Rock your romance: Why you should consider a non-traditional engagement ring

Rock your romance: Why you should consider a non-traditional engagement ring
May 27, 2019 Fairina Cheng

If the idea of a classic solitaire diamond leaves you feeling less than inspired, you’re in the right place.

For decades, we’ve been told by movies, magazines and big-name brands that engagement rings, weddings – and even love – look a certain way. But let’s toss aside the rule book for a second. Today we’re challenging the notion that the traditional white diamond engagement ring is the only way to symbolise your love.

From bold colours to unexpected materials, here are 5 reasons that a wild and wonderful engagement ring might be right up your alley.

5 reasons to consider an alternative engagement ring

1. Break from tradition

Your engagement ring isn’t a fashion statement or a status symbol. And despite what convention might have you believe, the size of your stone doesn’t correlate with the depth of your love. Instead of a round white diamond, explore options like coloured diamonds, sapphires (which come in almost all the colours of the rainbow) or perfectly imperfect salt and pepper diamonds. Alternative shapes like emerald cuts, hexagons or even freeform gems are a great way to turn a classic design into your own personal statement.

Pear parti sapphire engagement ring and wedding bands

2. Tell your story

You and your partner have a story. And it’s probably a damn good one. Use the moments and memories that mean the most to you as inspiration, from hidden messages inside the band to a gemstone that reminds you of the place you first met. Instead of telling a story that’s just like everyone else’s, your ring becomes a conversation piece that captures the magic of your partnership.

Alternative engagement rings - Pink sapphire and rose gold engagement ring with a yellow gold wedding band

3. Make it yours

If you’ve gotten this far, you’re probably pretty keen on a ring that its unmistakably yours (not one that would get lost in a line-up of stock standard engagement rings). The key is to personalise, personalise, personalise. A ring band cast from the stem of a flower your partner gifted you. Or a cheesy inside joke engraved on the inside of your band. Think of your ring as a unique and irreplicable fingerprint (and yes, you can even personalise it with your fingerprint)!

Custom made Ceylon sapphire white gold engagement ring with diamonds by Fairina Cheng

4. Embrace sustainability

While not always the case, the majority of traditional retailers don’t have sustainability as a key consideration. If sustainability is a priority, look for a jeweller who can supply ethically sourced gemstones and precious metals, or recycle your heirloom jewellery. Note that vague statements about “conflict free” and “lab grown” diamonds being ethical choices are not always accurate. Be sure to ask deeper questions like “how do you define ethical sourcing?” and “What measures are taken to ensure responsible mining practices?”. Not all gemstones will have this information available. However a sustainability-focused jeweller should be able to offer options that are more aligned with your values.

White gold and green tourmaline fish ring

5. Enjoy the experience

This is one of those times where the journey is just as important as the destination. When you break from tradition with a custom-made alternative engagement ring, you get a behind-the-scenes insight into the process of bringing your piece to life. After all, creating a bespoke, story-worthy engagement ring is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Enjoy it.

Pear diamond with ombre sapphire in a platinum custom engagement ring

What are the most popular non-traditional engagement rings?

Customers who want a distinctly different engagement ring often choose one of the following:

  • Coloured diamonds in rare and hard-to-find hues
  • Sapphire engagement rings in a plethora of beautiful shades, including gems that change colour in different lights, or have multiple colours in one stone
  • Rustic or salt and pepper diamonds with interesting inclusions and features
  • Black diamonds for a bold look that is the antithesis of everything a traditional engagement ring stands for
  • Sustainability-rated lab created diamonds that have the durability and sparkle of mined diamonds, without the carbon footprint
  • Moissanite, a lab created gem that’s even more sparkly than diamonds
  • Tourmaline, spinel, aquamarine or morganite for unique colours and a splash of individuality
Custom hexagon engagement ring

So there you have it. 5 rule-breaking reasons to consider a non-traditional engagement ring. By choosing a ring that reflects your values around individuality, sustainability and love, you’re turning your ring into more than just a fashion statement. If you need a sign, here it is. Dare to be different and let your ring shine as brightly as your quirky, whimsical, unconventional, distinctive, understated and exceptional love.

Want to chat about a non-traditional engagement ring?

I am a big fan of what I call “rule-breaking, story-making jewellery“. What does this mean? Well, first of all, it isn’t about flaunting a flashy diamond or choosing something generic out of a chain store window.

Creating a rule-breaking, story-making piece is about exploring what makes you “you”, and using that to design something so personalised, it couldn’t have been made for anyone else.

If that’s right up your alley, book a call or send an email to start the conversation.

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