Beautiful Birthstone Engagement Rings
Birthstone engagement rings are a unique way to personalize your ring without spending a fortune. Diamonds are by far the most popular stone for engagement rings, but many couples are choosing birthstones for a deeper sentimental meaning.
Birthstones by Month
Each month has a specific gemstone associated with it – some months have two to represent both timeless stones and modern gems. Because some months offer different birthstone options, it’s never a bad idea to ask your bride-to-be which stone she most closely associates with for her birth month. It would be a tragedy to spend time picking out the perfect birthstone engagement ring and end up with the wrong gemstone!
If you are unsure which stone represents each month, here’s a handy chart for you to use:
- January – Garnet
- February – Amethyst
- March – Aquamarine
- April – Diamonds (or sapphires)
- May – Emeralds
- June – Pearls
- July – Rubies
- August – Peridot
- September – Sapphires
- October – Opals (Or tourmaline)
- November – Yellow topaz (Or citrine)
- December – Blue topaz (or turquoise, or tanzanite)
As you can see from the chart above, several months have a few possible gemstones to choose from. These stones represent both modern-day gems associated with the month and traditional stones that have been closely linked to each month for quite some time.
Classic Birthstone Rings
For a simple, classic ring, simply choose the bride’s birthstone to replace a traditional diamond as the center stone. If your bride has her heart set on a diamond, you can add her birthstone as accents. If you choose to buy a large birthstone for the center stone, carefully examine the stone before purchase. Check for any noticeable flaws or irregularities that can not only detract from the beauty of the ring, but may cause problems later on.
Because most birthstones are semi-precious gemstones, you can typically purchase a birthstone engagement ring for much less than a traditional diamond ring.
Jewelers will have a limited selection of birthstones to choose from, especially if you are shopping for a birthstone outside of the current month (a July birthstone in September, for example.) For best results, visit the jeweler at the end of the month the birthstone you need is associated with. Chances are, you may need to custom order your ring if the jeweler doesn’t have the stone you need.
Multiple Birthstone Rings
While the classic birthstone ring offers a beautiful sentiment for your bride-to-be, consider customizing a ring with both the bride and groom’s birthstones for a truly special piece. There are a number of options a couple can choose when customizing an engagement ring with both birthstones. Either way, the special significance of a dual birthstone ring is both unique and indicative of a couple’s bond to one another.
For a truly special ring, couples can also use the birthstone or stones associated with a particular date in their lives, such as the first kiss or date of the proposal.
Birthstone rings bring extra special meaning to an already joyous occasion, and can be just as beautiful as a traditional diamond engagement ring. When used to symbolize the special bond between a couple, your ring will hold extra significance for many years to come!
Tags: birthstone engagement rings, birthstones, birthstones by month
10:59 AM UTC February 08, 2012