Best Diamond Alternatives for Your Engagement Ring

Find diamond alternatives that are ethical, affordable, and just as beautiful. Explore Cleopatra’s Bling’s curated selection of sustainable options.

An engagement ring is one of the most personal pieces of jewellery you will ever wear, a daily symbol of love, partnership, and meaning. At Cleopatra’s Bling, we believe that beauty and depth come not from convention but from individuality.

Choosing a diamond alternative allows you to honour your story through colour, symbolism, and artisanship. More couples today are looking for alternative engagement rings to diamonds that reflect their values such as sustainability, cultural resonance, and a preference for one-of-a-kind design.

“We will see a move towards less conventional cuts such as Asscher, oval, and antique-style cushions,” says Olivia Cummings, founder and creative director of Cleopatra’s Bling, in her Vogue Australia interview.

“The Asscher cut feels timeless and genderless, which aligns with what many modern couples are looking for.”

At Cleopatra’s Bling, we see this same shift in our bespoke work, with couples choosing stones and settings that feel lived in, tactile, and personal. True beauty lies in the character of a stone, in its subtle inclusions, its natural shape, and the way it catches the light differently from every angle.

Traditional diamond mining carries complex social and environmental implications, which is why Cleopatra’s Bling is committed to working only with ethically sourced stones. All of our diamonds comply with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, ensuring they are conflict-free and responsibly traded.

Our approach to stone sourcing for our jewellery collections is rooted in our commitment to quality, ethics, and trust. We exclusively work with small family businesses across the globe, with whom Olivia has built strong relationships over the past 12 years. This ensures that we know exactly who we are dealing with and can trust their practices. The gemstone market can be complex to navigate, but through these long-term partnerships, we guarantee that every gemstone meets our high standards for quality and responsible sourcing.

Additionally, our in-house gemologist works closely with these suppliers to verify the authenticity and excellence of each stone, ensuring that our jewellery is not only beautiful but also ethically made. By maintaining these close relationships and rigorous standards, we uphold our commitment to fair labour practices, environmental responsibility, and exceptional craftsmanship in every collection.

Every Cleopatra’s Bling piece is handcrafted in Istanbul and Florence by master artisans using generational techniques. By working with natural stones such as sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and aquamarines, we create jewellery that honours both the earth and the human hands behind it.

Choosing an alternative diamond engagement ring often allows for more creative freedom, larger stones, richer colour, and intricate craftsmanship, without the price of a traditional diamond.

“White and yellow sapphires are such beautiful and classic options,” Olivia told Vogue Australia.

“They have the luminous quality of diamonds while feeling more organic. They are also incredibly durable, which makes them perfect for daily wear.”

When exploring alternative gemstones for diamonds, consider how each stone performs in daily life and what story it tells.

Durability varies among gemstones.

On the Mohs scale of hardness:

• White sapphire (9) is the closest natural equivalent to diamond.

• Emeralds, aquamarines, and morganites are slightly softer and best suited to bezel or flush settings that protect their edges.

Colour creates emotion. Each gemstone carries a world within it, shaped by the landscapes and cultures where it has been cherished for centuries.

White or pale stones such as sapphire or topaz evoke classic elegance and timeless clarity, while coloured stones like emerald, ruby, and jade connect us to rich jewellery traditions across the world. Emeralds recall the opulent Mughal courts of India, rubies have long been treasured across Southeast Asia for their warmth and vitality, and jade has been revered in China for millennia as a symbol of harmony and protection.

At Cleopatra’s Bling, these stones are more than adornment. They are storytellers that bridge eras and geographies, reflecting the brand’s fascination with ancient techniques and cross-cultural design.

Olivia notes that “couples are becoming more attuned to meaning and story, rather than just the four Cs.” This renewed appreciation for colour, texture, and imperfection lies at the heart of Cleopatra’s Bling’s design philosophy.

Each gemstone carries an ancient resonance:

• Emerald: love and rebirth

• Ruby: courage and passion

• Aquamarine: clarity and calm

• Sapphire: creativity and transformation

• Amethyst: intuition and peace

Softer stones like amethyst require gentle cleaning and separate storage. Their ethereal beauty, however, is worth the extra care.

When selecting a metal for your ring, the choice between 14k and 18k gold can influence both the longevity and the feel of your piece. While both are crafted from gold alloyed with other metals to increase strength, their compositions differ. 18k gold contains 75% pure gold, giving it a rich hue and luxurious weight, while 14k gold contains around 53.3% pure gold, resulting in a paler tone and slightly firmer structure.

