worst:
MOISSANITE- Looks spot on a diamond but produce in a laboratory and made of a rare but naturally occurring compound called carborundum. So very diamond like except while a real diamond has a Mohs rating of 10 these have a rating of 9.5. Not bad at all.
SAPPHIRES- These are actually a classic alternative but they are not always cobalt blue. Sapphires can also be “Petal Pink”. They have a Mohs rating of 9.
RUBIES- Rounding out our list of good long wearing choices is the Victorian inspired choice of a ruby. It comes with a Mohs rating of 9.
(Margie’s Tip: If I had to do it all over again I would ask the jeweler to show me where the “classic rings” were. These are the rings that after many years were sold back to the jeweler. You often find incredible craftsmanship and a bargain price! )
On the not so good list we have some lovely stones but they are not known for their lasting abilities.
EMERALD-Regal and gorgeous unfortunately these green stones are susceptible to scratches and discoloration. They are recommend for earrings! The have a Mohs rating of 7.5
MORGANITE-A really cote peachy stone they shouldn’t be worn on a regular basis as they damage relatively easily. They have a Mohs rating of 7.5
AMETHYSTS-Who doesn’t love this pretty purple stone. Unfortunately it is known to CHIP or break because of heat or chemicals. Perhaps as a necklace but never as an engagement ring. They have a Mohs rating of 7.
OPALS-Really just on this blog to give you an ideal of what the Mohs scale is all about. This is one gem we’ve been told since childhood that it was not a something to wear everywhere as it can be damaged by too much heat from the sun! It has a Mohs rating of 5.5.