Diamonds have been the go-to gemstone for couples that are tying the knot for as long as time can remember.  In fact, this tradition was said to start in 1477 when Archduke Maximillian betrothed Mary of Burgundy in Vienna and sparked a trend for European nobility. 

Due to the aggressive marketing by De Beers, diamond rings were made popular by the public in the 1930s. However, as of late, colored gemstones have been popular due to their affordability, beauty, and superstitious meanings. 

Whether it’s the sensual flare of ruby or the deep blue beauty of sapphire, you can find a beautiful selection of rings that matches your partner’s personality. In this article, we’ll be going over some of the popular colored gemstones and the meanings behind them.

Sapphire

The use of sapphire for engagement rings took off when Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton with an 18K sapphire ring. This was the same ring given by Prince Charles when he proposed to Princess Diana in 1981.

Sapphire engagement rings were thought to bring about good luck and wisdom. It represents loyalty and trust, therefore signifying a lifelong relationship of eternal love. Despite its royal connotations, sapphire rings are more affordable than diamonds, despite being a rarer gem.

Ruby

Many have associated ruby as the perfect gemstone for engagement rings. Ruby’s deep-red color symbolizes and encourages the sensual pleasures of marriage. It promotes passion, intimacy, and has been associated with deepening a couple’s love and even improving the likelihood of conception.

Ruby is rooted deeply in Asian cultures and religions. Hindus consider ruby to be the most valuable gemstone. In Sanskrit, ruby is called ‘Ratnaraj’ or ‘King of Precious Stones’. In Chinese legend, it was said that Emperor Kublai Khan, founder of the Yuan dynasty in 1271 offered an entire city in exchange for ruby.

Many centuries later, rubies are still prized possessions with the purest of reds fetching over $1,000,000 a carat. 

Image by starbright from Pixabay

Topaz

Topaz comes in a multitude of different colors. It’s usually a golden brown-yellow in its natural state but often treated to turn into a dreamy blue, also known as Topaz blue. Topaz isn’t as popular as a gemstone for an engagement ring, but the demands for this gem tend to trend upward over the holiday season- because it’s December’s birthstone.

This makes it the perfect choice for partners who were born in December. Topaz is said to give its bearer healing and protective powers by balancing emotions and shielding its wearer from nightmares and anger.

Image by starbright from Pixabay 

Similar to many gemstones, Topaz has a history of admiration dating back centuries ago. The Egyptians called it the “gem of the sun”, where the sun god Ra provided it with its golden hue. 

Emerald

Legends have it that emerald can change it’s hue when it detects danger, thus warning and protecting its wearer. This can sound far-fetched by today’s standards, but emerald has many meanings when it comes to a loving couple.

According to the Romans, these stones are sacred to Venus, the goddess of sex, love, beauty, and fertility.

Given its deep-green color, there is no surprise that emerald is associated with fertility. Giving a woman an emerald represents luck and longevity in your relationship.