Which Color Gemstones Make Good Rings?

Color gemstones are some of the most beautiful stones on the planet. You can get them in practically every color of the rainbow and they have a striking natural complexity and range. However, all gemstones are not created equally—especially when it comes to determining which are suitable for rings. good

Just as there’s a range of colors in gemstones, there are different levels of durability. Some gemstones hold up nearly as well as diamonds to everyday wear and tear, while others won’t survive everyday use without scratching, chipping, or general damage. All gemstones can be made into jewelry, but some simply aren’t meant to be worn every day. Save them for special occasion pieces or things like pendants and earrings, which don’t experience quite the same activity as a ring. 

If you’re interested in a gemstone ring but don’t know enough to make your decision just yet, keep reading. We’ll go over what makes some stones suitable for rings, color options, and more!

Mohs Scale of Hardness

To understand durability, we’ll begin with the Mohs Scale of Hardness. The Mohs Scale is used to identify minerals and measure their resistance to scratching. Resistance gets measured by scratching (or attempting to scratch) the mineral with another item of known hardness, like a fingernail or a steel nail. For the record, scoring low does not mean a stone is "no good," it just means the stone is softer than others. There is no right or wrong here! The scale is just a ranking to let people know where certain stones and minerals fall.

The scale runs from one to ten, with one being the softest. Diamonds are ranked at ten, meaning they are the hardest gemstone available while talc scores a one. Color gemstones are scattered across the middle of the scale. Let’s take a look at where some of the most popular gemstones fall on the Mohs Scale and what that means for their suitability as rings. 

Sapphires and Rubies

Sapphires and rubies both score a nine on the Mohs Scale, meaning they’re nearly as hard as diamonds. They’re durable and hold up extremely well against damage and scratches. They’re ideal for enduring the everyday wear and tear a ring goes through. Sapphires are the most common color gemstone alternative for engagement rings and are often used as anniversary rings as well.

4.83 carat Blue Sapphire Yellow Gold Engagement Ring

2.29 carat Cushion Cut Sapphire Halo Engagement Ring

Topaz

Topaz is a lovely colored gemstone coming in at an eight on the Mohs Scale. Like sapphires and rubies, it holds up well against scratches. It’s a fantastic option for engagement rings or rings of any type.

Blue Topaz and Diamond Ring 

Emeralds and Amethysts

It’s tempting to reach for these bright, beautiful color stones for rings, but both only score around a seven on the Mohs Scale. That’s straying into the territory of “too soft” for everyday wear. They’re relatively easy to scratch, making them hard to maintain as rings. 

If you have your heart absolutely set on having an Emerald or Amethyst center stone, there are settings that are better suited for everyday wear that will protect it from damage. Should you choose to go this route, we recommend considering a bezel setting.

2.11 carat Emerald 18K Yellow Gold Engagement Ring

11.75 carat Emerald and Diamond Platinum Ring

Amethyst Pear and Diamond Yellow Gold Ring

Opals, Pearls, and Other Stones & Minerals

Opal engagement rings are beloved by certain people, but opals are very soft gemstones. They only score a five on the scale, so while they make stunning engagement rings, take caution wearing it every day should you choose this stone for your engagement ring and we recommend not wearing it every day.

White Opal and Diamond Engagement Ring

Moonstones, pearls, amber, and turquoise all rank low on the scale too. As beautiful as they are, they’re a better fit for other types of jewelry or less constant wear. If you love one of the softer stones, look for a different way to showcase them!

Good Alternative Options for Color

Color is often the reason people fall in love with a particular gemstone. You may think there’s no way another stone can replicate the dreamy green of a true emerald, but you’ll get very close with certain other (more durable) stones. To get a solid overview of different gemstones and their colors, check out our guides to colored gemstones. 

Sapphires

Sapphires are typically linked to a rich, dark blue—but that’s putting them in much too small a box! They actually come in every color except for red, since red sapphires are actually rubies. Fancy sapphires come in yellow, green, purple, pink, orange, and more! If you are looking for a color gemstone but want to make sure it will withstand everyday wear and tear, sapphires are a good option if not great!

2.02 carat Pink Sapphire Rose Gold Ring

2.55 carat Oval Yellow Sapphire and Diamond Ring

Green Sapphire Signature Wrap Rose Gold Engagement Ring

Rubies

Most people associate rubies with a particular, deep red, but they have a broader range. While ruby’s base color is always red, you can find variations that skew more toward purple, pink, or orange.

Topaz

Topaz, which scores a commendable eight on the scale, comes in a variety of colors. You’ll find the whole rainbow in Topaz alone! If you love emeralds, some topaz comes in that same deep, elegant shade of green. You can pick it up in purple, too, to satisfy your love of amethysts. 

In short, sapphire, ruby, and topaz cover all your color needs!

Taking Good Care of Your Color Gemstone

Even the hardest color gemstones are still softer than diamonds. That means their care needs are different, too, and they’ll need a bit more TLC. Count on being more gentle with your gemstones than you would with a diamond. It’s difficult to scratch ruby, sapphire, or topaz, but it’s best to further mitigate the risk with good care. 

Another important thing to know is whether or not your gemstone has been treated. Certain treatments, like oil-treated stones, require avoiding certain types of care. For instance, it will tell you whether or not your stone should be exposed to high heat. Stones may be bleached, coated, dyed, filled, heat-treated, irradiated, and more. Know the history of your stone to give it the best care possible. 

Here are some other important things to keep in mind for proper gemstone cleaning. 

DO NOT put gemstones in an ultrasonic with other diamond jewelry

DO soak your stone in warm water and mild detergent 

DO gently clean with a soft brush

DO dry it with a lint-free cloth

These are just basic care instructions for color gemstones, but if your ring needs a thorough cleaning or you have questions about its maintenance, consult your jeweler. It’s always best to ask questions when you have them and avoid the risk of damaging your cherished ring. 

Let Us Take Good Care of You

Color gemstones make for stunning rings and jewelry. They allow you to dream up and create pieces that reflect your unique tastes and wear what you enjoy. To enjoy gemstones to their fullest, pick the appropriate ones for each piece. That likely means skipping the everyday emerald ring and reaching for a gorgeous green topaz. 

If you’re ready to come up with your gemstone creation, Lauren B Jewelry is here to help you do it. At Lauren B, we can make the ring of your dreams! Set up an appointment and get started today. We promise to take good care of you and your precious gemstone.