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Nicole Kliest is a freelance fashion and travel writer based in New York City. Her work has appeared on sites including Who What Wear, The Zoe Report, Popsugar, Harper's Bazaar, and Elle.
Ever since De Beers launched their historic 'A Diamond Is Forever' campaign in 1948, women around the world have defaulted to the sparkling gemstone as the engagement ring of choice. But that was over seventy years ago—a lot has changed since then. Trend shifts in recent years have unveiled a yearning for something less expected and nontraditional when it comes to bridal jewelry, which is why a colored engagement ring is likely something you've had on your radar for some time now.
Colored engagement rings encompass both fancy color diamond rings and vivid gemstone rings such as rubies and sapphires. Essentially, any design that brings in color can be a striking pick for an engagement ring and thanks to designers both classic and contemporary, there's a slew of beautiful pieces to choose from.
First things first is to select the color you're hoping to achieve as well as the cut of the stone that reflects your personal style. But don't narrow your thoughts too much! "Keep an open mind for similar shapes, as you may find the perfect color in a slightly different shape. Then, build your ring around your gemstone to showcase its beauty," suggests Lorraine Brantner.
Lorraine Brantner is a sales manager for James Allen, a fine jewelry company dedicated to premium customer service and affordable prices.
Read on for the best colored engagement rings.
Aquamarine is an unexpected, yet stunning choice for your engagement ring. The soft hue paired with a simple silver band is equal parts timeless and unique.
A bright radiant-cut yellow diamond cements this gorgeous ring. The modern frame of smaller white diamonds gives off ample sparkle.
Handcrafted in DAVIDOR's Paris Atelier, this gorgeous 18k white gold ring, featuring a pink tourmaline stone, is perfect for a classic bride who enjoys a pop of color. We especially love the arch detailing–a delightfully unique touch.
London blue topaz—a stone with a vivid cerulean hue—is always a good idea, particularly for the nontraditional bride. Plus, it’s a color that will never go out of fashion.
It doesn’t get more magnificent than this beautiful emerald ring from the legendary jeweler, Kwiat. The emeralds are sustainably and ethically sourced from the Muzo and Chivor mines in Colombia.
Mejuri is known for its affordable, colorful engagement rings, which is why we couldn’t resist this peachy number with morganite, diamonds, and 14K white gold. A jaw-dropping ring at a wallet-friendly price? We’ll take it.
This gorgeous sapphire ring is crafted with unique diamond side stone details and an 18k yellow gold band. It's a classic, deco-inspired shape with a modern, clean twist.
For a ring that takes your breath away, go for this fancy yellow emerald-cut diamond creation. Crafted with a micro pavé band, it offers a well-balanced sparkle.
This elegant, pear-shaped diamond gets an upgrade with a diamond halo. We love the unusual, golden-brown hue paired with shiny accents. Sparkles for the win.
If you have your heart set on an emerald engagement ring (we don’t blame you), it doesn’t get much more breathtaking than this creation from Marisa Perry. The three-stone setting features a bold oval-cut emerald paired with two delicate pear-shaped diamonds.
Texture and color hit their stride with this ultra-pretty engagement ring from Japanese jeweler, Yoshinobu Kataoka. Aquamarine, pearls, and diamonds—oh my!
Courtesy of Tina Smith Jewelry
This striking tourmaline center stone feels especially old world thanks to the bezel setting. At 2.40 carats and flanked by an engraved chevron pattern, you won’t be able to resist this Bulgari masterpiece.
A two-tone 18k white and rose gold ring that offers white baguette diamonds and pink diamonds. In other words, it’s a feast for the eyes.
A round brilliant cut light blue sapphire steals the show with this romantic engagement ring. To finish, a floral cluster of marquise diamonds circles the delicate band.
This large pear cut green diamond is the ultimate statement ring, perfect for the bride who wants to eschew tradition. Champagne diamonds set in an 18-carat yellow gold band seal the deal.
This ring was inspired by the Duomo Cathedral in Milan and features a marquise-cut aquamarine center stone. The platinum band and white diamond accent stones all come together for a remarkable piece of jewelry.
Not for the faint of heart, this fashion-forward tendril ring featuring a heart-cut topaz and burgundy enamel is well-suited for the modern, artsy bride. Handcrafted in Italy, this chic ring makes a bold statement.
This three-stone ring incorporates both diamonds and colored gemstone for a truly remarkable effect. This particular iteration, featuring a ruby, feels both feminine and romantic.
