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Choosing a birthstone for an engagement ring can be a deeply personal and meaningful decision. Not only do birthstones carry sentimental value tied to one’s birth month, but they also offer a unique alternative to traditional diamond rings. However, when it comes to an engagement ring meant to last a lifetime, it's essential to choose a gemstone that balances beauty, symbolism, and durability.
This guide provides a month-by-month breakdown of birthstones, their meaning, and whether they’re suitable for an engagement ring. We’ll also explore something crucial for shoppers—the Mohs hardness scale, which measures a gemstone's ability to withstand daily wear.
The Mohs hardness scale ranks minerals on a scale from 1 to 10 based on their scratch resistance—diamonds, for example, score a perfect 10. For engagement rings, a hardness rating of at least 7 is recommended to ensure durability for everyday wear.
Now, let’s explore each birthstone and determine how they stand up for engagement rings.
Mohs Hardness: 6.5 - 7.5
About the Stone: Known for its rich, deep red hues, garnets are a classic choice in jewellery. However, garnets come in a range of colours, including vibrant greens (tsavorite and demantoid garnet) and oranges (spessartite garnet).
Engagement Ring Suitability: Garnets are relatively softer on the Mohs scale, which means they are more prone to scratches and chips over time. If garnet is your birthstone and your heart is set on it, consider using it in a protective setting like a bezel or as an accent stone.
Mohs Hardness: 7
About the Stone: This purple variety of quartz has long been admired for its stunning colour and affordability.
Engagement Ring Suitability: With a Mohs rating of 7, amethyst is slightly on the softer side for an engagement ring. It can be worn daily with careful handling, but may require more maintenance to keep it free from nicks and scratches.
Mohs Hardness: 7.5 - 8
About the Stone: Delicate, cool blues define aquamarine, a member of the beryl family (which also includes emeralds). This gemstone evokes a serene and elegant vibe.
Engagement Ring Suitability: Aquamarine is durable enough for daily wear and is a popular choice for engagement rings, though care should still be taken to avoid harsh impacts.
Mohs Hardness: 10
About the Stone: The hardest naturally occurring substance, diamonds are known to symbolise enduring love and strength. Available in various cuts, colours, and clarity levels, they remain the most popular choice for engagement rings.
Engagement Ring Suitability: With unmatched hardness and durability, diamonds are the best possible option for a lifelong piece of jewellery. Their ability to resist scratches and damage makes them a worry-free choice.
Mohs Hardness: 7.5 - 8
About the Stone: Vivid green emeralds, another member of the beryl family, have long been a favourite among royalty and romantics.
Engagement Ring Suitability: While emeralds have a decent Mohs score, they are considered brittle due to their internal inclusions (natural imperfections). This makes them prone to chips if not handled carefully. A protective setting is strongly recommended.
Mohs Hardness: 2.5 - 4
About the Stone: Pearls are elegant and timeless, formed in oysters rather than on land like most gemstones.
Engagement Ring Suitability: Pearls are far too soft and delicate for the everyday wear of an engagement ring. If you adore pearls, consider them for occasional jewellery instead.
Mohs Hardness: 8.5
About the Stone: Alexandrite is famous for its unique colour-changing property, shifting from greenish hues in daylight to reddish tones in incandescent light.
Engagement Ring Suitability: With excellent hardness and durability, alexandrite is a rare but incredible choice for engagement rings.
Mohs Hardness: 6 - 6.5
About the Stone: Known for its enchanting iridescence, moonstone is a mystical and captivating gem.
Engagement Ring Suitability: Moonstone is too soft for regular use in engagement rings and should be reserved for jewellery worn less frequently.
Mohs Hardness: 9
About the Stone: Rubies, part of the corundum family, are cherished for their fiery red hues and long-standing association with passion and vitality.
Engagement Ring Suitability: Rubies are an excellent choice for engagement rings. Their high hardness ensures durability, and their rich colour makes a bold, timeless statement.
Mohs Hardness: 6.5 - 7
About the Stone: Peridot is a stunning lime-green gem formed deep within the Earth’s mantle and brought to the surface by volcanic activity.
Engagement Ring Suitability: Peridot, while beautiful, is relatively soft, making it susceptible to scratches and chips. It’s best to use this gem in designs where it is protected or in occasional-wear jewellery.
Mohs Hardness: 9
About the Stone: Sapphires, another member of the corundum family, are available in a rainbow of colours, although classic blue remains the most iconic.
Engagement Ring Suitability: Sapphires are an outstanding choice for engagement rings thanks to their exceptional hardness and durability. They’re second only to diamonds, making them perfect for daily wear.
Mohs Hardness: 5.5 - 6.5
About the Stone: Opals dazzle with their unique play-of-colour, displaying a kaleidoscope of hues as they catch the light.
Engagement Ring Suitability: Opals are too fragile for engagement rings and require careful handling to avoid scratching or breaking. Consider using opals in pendant designs instead.
Mohs Hardness: 7 - 7.5
About the Stone: Tourmalines come in a broad spectrum of colours, with pink and green varieties being particularly popular.
Engagement Ring Suitability: Tourmaline’s moderate hardness makes it a decent choice for engagement rings if worn with care.
Mohs Hardness: 8
About the Stone: Topaz is known for its incredible clarity and variety of colours, ranging from blue to yellow and pink.
Engagement Ring Suitability: Topaz is a reasonably durable stone for engagement rings, although precautions should be taken to avoid hard impacts.
Mohs Hardness: 7
About the Stone: Citrine, a golden variety of quartz, radiates warmth and positivity with its sunny colour.
Engagement Ring Suitability: Citrine is not ideal for engagement rings as it is slightly softer and more prone to wear over time.
Mohs Hardness: 5 - 6
About the Stone: Turquoise’s vivid blue-green hues have been admired for centuries.
Engagement Ring Suitability: Turquoise is not suitable for engagement rings due to its softness and tendency to absorb oils and chemicals.
Mohs Hardness: 6 - 7
About the Stone: Found only in Tanzania, tanzanite boasts stunning purplish-blue hues.
Engagement Ring Suitability: While breathtaking, tanzanite is relatively soft and better suited for occasional wear in protective settings.
Mohs Hardness: 6 - 7.5
About the Stone: Zircon is a naturally occurring gem often mistaken for synthetic cubic zirconia. It comes in a range of vibrant colours.
Engagement Ring Suitability: Its lower hardness makes zircon a less ideal choice for engagement rings.
Selecting a gemstone for your engagement ring involves balancing beauty, durability, and personal significance. While diamonds and sapphires remain the best for durability, other stones can work with careful design choices.
Want guidance on selecting the right gemstone for your engagement ring? Visit us online or contact our gemstone experts to find a stone that perfectly reflects your style.
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