The Best Alternatives to Diamonds for Wedding Bands

Let’s be honest, nothing illustrates the saying ‘dress to impress’ better than an engagement ring paired with a matching wedding band. This jewelry set is a very important and meaningful decoration that speaks a lot about not only a person wearing it but also about the presence of a significant other in their life.

Obviously, an engagement ring gets all the attention before the wedding, but afterwards, it will be worn with a wedding band as a set. So it’s very important to pick a matching band that will nest with the ring and underscore its beauty.

So even if you prefer a more reserved and simple ring style, you may still want both rings to stand out, to dazzle, to impress, not to whisper but to sing about your love and care for each other.

Usually, a diamond is chosen as a central stone for both rings, a star among the known gems, a sparkling pool of light in a polished setting perched proudly on a finger.

But what to do if you don’t want diamonds but want this special look? Or if you have a custom engagement ring with a different stone and want a wedding band to match it perfectly? Pick a stone that belongs to the best alternatives to diamonds for wedding bands, of course.

In this review, we’ll run through the most viable alternative options and hopefully, the sparkle of the stone you choose will match the sparkle of your sweetheart’s eyes on the wedding day.

What to Consider Before Buying a Diamond Alternative

Before you buy a ring with a diamond alternative, consider these points that will help you to make an informed choice.

Durability in daily wear

Diamonds are objectively the toughest and the hardest stones compared to other gems. That’s why they are marketed successfully as eternal stones fit for wedding jewelry. Diamonds work well for daily wear, and they won’t get scratched or damaged because of a casual moderate impact (although they also should be handled with care). So read about the toughness and resilience of a stone you’re eyeing and decide if it is strong enough for your sweetheart’s lifestyle.

Color

Diamonds are colorless and amazingly sparkly, so they work nicely with the majority of personal jewelry wardrobes. Diamonds look good next to gold and silver, colored or colorless stones, plus they are easy to match with any colored stones. So you may want to consider alternatives that are nearly as colorless (think moissanites or white topaz) or at least neutral in color. If colorlessness is not a primary concern, you are free to choose some gorgeous colored stone that will stand out in any jewelry stack.

The style preferences of your sweetheart

Last but not least. Trends, traditions, and recommendations need to be taken into consideration if your sweetheart does not have any preferred stone and it’s a discovery journey. If she wants a particular stone, you don’t have to guess, just get a band with this stone, it’s that simple. It will be the best alternative to diamonds and a sign that you care about what she wants.

However, if she does not have something particular in mind, read on to know what exactly to look for in a perfect substitute and what effect the stone creates when set into a ring.

The Pros & Cons of Diamond Alternatives

Pros

Pricing range. Diamonds are known not only for their durability and special appeal but also for their exceptionally high price, they are among the most expensive gems. When you opt for some other stone for a wedding band, you can get a good quality stone for the price that would buy you a significantly smaller diamond. Or it will be a sparkling wreath of sizable stones accentuating the solitaire on an engagement ring. Anyway, price is an advantage for diamond alternatives.

Uniqueness of the ring

That’s probably the main consideration that stands behind the desire to get a non-diamond wedding band. Even the simplest design attains a new dimension of interest when decorated with a colored gem. Colored stones always attract the eye and make impressive jewelry pieces. The wedding band can be very modest and simple in design, but interesting stones won’t let it go unnoticed.

Additional meaning of stones

When we say ‘colored gems’ we don’t mean the ‘big 4’ like rubies and emeralds alone. The list of available – and very pretty – stones is long, and many of them are still new to the wedding bands playbook. But the point is, these stones are long known for their spiritual or symbolic meaning, and now that they become more of the mainstream in jewelry collections, you can score a double win. You can buy a wedding band that features a unique stone and carries a valuable symbolic meaning, being a birthstone charm or a luck-bringer for the wearer.

Opportunity for color experimentation

The upside of colored gems is that they are, well, colored. Today, diamonds may seem a bit too traditional and limiting, requiring certain styles of clothes and certain combinations of jewelry to match them. It is not true anymore, since the only rule is no rules in fashion. Yet if your loved one still feels a little uneasy or skeptical about the rules and beliefs attached to diamonds, going for a wedding band with a colored gem is a great solution.

