Best Diamond Substitutes

There are many reasons you may prefer an alternative to a diamond engagement ring. From the ethical to the aesthetic, we understand them all. At Pompeii3, we’re here to guide you on your engagement ring shopping journey to ensure you find a style you love with a stone you adore. If you’re looking for diamond alternatives, check out our recommendations to learn more about your options today!

1. Lab-Grown Diamonds

If you’re concerned about diamond rings from an ethical perspective, we know all about it. Environmentally harmful mining practices and dangerous work environments are one of the reasons we’re on the cutting edge of lab-grown diamonds. We’re striving to transform the industry and make diamonds more accessible for everyone!

Lab-grown stones are identical to mined diamonds in every way — except they’re even more perfect because we have a bit more control over their formation. These diamonds are also much more affordable than mined diamonds and offer you more versatility and control over their color, cut, clarity, and carat.

2. Black Diamonds

Not a fan of diamonds because of their color? We have the perfect diamond substitute for you! If you’re a fan of the Addams family, The Craft, or Lydia Deetz from Beetlejuice, consider black diamond alternatives to discover something a little more in-line with your personality.

Black diamonds get their color from mineral deposits in the stone, including pyrite, graphite, and hematite. The amount of mineral deposit will determine whether your stone is a midnight onyx or a light grey hue. Most of our black diamonds have undergone specialized treatment to ensure even, deep black coverage of the entire stone.

3. Moissanite

Many people confuse moissanite, diamonds, and cubic zirconia. But each of these is a different stone with its own unique properties. Moissanite is a great diamond alternative because its unique origins make it rarer and tougher than diamonds. This stone actually comes from meteorites and has a more brilliant shine than diamonds! In addition, because it’s less likely to attract dirt and dust, moissanite has a higher Refractive Index (RI) than any other stone.

Moissanite is the rarest gemstone on Earth, so most gems are lab grown, making it ethical and conflict-free.

4. Gemstones

Gemstone engagement rings are now an incredibly popular diamond alternative because they break away from the mold of white diamonds in gold settings. Many gemstones are nearly as durable as diamonds, making them ideal for everyday wear, but they allow you to infuse even more personality and statement-making style into your engagement ring!

Morganite

Morganite is a light pink gemstone that looks amazing against a similar rose gold hue of the band. It comes in around 7.5 - 8.0 on the Mohs hardness scale, which means you can wear it while baking, washing dishes, or working out. You don’t have to worry too much about compromising a morganite ring as long as you regularly clean and maintain it.

Sapphire

Considering sapphire as a diamond alternative? We love this bold blue hue! Sapphire is another very hard stone from the corundum family that’s ideal for everyday wear. You can even find cost-effective, lab-grown options that minimize environmental harm from mining. While most people only know about sapphire as a blue stone, it’s also available in pink, green, and red shades.

Emerald

Traditionally a green stone of the beryl variety, emeralds get their hue from traces of chromium in their composition. We propose this stone as a diamond alternative because it ranks at a hardness of 8.0 on the Mohs scale, ensuring it’s tough and durable. You’ll find some variation in the greens of the emerald family, including blue-green and yellow-green options.

Ruby

Our final diamond substitute recommendation is the ruby. As the July birthstone, anybody with this month’s birthday would love a personalized engagement ring with a specific meaning for their life story. As the most durable gemstone on this list, after lab-grown diamonds, it has a hardness of 9.0 on the Mohs scale. Rubies could be the choice for you if you love the drama of a blood-red stone as a diamond alternative.

You should note, however, that even though rubies and pink sapphires may seem similar, they’re actually very different. Rubies must meet a specific color saturation minimum to be considered quality stones. This distinction between the two stones is a new qualification that distinguishes the various shades within the corundum mineral color spectrum.

Find Your Ring

Have we inspired you to explore diamond alternatives for your engagement ring? Browse our site today to find premium-quality gemstones that will make you forget all about mined diamonds!