Choosing a coloured gemstone engagement ring
A coloured gemstone in place of a diamond has a long engagement ring history of its own - sapphire engagement rings in particular have centuries of royal and aristocratic association, while ruby engagement rings and emerald engagement rings appear steadily through the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco periods. Each gemstone engagement ring carries different practical considerations: sapphire and ruby are hard enough for daily wear, emerald is more easily chipped and benefits from a protective setting, and antique gemstone engagement rings are more likely than their modern counterparts to be untreated.
Art Deco gemstone engagement rings tend to set the coloured stone within a geometric diamond surround, using colour contrast rather than a single dominant stone, while Victorian and Edwardian gemstone engagement rings more often centre the coloured stone alone or with modest diamond accents.
Styles in our gemstone engagement ring collection
Our gemstone engagement rings collection spans sapphire engagement rings, ruby engagement rings, emerald engagement rings and other coloured gemstone engagement rings across the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco periods. Antique gemstone engagement rings in our collection range from restrained single stone designs to bold Art Deco pieces with striking colour contrast.
Sapphire often represents wisdom and loyalty, while ruby symbolises passion and vitality - meanings that many couples take into account when choosing a gemstone engagement ring rather than a traditional diamond solitaire. In the UK, gemstone engagement rings are growing steadily in popularity as couples look for something that reflects their personality and story.
Buying a gemstone engagement ring: what to look for
Every stone in our gemstone engagement rings collection is identified and described honestly, including any known treatment history, and we can talk you through which stones suit an active lifestyle versus occasional wear. Ruby and sapphire generally cope well with daily wear, while emerald engagement rings benefit from a more protective, part-bezel setting.
If you are choosing a gemstone engagement ring based on meaning rather than appearance alone, ask us about the traditional associations of sapphire, ruby and emerald - each carries a different symbolism that has shaped its popularity for engagements through history.
Visit us or browse online
Our gemstone engagement rings collection changes regularly as new pieces come in. Contact us directly if you are searching for a specific gemstone or period, or visit our shop at 29 High Street, Battle, East Sussex, open Monday to Saturday, 10:15 to 17:00.