Whether a bold pop of color or a subtle delicate hue, the recommended best alternatives to diamonds for wedding bands will always feel fresh and special.

Mixing different colors of jewelry and clothes is a part of modern sensibility. So a wedding band with a colored gem (and probably a matching engagement ring with a wonderful colored centerpiece) will follow a much larger trend that will last long – and will look really fun and effortlessly chic.

Cons

Varying toughness and durability of stones

As chic and fresh as wedding bands with diamond alternatives are, they have their drawbacks. Diamonds are objectively the toughest and the most durable stones fit for daily wear, they don’t lose their color from heat or chemicals and don’t take scratches or chips easily. The toughest colored gems like sapphire, ruby, and alexandrite come very close to diamonds, and other colored gems vary in their degree of durability and hardness. So while some gems are fine for everyday wear, others will require more attention and a more sparing and gentle approach when set into a ring.

‘Not-a-diamond’ factor

A diamond is still viewed as the gem of first choice for wedding jewelry. A ring with some other type of stone may raise unwanted questions or confuse people if a stone is white. So a wearer will have to do a bit of explaining (if it is necessary to clarify the point). However, what ring to wear and what stone to choose is the matter between you and your loved one only. No one can dictate to you what wedding band to buy (except for a jeweler you trust).

The Most Popular Diamond Alternatives to Consider

On the Classic Side

What to choose when for some reason you don’t want a diamond as such but want that diamond-y effect in the ring? Well, something that looks very much like a diamond or close to it!

Moissanite

This perfect pool of sparkles was specifically designed to replace diamonds in jewelry. Yes, moissanite was created in the lab and it has practically the same parameters as diamonds (clarity, sparkling factor, hardness of 9.25 on the Moss scale). So when you put it into a wedding band, the effect will be simply stunning. Whatever design you’ll choose, it will be an icon of a perfect wedding band. Besides, a moissanite will cost significantly less than a diamond of the same size.

The only warning we can give? Be ready to explain that no, it’s not a diamond and no, it does not cost a fortune.

Pricing: depending on size and number of stones, the price for a golden ring will start around $300 and move upwards, but not too steeply.

Topaz

This transparent stone with cool blue tones and clean glassy shine looks as if Mother Nature made it specifically to grace some of the most refined wedding bands. The light blue or medium blue color goes well with the majority of other stones and metals and makes a sublime piece when worn alone. This versatility plus sufficient durability and hardness (8 on the Mohs scale) make it rank high on the list of diamond alternatives.

The beauty of the stone shines through in simpler designs and more complex ornate arrangements. Set it in the ring alone or add a sprinkle of small colorless stones – topaz will create a perfect wedding band garnering compliments. One more big plus? The stone is rather affordable.

Pricing: prices are very pleasant for this cool gem as you can buy a decent stone in a golden ring starting at $200.

Aquamarine

The color of this stone is so interesting and captivating that its name became linked to the sea waves. The serene blue color of the stone has this particular undertone that the sea displays on the quietest and most luxurious sunny days when the sunlight reaches deep into the cold blue of the waves and makes them almost transparent. The resulting blue tone is warm and cold at the same time, the effect so unique that you won’t find it in any other blue stone.

This precious stone works perfectly with gold and silver, looks modern but is timeless in terms of style, and a set of modestly-sized top-class stones in a slim golden band won’t be that expensive. It is sufficiently tough for daily wear (7.5 - 8 on the Mohs scale), so if you are just beginning your search for the best alternatives to diamonds for wedding bands, first look at aquamarine.

Pricing: a small stone in a golden ring will cost around $200, and a fancier band with aquamarines will cost around $300-$400.

Vintage and Heirloom

Minimalist and contemporary designs are not everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s pretty normal. If you seek a wedding band more ornate, with a vintage or even antique feel, start with opal and moonstone as centerpieces.