From a technical perspective, both 14k and 18k gold register a hardness of 150 on the Vickers hardness test, meaning they offer comparable resistance to everyday scratches. However, 18k gold is more malleable, with a tensile strength rating of 520 compared to 14k’s 590. This added malleability allows 18k gold to absorb shock more effectively, making it less prone to brittleness. It can bend slightly under pressure rather than snap, which is particularly important for settings that hold precious stones securely in place.

18k gold also has a higher elongation percentage of 40%, meaning it can stretch further without breaking. In contrast, 14k gold, with its 17% elongation, is more rigid and therefore more likely to fracture if impacted. The stiffer structure of 14k gold means it does not cushion blows as well, which can increase the risk of small diamonds or gemstones coming loose over time.

Though 18k gold is slightly softer and more expensive due to its higher gold content, it offers superior flexibility, longevity, and a deeper, more luxurious colour. For those seeking a durable yet beautiful metal that complements both daily wear and fine craftsmanship, 18k gold is often the preferred choice in Cleopatra’s Bling’s fine and bespoke collections.

Below are some of the most beautiful, naturally occurring alternative stones to diamonds, chosen for their allure, symbolism, and wearability.

• Brilliant, durable, and naturally luminous
• A timeless and ethical choice for alternative diamond engagement rings
• Ideal for those seeking a bright, organic sparkle

• Clear and elegant, offering gentle brilliance
• Best for those who value subtlety and simplicity

• Rich green hue symbolising vitality and wisdom
• Loved for its natural inclusions that make each stone one of a kind
• Works beautifully in bold designs like our Boudica Ring

• Serene blue tones reminiscent of Mediterranean light
• Represents clarity, truth, and lasting love

• Romantic pink hues that glow in warm gold settings
• Soft yet luminous, symbolising tenderness and compassion

• Vibrant red, associated with devotion and protection
• Perfect for those drawn to bold, emotive colour

• Deep violet stone tied to creativity and insight
• Beautiful in flush-set or bezel designs for a contemporary twist

• Culturally significant in many traditions, representing harmony and renewal
• Increasingly chosen by couples seeking depth and symbolism over convention

For those seeking an unconventional yet timeless alternative, enamel rings offer a distinctive and meaningful choice for engagement or everyday wear. Enamel has been used in jewellery for centuries and remains one of Cleopatra’s Bling’s signature materials, celebrated for its vibrant colour, durability, and connection to ancient craftsmanship.

Enamel is highly durable and can be worn in the shower or while washing your hands. However, we recommend removing your ring during strenuous activities that involve your hands to prevent accidental damage. It is resistant to scratches, chipping, and tarnishing, and it will not fade over time, making it ideal for daily wear.

While enamel can break if dropped or struck against a hard surface, smaller enamel details, such as those seen in our Fede Ring, are less vulnerable due to their compact surface area. With gentle care, your enamel jewellery can last a lifetime.

To maintain its shine, polish your enamel ring occasionally with a soft jeweller’s cloth or bring it to a local jeweller for a quick refresh. Despite its intricate and ancient production process, enamel remains a wonderfully practical choice for those seeking a colourful, expressive, and enduring alternative to traditional stones in engagement or heirloom rings.

If you love colour and story, explore emerald, ruby, or jade. For a more minimalist aesthetic, white sapphire or topaz may resonate. Olivia describes the modern direction as “intentional individuality,” rings that feel like heirlooms of the self.

Explore metal finishes that elevate your chosen stone:

• 18k Gold Plated
• 24k Vermeil
• Solid Gold Rings

Consider whether your ring will be worn daily, reserved for special moments, or passed down. Cleopatra’s Bling creates pieces that live with you, evolving in patina and meaning over time.

Cleopatra’s Bling rings are hand-carved and cast using the ancient lost-wax method, creating organic forms that feel alive.

Every piece embodies the philosophy Olivia expressed in Vogue Australia:

“Clients are gravitating towards rings that combine old-world techniques with contemporary silhouettes. There is a return to slow craft and human touch.”

Discover Cleopatra’s Bling’s range of bespoke and fine jewellery designed with intention, story, and craftsmanship:

• Rings

• Drop Earrings

• Necklaces

From the Christiaan Ring in Sapphire and Diamond to the Arka Ring in Enamel and Gold, each design captures the essence of individuality and craftsmanship.

For Cleopatra’s Bling, the best diamond alternatives are not about imitation but authenticity. They hold stories of love, craftsmanship, and heritage, made to be worn, lived in, and passed on.