Sparkle Differently: 8 Stunning Alternatives to Diamonds!

What sets foot in your mind every time you hear the word "Diamond"? Brilliant? Mesmerizing? Always used for Engagements or Wedding Rings? Hmm, what else? These are just some of the contenders when it comes to weighing opinions about it.

Diamonds. Who doesn’t want to acquire one of these? Let's face it, not all of us are inclined to know all the jewelry terms, and I admit, neither do I. I ain't an expert, and I still have a lot to learn. Hence, whenever I hear the word Diamond, what registers to my mind is, “Let me have one of those, too!”. As simple as that! But of course, one significant reason not all can obtain diamond jewelry of their own is its PRICE. Yep, I know the majority will agree to that. Right? (Help me out! I’m looking for some allies. Haha!).

Pricey, costly, over-priced, what more can we say? I could hardly disagree. But hey, it’s also worth it!

Diamonds are known to be the Light. The luminous sensation that it offers accentuates the beauty of perfection. Like the Sun, diamonds serve as the provider of brilliance. Riches! I’ve already mentioned that it’s expensive, right? Anyway, it’s called the stone of commitment that makes it an ideal gem to use for an extraordinary moment in the couple’s life.

Nevertheless, there are some alternatives to Diamond that will make you say, “Oh, I think I’ll choose this instead. It looks identically the same!”. So let’s get crack-a-lacking and check out these beautiful gemstones that you never thought can be of the same level as the diamond’s glamour.

Always mistaken as Diamonds at first glance. However, when you look closely, it may display a greenish-yellow hue. It may have the same appearance, but it projects different brilliance. It’s a diamond simulant, so meaning it isn’t real. Hence, that doesn’t mean that it’s fake; it is real and a gorgeous gemstone of its own. Talking about its price, they are a significantly cheaper alternative to diamonds, which only pertains that a larger moissanite stone can still be less expensive than a tiny-bitty diamond. The only downside is, it can also be far less valuable.

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It is blue, right? Yes, it is! But take note, White Sapphires are also available and more low-priced than the blue ones. It was also proven in Mohs’ scale that Sapphires earned a 9 rating for durability and hardness. They are mostly used as an alternative for diamonds because of their identical appearances and lower price. Same with a moissanite, you do have the choice to choose a big sapphire stone to use. However, for you to have that “diamond-look” on the ring, you better choose a small-sized sapphire stone instead.

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Aren’t these blue gems, as well? Hence, its pale blue color paved its way to becoming one of the favorite diamond alternative engagement rings’ stones. The lighter the aquamarine color is, the more it’s mistaken to be diamonds. Ironic, right? Aquamarine stones are slightly cheaper compared to diamonds. However, sometimes, their ring settings can be the basis of the pricing. Nevertheless, when choosing an engagement ring, it would be best to know what the preference is of the person you intend to give this to. If he/she is open to a new style with a bit of a blue-ish color, then go for the aquamarine stones. A shade of blue with exceptional quality is undoubtedly an ideal choice. But, if they’d rather stick to the traditional way, it would be best to choose the Diamond stones instead.

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Fancy to have a slightly pink or peach color jewelry? Or want to have like a fairytale-vibe kind of ring? Check out this Morganite stone! It may be far from the diamond’s appearance, but its warm hues make it a perfect alternative when buying a charming ensemble. When it comes to sparkles, well, I would really vote for Diamonds instead. Though it doesn’t shine brightly like the others, it’s luminosity is still considered enough to satisfy the eyes of many. Price wise, this stone is way cheaper than diamonds, but take note, it’s the second most favorite alternative after Sapphire. 

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Who would’ve thought that Opal would be included in this list? As they say, it is associated with love, desire, and passion. Although they’re not brilliant at all, dare to look closely, and you’ll be amazed at the mesmerizing vibe that it brings. It’s like looking at an arguably unique masterpiece that showcases a crystalline structure. Opals have become a popular alternative for those on a budget because they tend to be very inexpensive without compromising their value. The only downside to selecting an opal stone is that it is not as hard as diamonds, so it can be prone to scratches and chips. That is why wearing it every day may not be an excellent move.

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A green stone. Aren’t we supposed to be giving examples with the same color as diamonds? Well, let's just include this beauty in the list. Emeralds portray a symbol of love and truth, so this makes it an ideal alternative to have. They are known to be scratch-resistant; however, they don’t usually display the diamond-like sparkle, but instead, they project green flashes. Did you know that it is often more expensive than Diamonds? Oh yes! They are 20 times rarer than Diamonds, which only implies that it demands a more pricey rate. It is also very durable to wear, but we suggest choosing the ones with a bezel or halo setting to ensure that it can have the stones fully protected. And lastly, know that this stone's color can appear overwhelming at some point, so better know first if you’d want to push through with the green stone, or better yet, stick with the usual diamond stone.

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Want to spice up your choices and have something that can project a fiery desire for love and passion? You’re in luck! Adding to the list is Ruby. In comparison to emeralds and sapphires, rubies are now making their way to becoming a prevalent choice for the best diamond alternative. It is also considered a very durable stone, making it perfect for everyday wear. Plus, you won’t need to worry about its price! Even if you choose a bigger stone, you might just be surprised to know that you still have some savings left! Though Ruby can sometimes offer similar prices like diamonds, you may think it may not be too much of a saving. Nonetheless, we all know that every penny counts! Let that love bloom and dare to be fierce, strong, and be dearly beautiful!

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Finishing our list is the Cubic Zirconia stones. They’re pretty, yes, they are. But I’ve listened to a lot of people, and they say that these stones are fake. Let’s change that mindset! Cubic Zirconia may not be real diamonds; they are not brilliant nor offer the same durability, they’re purely colorless and cheaper, but still, they are not FAKE. They are real stones in their own right. You might say that it looks the same as diamonds at first glimpse, but if you inspect it further, you will notice a drastic difference in beauty and quality. They may look pretty but not ideal if you’d like a jewelry piece that will last for a long time. The downside is, it gets scratches easily and becomes cloudy over time. And from a value point of view, sadly, they are worth next to nothing. 

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Whew! That was a long list of explanations! Haha. Do you now know what to choose if you don’t have enough budget for diamonds? Take note, we’re not only referring to engagement or wedding rings here. Hence, we have provided this list to serve as a reference to help you narrow your choices when buying any jewelry! Diamonds and alternative stones are ideal for both men and women, so you won’t need to worry that it might not suit you at all. You’ll look fine! 

The questions now are: Did we somehow change your mind and that you’d prefer choosing other stones than the usual diamonds? Would you dare to go with different radiant colors for you to stand out from the others? Or would you rather stay with the traditional diamond jewelry? 

After all, it’s your choice, your fashion, your glamour (and of course, your money! haha). Remember, if you’re still confused about choosing the right stone for you or your loved ones, IceCarats is here to give you a vast selection of the stones mentioned above. So not to worry, we got you covered! Indulge and discover! There are a lot of beauties to uncover! Keep sparkling!