Opal

Opal has its pros and cons as a diamond alternative in wedding bands, but so do practically all other gems. Let’s start with the stone's one-of-a-kind appearance. Opal possesses a unique effect known as opalescence (the stone gave its name to this effect, for that matter) – the interplay of colorful sparkles inside a milky-white stone. The stone looks almost alive with this play of lights that never stops, no matter whether it's daylight or moonlight, opal is sparkling and glistening like a small kaleidoscope. Due to its opulence and play of sparkles even in the dim light, opal was adored and widely used in the 19th century. The jewelry of the Art Deco period with opals is a separate wonderful chapter of jewelry art. So opal rings will have this special heirloom appeal but will also look great in their own right.

The downside is that the stone is rather brittle (5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale), but if you choose a more solid and secure setting, everything will be okay.

Pricing: a pretty band with noticeable stones will start at $300 or so.

Always On-trend

If you cannot decide yet and look for something that is not as classic as diamonds but still has this more traditional feel, look for the gems of the big 4. They are universal but still stand out in a ring and make a fashion statement.

Ruby and Sapphire

These stones are very hard and scratch-resistant (9 on the Mohs scale) because they both are corundum (a type of mineral that is durable and hard, think sapphire glass in expensive watches, for example). Sapphire is typically imagined as deep blue and ruby as deep rich red, but their color range is much wider. Sapphire can be almost colorless, yellow, champagne, green, pink, and even black. Rubies can range in shades from very light delicate pink to deep dark red.

These stones have long been on the go-to list for royals and celebrities when it comes to important jewelry pieces. Just look at the Imperial State Crown of the UK featuring some very impressive sapphire and ruby stones, and you’ll understand why we recommend them as some of the best alternatives to diamonds for wedding bands.

With their clean glassy sparkle and ability to pass the light through without losing richness and depth of color, rubies, and sapphires are perfect for modern, minimalist, and ornate vintag-y pieces alike. If you opt for a simpler style, choose a sapphire or ruby of reasonable size, add a halo of colorless stones or some colorless accents, and the ring will be truly sublime. It will fit into any jewelry style and wardrobe and still feel modern and cool.

Pricing: Ruby and sapphire belong to the top tier of gems, so the simplest designs will cost around $200, and the price of stones worthy of an astonishing wedding band will begin at $400-$500.

Emerald

Emerald has its own mythology and fan base as one of the oldest known and celebrated gems. Yet it’s not its glorious history alone that makes it one of the most coveted stones for high jewelry. The special green hue of emerald gave its name to a color, and no other stone can imitate it. This deep vibrant green plus the natural pattern inside the stone called ‘garden’ make it a number one choice when it comes to high-octane glamor jewelry pieces, wedding bands included.

The big advantage of emerald is that it works well with silver and gold and its color is not compromised by neighboring tones of metal. So no matter what metal you pick, the emerald will dazzle the observers.

The emerald is rather sturdy for daily wear (7.5 – 8 on the Mohs scale) but it can get chipped. To avoid this problem, choose a more secure and robust setting. It’s also recommended to take the ring off during exercising or active handiwork.

Pricing: emerald ranks high among all gems, so the price for a very modest band starts at $250, and several emeralds on a band will have a heftier price.

Unique and Special

A stone should not necessarily emit the megawatt sparkle to be suitable for a wedding band. Unique stones and gems with rare coloring are becoming more popular among brides-to-be and we are glad to help this trend gain traction.

Amethyst

Amethyst is one more stone that lent its name to a color and for a reason. The color of purple lilac in full bloom or the color of the spring twilight – that’s how the tint of the stone is described, and it’s worth getting it for the ring for this effect alone. Yet amethyst can range in shades from light pink to deep rich purple closer to black, like the cloudy sky. So you can choose the exact degree of saturation and shade that match your idea of a perfect wedding band centerpiece.

If these reasons are not enough, consider that amethyst is widely believed to bring prophetic dreams and help maintain peace of mind. Not many stones can boast of such a special reputation.

