Gemstone Engagement Rings

Gemstone Engagement Rings with Colour and Character

Gemstone engagement rings use a coloured gemstone as the main feature or as part of a gemstone-and-diamond design.

The centre stone can provide a noticeable point of colour, while diamonds may appear around it, beside it or along the shoulders of the ring.

This creates a wide choice of designs, from simpler coloured centre-stone rings to more detailed halo and side-stone settings.

When comparing gemstone engagement rings, consider the gemstone itself first, followed by its shape, setting, precious metal and any surrounding diamond details.

Choosing a Gemstone Engagement Ring

Begin with the gemstone colour you or your partner naturally prefers.

Blue, green, red and other coloured stones can each give an engagement ring a very different appearance. A birthstone connection can also provide another personal reason for choosing a particular gemstone.

Next, consider how the gemstone will be worn. An engagement ring intended for regular wear should be chosen with its setting, gemstone characteristics and lifestyle in mind.

Finally, compare gemstone size, visible dimensions, ring proportions, precious metal and any diamond specifications together rather than choosing from carat weight alone.

Gemstone and Diamond Engagement Rings

Gemstone and diamond engagement rings combine a coloured centre stone with diamond detail.

Diamonds may surround the gemstone in a halo, sit on either side of the centre stone or appear along the shoulders of the ring.

Depending on the design, natural or lab-grown diamonds may be combined with the coloured gemstone.

Where both gemstones and diamonds are included, review their specifications separately so you understand the complete design.

Sapphire Engagement Rings

Sapphire engagement rings are one of the most recognisable coloured gemstone choices.

Blue sapphire is particularly familiar in engagement jewellery, although sapphire can occur in other colours as well.

A sapphire may appear as the main centre stone, be surrounded by a diamond halo or sit between diamond side stones.

Explore our wider sapphire gemstone jewellery collection for more information about sapphire colour, shapes and jewellery styles.

Emerald Engagement Rings

Emerald engagement rings place a green gemstone at the centre of the design.

The emerald may be used alone, surrounded by diamonds or accompanied by side stones depending on the setting.

When comparing emerald engagement rings, consider the gemstone's colour, dimensions, shape, setting and the overall proportions of the ring.

It is also important to distinguish between an emerald gemstone engagement ring and an emerald-cut engagement ring. The first describes the gemstone, while the second refers to the shape of a stone.

Discover more about emerald gemstone jewellery and its distinctive green colour.

Ruby Engagement Rings

Ruby engagement rings introduce a distinctive red centre stone.

A ruby may form the main feature of the ring or be combined with diamonds in halo, side-stone and other settings.

When choosing a ruby engagement ring, compare the gemstone colour, shape, dimensions, setting and surrounding diamond details.

Explore our wider ruby gemstone jewellery collection for additional coloured gemstone information.

Aquamarine Engagement Rings

Aquamarine engagement rings bring pale blue to blue-green colour to the centre of the ring.

The gemstone can be worn as a single focal point or paired with diamonds.

Oval, round, pear and other shapes can give aquamarine very different proportions when viewed on the hand.

Discover more aquamarine gemstone jewellery and the gemstone's March birthstone connection.

Peridot Engagement Rings

Peridot can introduce a fresh green colour to an engagement-ring design.

The gemstone may appear as the main centre stone or as part of a gemstone-and-diamond setting.

When comparing designs, consider gemstone colour, visible dimensions, setting and precious metal together.

Explore peridot gemstone jewellery for more information about this traditional August birthstone.

Opal Engagement Rings

Opal engagement rings can provide a very different visual effect from transparent faceted gemstones.

Individual opals can show changing colour and pattern, making the exact stone particularly important when choosing a ring.

Because opal benefits from careful handling, consider how protected the gemstone is within the setting if the ring will be worn frequently.

Explore our opal gemstone jewellery collection for more information about play of colour and opal care.

Pearl Engagement Rings

Pearl engagement rings offer another route away from a conventional faceted centre gemstone.

When choosing a pearl engagement ring, consider pearl size, setting, precious metal and how exposed the pearl will be during everyday wear.

Pearls require more careful handling than many harder gemstones, making the ring design and setting particularly important.

Discover our wider pearl gemstone jewellery collection.

Birthstone Engagement Rings

A birthstone engagement ring connects the choice of gemstone with a particular birth month.

Sapphire is traditionally associated with September, emerald with May, ruby with July, aquamarine with March and peridot with August.

A birthstone does not need to determine the design of the ring, but it can provide an additional personal reason for choosing one gemstone over another.

Birthstone engagement rings can also combine a coloured centre stone with diamonds for a design that retains both gemstone colour and diamond detail.

Popular Gemstone Engagement Ring Shapes

Gemstone shape changes the outline and proportions of an engagement ring. Popular options include round, oval, pear, emerald, princess and marquise shapes.

