Is a Coloured Gemstone Engagement Ring Right for You? A Guide to Sapphires, Emeralds, Rubies and Beyond

When someone walks into Fogal & Barnes and says "I don't think I want a diamond", I always smile. Not because it surprises me - it really doesn't anymore - but because I know we're about to have a really good conversation.

Coloured gemstone engagement rings have been having a moment for a while now, and honestly, I think they're here to stay. They're personal, they're striking, and they tell a different story. But are they right for you? Let's talk it through.

What Does Your Gemstone Mean?

This is one of my favourite conversations to have with clients. Every stone carries a meaning, and for many people that meaning matters just as much as the look.

Sapphire - loyalty, fidelity, wisdom. It's no coincidence that sapphires have adorned royalty for centuries. A sapphire engagement ring says I choose you, and I mean it. Available in a range of shades from the classic cornflower blue to deep navy, teal, and even pale powder blue.

Emerald - growth, love, new beginnings. Cleopatra's stone of choice. An emerald engagement ring has a lush, living quality to it; it feels romantic in the most old-worldly way. Emeralds are best paired with a protective setting like a bezel or halo to shield the stone.

Aquamarine - calm, clarity, courage. If you've ever stared out at a clear sea and felt completely at peace, that's what aquamarine does. It's pale blue or blue-green, serene, and utterly beautiful. An aquamarine engagement ring is perfect for someone who loves understated elegance with a real personality.

Ruby - passion, protection, vitality. Rubies are bold. They demand attention and they deserve it. A ruby engagement ring is for the woman who knows exactly who she is.

Tanzanite - rarity, transformation, spirituality. Found in only one place on earth: the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, tanzanite shifts between violet and deep blue depending on the light. If you want something truly one of a kind, this is it.

Yellow Sapphire (and coloured sapphires) - optimism, warmth, joy. Most people picture sapphires in blue, but they actually come in almost every colour imaginable: yellow, pink, peach, white, even green. Each shade carries its own character. Yellow sapphires radiate warmth and positivity, pink sapphires feel romantic and feminine, and peach sapphires have that soft, dreamy quality. A coloured sapphire engagement ring is one of the most versatile choices you can make, and one of the most underrated.

When Colour Becomes the Solution

A client came to us recently with a very clear vision: she wanted a yellow diamond engagement ring. Vibrant, warm, completely her. The only problem? Natural fancy yellow diamonds are rare, and the budget just wasn't there for the size and quality she had in mind.

The alternative? A yellow sapphire. The warmth, the colour, everything she'd originally imagined, just in a stone that worked perfectly within her budget and, honestly, looked every bit as beautiful. 

This is something we do regularly at Fogal & Barnes. Whether it's budget, availability, or simply wanting something different - a coloured gemstone can often give you the look and the feeling you're after, sometimes better than the original idea.

Some of our beautiful coloured gemstone engagement rings in store at Fogal & Barnes

Colour vs. Diamond — What's the Difference?

A few things worth knowing before you decide:

• Hardness matters. Diamonds score 10 on the Mohs hardness scale - nothing is harder. Sapphires and rubies score 9, making them excellent for everyday wear. Emeralds and aquamarines are slightly softer and need a little more care with the setting.
• Colour is personal. With a diamond, grading is relatively standardised. With coloured stones, it's far more subjective; two sapphires can look completely different. This is why seeing stones in person (or working with someone you trust) really matters.
• Inclusions are part of the story. Emeralds, in particular, almost always have internal characteristics, so much so that the trade has a word for it: jardin (French for garden). It's not a flaw; it's the stone's fingerprint.
• Pricing can be very different. Some coloured stones offer incredible value compared to diamonds of similar visual impact. Others, fine Burmese rubies, for example, can exceed diamond prices. We'll always be honest with you about what's achievable within your budget.

Famous Faces Who Said Yes to Colour

Before we get into the stones themselves, let's talk about the rings that changed everything.

The most iconic? Princess Diana's sapphire engagement ring, the 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire surrounded by diamonds, now worn by Princess Catherine. When Prince William proposed with it in 2010, the world fell back in love with coloured stones overnight.

Princess Diana's 12-carat sapphire and diamond ring - image courtesy of Vogue.co.uk

Then there's Jackie Kennedy's engagement ring - a stunning art deco design featuring a 2.84-carat emerald alongside a diamond, set in platinum. Effortlessly elegant, and decades ahead of its time.

Jackie Kennedy's beautiful diamond and emerald Toi et Moi ring - Image courtsesy of Vogue.co.uk

And if you want to talk about someone who truly embraces the world of coloured stones: Victoria Beckham has accumulated a collection of over 15 engagement rings throughout her marriage to David Beckham, and among them are three exceptional coloured gemstones. A breathtaking oval-cut ruby surrounded by a halo of white diamonds, a 20-carat sapphire solitaire set on a delicate pavé band, and a cushion-cut emerald set in a platinum sculptural diamond spiral. A ruby, a sapphire, and an emerald — she's basically made the case for coloured stones all by herself!

Our Coloured Gemstone Range

At Fogal & Barnes in Harrogate, we have a beautiful selection of coloured gemstone engagement rings both online and in store. You'll find sapphires, emeralds, aquamarines, rubies, and tanzanite, in a range of settings, shapes, and styles to suit every personality.

Who says an engagement ring has to be a solitaire diamond? Our gorgeous emerald-cut aquamarine ring in store

Can't find exactly what you're looking for? That's what we're here for. Our bespoke service means we can source the stone, design the setting, and create something made entirely for you,or the person you're about to ask the most important question of your life.

Browse our gemstone engagement ring collection online, or better yet, come into the shop and let's have that conversation in person. There's nothing quite like trying a ring on to know it's the one.