Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend but a girl can certainly have many best friends. Colored gemstone engagement rings can be just as beautiful and eye-catching as their diamond counterparts. In fact, they have the added benefit of being both sparkly and unexpected.

The truth is, diamonds weren’t always the stone of choice when it comes to engagement rings. Thanks to De Beers’ ingenious marketing, they became the stone most closely associated with love and romance. While the company may claim that a diamond is forever, other stones are just as enduring. Colored gemstone engagement rings are actually perfect for one who’d appreciate something unique and non-traditional from his or her significant other.

Sapphire

The bright blue stone is a head-turning alternative to the usual diamond. It’s famously the stone that Prince Charles slipped on the ring finger of Princess Diana upon their engagement. Now, it is of course the engagement ring that the Duchess of Cambridge wears. What makes the stone fit for a future queen is its durability and hardness, high luster, and bright color. The blue sapphire is also said to symbolize wisdom, faithfulness, and good fortune.

Suggested Read: Everything You Need to Know About Sapphires

Emerald

You’ll be far from green with envy if presented with a deep green emerald engagement ring. In fact, other brides to be may be the ones with the green-eyed monster upon gazing at an emerald on your finger. Many are unaware that emeralds are actually a lot rarer than diamonds and therefore can also be a lot more expensive. The deeper and darker an emerald is in color, the higher the price that it can command. Called the Stone of Successful Love, there might not be a more ideal alternative to the traditional diamond. The stone is also said to embody unity, compassion and unconditional love. One of the most well-known emerald engagement rings is arguably the style icon and former first lady Jackie Kennedy’s from JFK.

Ruby

Completing the big three of precious stones is the ruby. Like the emerald and sapphire, a high-quality ruby can be more much expensive per carat than a diamond. There’ll be no missing a ruby on your ring finger with its bold red hue. What makes the stone extra precious is its rarity. Aside from the fact that it’s a valuable stone, it’s also one that would make for a one-of-a-kind and exceptional engagement ring. The lustrously red stone symbolizes nobility, purity, and passion. It’s no surprise that Victoria Beckham’s much-documented collection of engagement rings includes a big red ruby sparkler.

Opal

Once held in highest regard among royals hundreds of years ago, precious Opal is beautifully renowned for exhibiting iridescence manifested in flashes of nearly every color in the rainbow, more commonly red, green, yellow, and blue. Opal engagement rings exude a certain vintage flair with a look that may very well stand the test of time. Categorized by its base color, Opal is often described and marketed in dark and light hues, including but not limited to: Fire Opal (exhibiting bright orange, yellow, and reddish tones), Blue Opal, and Creamy Opal (usually light gray or off white) variations. Gem-grade Opal is generally polished and sometimes described as ‘solid’ opal.

Pearl

One of the most unique gems in the world is one not borne of the earth at all; rather, Pearls are extracted from certain species of sea mollusks. Held in high regard for their luxurious look, pearl engagement rings have become more fashionable in recent years. And it’s not just more mature women wearing pearls. Pearl jewelry is actually worn by women of all ages. It’s said by wearers of pearl jewelry that pearls should be worn fairly often so that they do not ‘die’ so-to-speak, as there’s a general belief that pearls kept locked away in obscurity lose the luster that makes them so desirable. It’s true that pearls are not as strong and resilient as some other gems, but that’s not to say that they cannot, in fact, be worn daily; as is the case with a woman’s engagement ring.

Aquamarine

The Pisces birthstone is a popular choice for engagement rings, regardless of whether the wearer’s birthday actually falls within the month of March. Regarded for its medium to light-blue hue, aquamarine engagement rings are sure to impress with their beauty, depth, and radiance. Aquamarine stones serve as a stylish, budget-friendly alternative to natural blue diamonds, known for being notoriously exclusive with a price tag to match.

Tanzanite

Of course, there are a number of other impressive stones aside from the sapphire, emerald, and ruby trifecta. Tanzanite is also a remarkable option for a colored gemstone engagement ring. In fact, Tiffany & Co., who named the stone after the country Tanzania, is said to have declared the tanzanite as the most beautiful stone that’s been discovered in the last 2,000 years. Tanzanite is also among the world’s rarest gems and can only be found in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. The gorgeous stone can range in color from light blue to indigo or lilac to deep violet and represents a calming, soothing energy.

If you have any inkling that your significant other is about to go down on one knee, make sure to drop hints that you would love a non-diamond engagement ring to uniquely signify your love, and be sure to remind him to get a quote for BriteCo’s 5-star rated jewelry insurance to protect your engagement ring.