This gorgeous ring displays a saturated tanzanite center surrounded by a band of sparkling diamonds. Regal and striking, it leaves a lasting impression.
Go modern and ditch the traditional center stone aesthetic altogether. Instead, reach for this gorgeous ruby and diamond twist ring—you won't regret it.
Peridot’s slightly eccentric hue is perfect for the bride-to-be who loves color. Plus, it's a versatile color and goes well with other jewel tones (perfect for building your ring stack in the future!).
This ruby and diamond cluster engagement ring is a glorious amalgamation of precious gemstones and quality craftsmanship. It's a timeless look that will never go out of style.
Courtesy of Kendra Pariseault Jewelry
This out-of-this-world ring features a 4.01-carat, cushion-cut natural green sapphire, flanked with 1.05 tow trill cut diamonds. Yup, that’ll do just fine.
The feeling when you realize pink tourmaline and diamonds is the combination your romantic, jewelry-loving heart has desired all along. This ring spotlights recycled gold and ethically sourced stones—perfect for the socially and environmentally conscious bride.
Keep it sweet and simple with this romantic combination of pink morganite and rose gold. It's the stuff of fairy tales!
A medley of sapphire, white diamonds, and gold—this charming ring has it all, and then some. The five stones are set in recycled gold (choose from rose, yellow or white).
Courtesy of Natalie Marie Jewelry
A desaturated green hue takes center stage with this beautiful oval amethyst ring. It’s at once simple and striking.
If turquoise gemstones hold special significance for you, there’s no one saying you can’t have one for your engagement ring. This sleek iteration from Grace Lee is a keeper.
For an engagement ring that exudes rosy sparkle, you’ll want to check out this number from Porter Gulch. It features a 1.39 carat cushion-cut peach Malagasy sapphire center, two rose-cut round white diamonds, and two round white diamonds totaling 0.31 carats.
Courtesy of Jennie Kwon Design
This ultra-cool, modern ring features tiny, sparkly diamonds set against a rectangular emerald; it feels both timeless and effortless all at once.
Mirror your love for the sea and the sky with this icy aquamarine engagement ring. The simple gold band (we love the knot details!) and prominently-featured center stone is a fantastic design choice.
The deep, soothing hue of this morganite ring is only enhanced by the gold vintage band. It’s the kind of piece you’ll love looking at every day.
While you may think the color of your bold bling is the most important feature to consider, think again. "Cut is the number one factor in determining how nicely your diamond or gemstone sparkles. While there are stricter parameters for D-Z color ranges, fancy colored diamonds and gemstones are cut to maximize their face up color in addition to sparkle," Brantner says.
In this case, the stone is the most exciting to pick out, as it determines the whole look! "There is a lot of personal preference with the color of your center stone! Blue sapphire is the most common gemstone, though you may find that you prefer a lighter, icy blue color more than the typical medium blue," says Brantner. Whether your personal style gravitates towards a softer pastel hue or a more rich, fiery shade, there's a style, cut, and setting to accommodate every look.
When selecting a colored engagement ring, it all truly begins and ends with the stone. "Pick your gemstone type and then your outline shape first," suggests Brantner. Consider which is more important to you: the color or the shape of the stone. Due to the rarity of some colored gemstones and diamonds, you may fall in love with the color of one stone but the shape of another. In this case, you may have to prioritize which is more valuable to you. Focus on the feature that holds a greater influence on your personal style.
While most colored stones are less expensive than a white diamond, some of the most reasonably priced gemstones are aquamarine, morganite, peridot, topaz, garnet, amethyst, citrine, and rose quartz.
There are no rules when it comes to picking a metal color for your gemstone engagement ring. While white diamonds tend to go with every type of metal, you may find that certain gemstones work better with certain metals and colors.
"Rubies and sapphires are both corundum and the hardest colored stones. They are the most durable for everyday wear," Brantner states.
"Pearls and opals are very soft and the most prone to damage and abrasion," warns Brantner. "Special care should also be taken with an emerald ring as they are softer gems and exposure to abrasion and chemicals can remove the oiling that aids in the gem's beauty and luster."
Nicole Kliest is a fashion, travel, and food & wine writer based in New York City. With over nine years of experience in the digital publishing industry, her work has appeared on sites including Who What Wear, The Zoe Report, Cools, Popsugar, Harper's Bazaar, Elle.
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