Last updated on October 27, 2025
When choosing an engagement ring, most people recommend diamond rings. Diamonds are the hardest gemstones, symbolizing eternal and unbreakable love, and have long been the top choice for engagement rings. However, despite their durability and beautiful sparkle, diamonds are not suitable for everyone (primarily for two reasons: 1. Dislike. 2. Among common gemstones, diamonds are often the most expensive). Fortunately, there’s no rule that the main stone in an engagement ring must be a diamond, making diamond alternatives a popular topic. In this article, we will list the best, most affordable, and most popular diamond alternatives.
What to Consider Before Choosing a Diamond Alternative?
We know that engagement rings are meant to be worn for a long time, so durability is key when choosing a diamond alternative. Hardness is directly proportional to durability, with gemstones with a Mohs hardness of 7.5 or higher typically meeting the demands of daily wear. Many people choose softer gemstones for their engagement rings based on personal preference and then periodically replace the center stone to maintain the beauty of the ring.
Besides durability, what else should you consider? This question is quite understandable. Ask yourself, “Why are you choosing a diamond alternative?” (Think from your perspective.) When you decide on a diamond alternative, you already have reasons for that choice. Diamonds are too expensive or you don’t like their appearance?
Most people choose diamond alternatives due to high costs, so consider your budget. Set a reasonable budget and then select affordable gemstones within that range.
If you dislike the color or appearance of white diamonds, finding them dull and ordinary, consider colored gemstones. Colored gems can make your engagement ring more attractive, but make sure you absolutely love the color to avoid getting tired of it later. (Although colored diamonds are available, they are even more expensive.)
Some people avoid diamonds due to ethical and sustainability concerns. In this case, you can opt for lab-grown gemstones. Lab-grown gemstone technology has been around for over a hundred years and is now well established, producing gems with the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as natural ones.
Popular Diamond Alternatives
1. Most Popular Diamond Alternative: Moissanite
Moissanite has become the most popular diamond alternative, with sales of moissanite engagement rings second only to diamonds. This is due not only to its diamondlike appearance, high durability, superior fire and brilliance, but also to its price, which is 1/10th that of a diamond. (Mohs hardness of 9.25, with higher dispersion and refractive index than diamonds, and it is birefringent.)
Hot Facts: All moissanite in jewelry today is lab-grown, making it an ethical choice.
2. Best Diamond Alternative: Lab Diamond
For those inclined towards ethical sourcing, lab grown diamonds are the best diamond alternative. Lab-grown diamonds do not involve the environmental and ethical issues associated with mining, and they have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as natural diamonds. Additionally, lab-grown diamonds are more affordable than natural diamonds and offer better quality assurance (lab-grown diamonds have controllable quality).
3. Most Traditional Diamond Alternative: Sapphire
Sapphire is a colorful gemstone available in various hues, including white sapphires similar to white diamonds. With 9 Mohs hardness, sapphire is highly durable, meeting daily wear needs. Historically, sapphire rings were used for engagement rings instead of diamonds, making sapphire a common choice as a diamond alternative. (Perhaps it can’t be said that sapphire is a diamond alternative, as it is a traditional choice for engagement rings in its own right.)
4. Affordable Diamond Alternative: White Topaz
Topaz is also a colorful gemstone, but why specify white topaz? Because to the naked eye, white topaz closely resembles natural white diamonds. While it lacks the fire and brilliance of diamonds, its affordable price and Mohs hardness of 8 make it a popular alternative to white diamonds.
5. Striking Diamond Alternative: Ruby
For those seeking a striking engagement ring, ruby is an excellent diamond alternative. Ruby in engagement rings is a dazzling presence, its bold, passionate red hue symbolizes intense love. Like sapphire, ruby has a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, meeting the needs of engagement rings for long-term wear. (Hot Facts: In corundum, red is called ruby, while all other colors are sapphires.)
6. Classic Diamond Alternative: Emerald
If you love green gemstones, the emerald, known as the king of green gemstones, maybe your ideal diamond alternative. With a Mohs hardness of 7.5-8, emeralds meet the durability needs of engagement rings. Many celebrities, such as Wallis Simpson, Princess Mary, and Halle Berry, have chosen emerald engagement rings.
7. Most Viral Diamond Alternative: Morganite
Data shows that this romantically pink gemstone has become a popular choice for non-traditional engagement rings. Its soft pink color represents romantic love, good durability, and affordable price, making morganite rings the most popular pink engagement rings. (Morganite has a Mohs hardness of 7.5-8, with 1-carat prices ranging between $300-600.)
8. Novelty Diamond Alternative: Aquamarine
Compared to the deep blue sapphire, the fresh light blue aquamarine is a younger choice that is gaining popularity. With its sea-like clarity and good durability (Mohs hardness of 7.5-8), aquamarine is more affordable than diamonds. aquamarine engagement rings are the cost-effective choice for those who love blue gemstones.
9. Romantic Diamond Alternative: Opal
Opal has become one of the most romantic alternatives to diamonds, adored for its shifting rainbow colors and emotional depth. Each opal is completely unique, reflecting light in soft flashes of pink, blue, and green — like capturing a miniature galaxy inside a gemstone.Opal engagement rings symbolize love, hope, and creativity, making them a heartfelt choice for couples seeking something deeply personal. Whether set in rose gold for warmth or white gold for modern contrast, opal brings a poetic glow to every style.
10.Ethereal Diamond Alternative: Moonstone
Moonstone is loved for its ethereal glow and soft play of light, known as adularescence. This natural shimmer gives it a dreamy, moonlit quality that feels both timeless and modern.A moonstone engagement ring represents intuition, emotional balance, and new beginnings, perfect for couples who value subtle elegance over sparkle. The stone pairs beautifully with rose gold or platinum, creating a luminous and romantic alternative to diamonds.
Pros of Diamond Alternatives
- Affordable Prices: Except for high-quality rubies, sapphires, and emeralds, diamond alternatives are usually more affordable than diamonds, which is a significant advantage.
- Variety and Uniqueness: Diamond alternatives offer a variety of choices and can create more unique rings than traditional diamond rings.
- Ethical Choices: Diamond rings may have ethical implications, while diamond alternatives offer lab-created gemstones.
Cons of Diamond Alternatives
- Lower Durability: Except for lab-grown diamonds, other diamond alternatives generally have lower durability than diamonds.
- Brightness and Fire: Apart from lab-grown diamonds and moissanite, other diamond alternatives usually have less brightness and fire compared to diamonds.
Final Thoughts
This article lists 10 more affordable and popular diamond alternatives, all with a durability rating above 7.5, meeting the needs for daily wear in engagement rings. We hope this helps you make a better choice. At MollyJewelryUS, all our natural and lab-grown gemstones are ethical and conflict-free.
FAQs About Diamond Alternatives
What is the best diamond alternative?
Lab diamonds are the best diamond alternative, having the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as natural diamonds.
Is moissanite a popular diamond alternative?
Yes. Moissanite is the most popular diamond alternative today due to its similar appearance to diamonds, high durability, and superior fire and brilliance.
What popular colorless diamond alternatives?
Lab-grown white diamonds, moissanite, white sapphires, white topaz.
What popular colored diamond alternatives?
Colored lab-grown diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, rubies, morganite, aquamarine.
Must diamond alternatives have a hardness over 7.5?
Not necessarily. For engagement rings, it’s best to choose gemstones with a hardness of 7.5 or higher. For less frequently worn jewelry, hardness is not as critical.
Which diamond alternative looks most like a white diamond?
Moissanite. Moissanite is very similar to diamonds, and there are many discussions on how to distinguish moissanite from diamonds.