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Today it’s all about Mother Earth! Here at Love & Promise, we love being eco-friendly and what better way to celebrate the day than talk about diamond alternatives! These earthly gems are beautiful in their own right and now it’s their time to shine! But what exactly is a diamond alternative? Which alternative stone looks more like a diamond? We’ll answer that as well as give you five fabulous gems to admire. Let’s get started Rosettes!
What is a diamond alternative?
Before we dive into the five center stones, let’s answer the big question first, what is a diamond alternative? A diamond alternative is simply any other gem that is not a diamond. As we all know, diamonds can be pricey. Diamonds may not be for everyone but diamond alternatives can be another option!
There are an array of diamond alternatives for you to choose from! Sapphires (keep an eye out for a future blog post that’s all about teal sapphires), emeralds, and morganites are just a few of the many gems for you to call your own. There’s truly something for everyone!
What alternative stone looks more like a diamond?
At our shop, we choose to use alternative stones because we don’t like to contribute to unethical practices. We truly only want what’s best for you and the environment! While diamonds are in a category of their own, there is a stone that closely resembles a diamond. This would be the moissanite!
Moissanites will appear to have a similar appearance as a diamond but of course, they are not 100% alike! Moissanites have similar sparkle and shine as a diamond. In fact, moissanites give off more twinkle when exposed to any kind of light. Who doesn’t love a lot of sparkle?!
5 Diamond Alternatives
Now for the main event! Here are some fabulous diamond alternatives that will leave you speechless!
1. Aquamarine
Pretty as the sea and lovely as the sky! Aquamarine is a gorgeous stone that comes in different shades. The most popular is on the paler side, which closely resembles the sky! Although the radiant gem looks great paired with white gold, it looks just as great with a yellow gold band too!
Now for some fun facts! Aquamarine is meant to symbolize youth, fidelity, and heath. Additionally, aquamarine gets its name from “aqua marina”, which translates to “seawater” in Latin. How lovely is that?!
2. Peach Sapphire
Peach sapphires are all the rage! While most think that a sapphire just comes in the classic blue, this is not true! They come in a variety of different colors but the peach sapphire is our absolute fave! This peachy-pink stone, also known as a champagne sapphire, looks gorgeous paired with rose gold.
Emotions of love is just one of the few things that peach sapphires represent. Gifting this gem to the one you adore will show them just how much you care!
3. Oregon Sunstone
Warm shades of orange, gold, reds, and browns. Sounds like a stunning sunset! The Oregon sunstone can be found in southern Oregon. This unique diamond alternative can sometimes give off a spangly effect that glitters. Why does it shimmer like that? Well, that is all due to the inclusions of minerals! Oregon sunstones sometimes contain tiny pieces of copper platelets, which are found in the stones crystal layers. The more copper that is within the stone, the darker its hue will be.
According to a Native American legend, the blood of a noble warrior that was wounded by an arrow landed on pieces Oregon sunstone. The blood carried his warrior spirit into the stones, coloring them red, and gave them sacred power. Sounds pretty fascinating if you ask us!
4. Icy Lavender Sapphire
Ice Ice baby! This cool gem reminds us of the pretty, pastel florals that are sprouting out of the ground as we speak! Icy lavender sapphires are very rare. In fact, they are even more rare than your typical blue sapphire!
Like most gems, they have special meanings behind them. Sapphires symbolize nobility, faithfulness, and sincerity. Aww, how sweet is that?
Green Emerald
Green just like the lush grass. Lovely! A green emerald is the most sought after type of emerald out there. Green emeralds come from the beryl family. How exactly does a green emerald get its color? That would be all thanks to chromium and vanadium of course!
Here’s some fun facts for you! In ancient Greek, green means “smaragdus”. There’s something you can share with others! Also back in the day, it was said that if you placed a green emerald under your tongue, you would be able to see the future. How crazy does that sound?!
Price Comparison
Usually colored stones have their own way of grading and pricing is dependent on the same factors. However, each category is weighed differently. For colored stones, there is more emphasis placed on cut and color intensity versus diamonds, which has more emphasis placed on cut and clarity.
Typically, the richer and purer the color concentration, the higher the price. The chart below will give you a glimpse into this matter as well as other useful information to help you decide which gem is right for you!
Why L&P is Eco-friendly
As previously mentioned, we love the environment! It’s our shop’s mission to embody fair, ethical, and sustainable practices in all aspects of our business. Whether it’s where we buy our diamonds or the materials we use for packaging, we’re all about being green!
We love the Earth and we’re sure that you’ll fall in love with these dazzling gems. As always, be sure to check out our website and follow us on our socials for all things Love & Promise. Happy Earth Day Rosettes!