Round Gemstone Engagement Rings

Round gemstones have a balanced circular outline.

They can be used as a single centre stone or combined with diamond halos and side stones.

Oval Gemstone Engagement Rings

Oval gemstones combine curved edges with an elongated outline.

The extra length can make the centre stone appear particularly noticeable along the finger.

Pear-Shaped Gemstone Engagement Rings

Pear-shaped gemstones combine a rounded end with a tapered point.

The direction in which the point is worn can also influence the overall appearance of the ring.

Emerald-Shaped Gemstone Engagement Rings

An emerald-shaped gemstone usually has a rectangular step-cut outline.

The phrase refers to the shape, so an emerald-cut sapphire is still a sapphire gemstone, while an emerald gemstone can itself be cut into several different shapes.

Princess-Cut Gemstone Engagement Rings

Princess-cut gemstones have a square or near-square outline with defined corners.

They can be used as centre stones or combined with additional diamond details depending on the design.

Marquise Gemstone Engagement Rings

Marquise gemstones have an elongated outline with pointed ends.

Their directional proportions create a distinctive centre-stone shape when worn on the hand.

Gemstone Engagement Ring Settings

The setting secures the gemstone and has a major influence on the finished appearance of the ring.

Prong-Set Gemstone Engagement Rings

A prong or claw setting holds the centre gemstone at selected points around its edge.

The number and position of the claws depend on the gemstone shape and ring design.

Bezel-Set Gemstone Engagement Rings

A bezel setting surrounds all or part of the gemstone with precious metal.

This creates a clearly defined metal border around the centre stone.

Halo Gemstone Engagement Rings

A halo setting places smaller diamonds around the coloured centre gemstone.

This keeps the gemstone colour central while adding diamond detail around its outline.

Side-Stone Gemstone Engagement Rings

Side stones sit beside the main gemstone.

They may be diamonds or additional gemstones depending on the ring design.

Three-Stone Gemstone Engagement Rings

Three-stone designs use a centre gemstone accompanied by two stones positioned on either side.

The side stones may match the centre gemstone or introduce diamond detail.

Natural Diamond Gemstone Engagement Rings

Natural diamonds can be used around or beside a coloured centre gemstone.

They may form a halo, side stones or shoulder details depending on the ring.

Check the individual product page for the exact diamond carat weight, colour, clarity and other specifications where provided.

Lab-Grown Diamond Gemstone Engagement Rings

Lab-grown diamonds can also be combined with coloured gemstones.

They may be used in the same types of halo, side-stone or shoulder details as natural diamonds.

Review the individual product details to confirm exactly which diamond type is included in the ring you are considering.

White Gold Gemstone Engagement Rings

White gold provides a bright surrounding metal tone for coloured gemstones.

It can be used across gemstone-and-diamond engagement-ring designs where available.

Yellow Gold Gemstone Engagement Rings

Yellow gold provides a warmer precious-metal colour around the centre gemstone.

The contrast between yellow gold and coloured stones can change the overall appearance of the same gemstone design.

Rose Gold Gemstone Engagement Rings

Rose gold introduces a softer pink-toned precious-metal option.

Its appearance can work differently with blue, green, red or pink gemstones depending on the exact colour of the centre stone.

Platinum Gemstone Engagement Rings

Platinum provides a naturally white precious-metal option.

It creates a neutral surrounding metal tone around both coloured gemstones and diamond details.

Sterling Silver Gemstone Engagement Rings

Selected gemstone engagement-ring designs may also be available in sterling silver.

Exact metal availability depends on the individual ring, so always check the product configuration before ordering.

Choosing the Right Gemstone Ring Size

An accurate ring size helps an engagement ring sit securely and comfortably.

If the proposal is intended to be a surprise, an existing ring that fits the correct finger can sometimes provide a useful starting point for sizing.

Always check the applicable resizing options and terms for the individual engagement ring before purchasing.

Caring for a Gemstone Engagement Ring

Care requirements can vary depending on the gemstone.

For everyday maintenance, avoid unnecessary impact and exposure to harsh household chemicals, and pay attention to the condition of the claws or setting holding the centre stone and diamonds.

Because different gemstones have different levels of hardness and toughness, follow the care guidance provided for the specific gemstone in your engagement ring.

Gemstone Engagement Rings from Sunshine Diamonds

Sunshine Diamonds brings coloured gemstone and diamond engagement-ring designs together within its wider gemstone jewellery collection.

Explore gemstone engagement rings across different gemstone colours, shapes, settings and precious metals, with natural or lab-grown diamond details available across selected designs.

Sunshine Diamonds also provides UK hallmarking on applicable precious-metal jewellery, free delivery, 30-day returns and resizing support under the applicable terms.

Choose a gemstone engagement ring according to the centre stone's colour, shape, dimensions and setting, together with the precious metal, diamond details and the way the ring will be worn.