The stone can grace a ring when set solo, arranged as a sequence of small amethysts, or paired with small colorless accents, set in silver or gold. Gold, especially rose gold, will make the color deeper and richer, giving the ring almost the Victorian vibe. Silver or white gold will make the stone look funkier and fresher, great for stacking and wearing with the smart casual wardrobe.

The stone is a perfect centerpiece practically all around, plus it’s strong enough (7 on the Mohs scale). Yet it does not like high heat or direct sunlight, so store it in a closed dark box when not worn.

Pricing: this beautiful precious stone is surprisingly affordable, so a minimalist band will cost you around $200 (set in a ring already).

Moss agate

Although not the hardest of stones, - it rates only 6.5 – 7 on the Mohs scale - moss agate is astonishing even without the straightforward flashiness. All agates are known for their unique patterning, but moss agate stands apart even in this particolored mineral family. Moss agate got its name because the green-gray pattern on its surface resembles swirls and twists of grass, rounded spots of green moss, and larger outlines of trees or lakes. The miniature landscape could have been created by a skilled artist, but the real artist is Nature, and no two patterns are ever alike. Even if a stone is cut in two halves to make a pair of earrings, the pattern won’t be completely identical.

So if you choose a wedding band with moss agate at its center, no one will own the ring with the same stone. Set in rose gold, moss agate will look more glamorous, while in silver or white gold, the stone will look mystique and dreamy. The polished cabochon can get scratched, so the ring should be worn with care.

Pricing: a dainty sleek wedding band made of gold will cost $150 and upwards.

Turquoise

Turquoise seems to be everywhere when boho and spiritual jewelry is meant, but its potential for haute couture jewelry has been underexplored until recently. You have a chance to get a unique wedding band while the trend is only getting traction and turquoise wedding bands and engagement rings are not featured in every other collection.

The stone has this special blue color with greenish tint but the structure of stone is opaque. Turquoise is usually not cut into facets but gently polished into cabochons. The stone thus gets a delicate subtle sheen that won’t compete with the stone in a neighboring engagement ring. The band with turquoise looks grounded and solid and makes an excellent companion to more ethereal and sparkly engagement ring centerpieces like moissanite or topaz.

On the spiritual side, turquoise is one of the most cherished stones, known as far back as in Ancient Egypt. This precious stone is celebrated around the world as a source of physical and emotional well-being, a lucky charm, a connector to the spiritual world and whatnot. Once it was considered as precious as rubies and sapphires because it was - and is - rather rare.

On the downside, the stone is not that tough, only 5-6 on the Mohs scale, so the band needs to be worn with care.

Pricing: a slim and pretty wedding band with turquoise will cost around $300.

YourAsteria Wedding Bands

As you see, the list of the best alternatives to diamonds for wedding bands is long, and you are free to pick and choose colored or colorless stones until you are completely happy with the design.

Yet a wedding band is a very special piece of jewelry, and if you and your loved one feel unsure and need professional assistance along the way, look no further than YourAsteria. We have long been honing our skills as designers and craftspeople, so when it comes to creating or designing wedding jewelry we know what we are doing – and we are willing to use our expertise for your benefit.

You can simply browse our fresh collections and pick one of our carefully handcrafted dainty and stylish rings with a pretty stone. If you have some ideas, you can reach out to our team and they will point you to the perfect band that matches your specific demands.

Ultimately, if you still feel that no ring matches your vision, we are here to craft this special wedding band with diamond alternatives that will embody your vision 100%. You and your loved one deserve to have what you want, and we never stop learning and expanding our collections to be able to help you with it.

Summary

We’ve just nudged you towards the exciting world of wedding bands with diamond alternatives but the real discovery will begin when you look at the abundance of options together with your loved one (or in secret). It’s all up to you because in a wedding band, the commitment and the decision to marry matter most. The rest is a matter of taste.

Diamonds are not a must anymore, so you can play and experiment, decide on something more playful, brightly colored, or opulently detailed and set with multiple stones. Sparkly or subtly shining from within, nothing is off-limits as long as it matches your idea of perfection.

Browse through the new collections featuring some unique and timeless gems, and get ready to impress your loved one with a band as unique and wonderful as your mutual affection and devotion.