What Gems NOT To Use For Your Wedding Ring

The good old diamond wedding ring is a tried and true tradition of Western weddings. The siren song of the unconventional, however, might prove irresistible to some of the more fiercely independent among you. Now, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with going your own way and picking out a gem that means something more personal than a diamond. There are, however, some downsides to opting out. Here are some gems to watch out for!

White Topaz

Photo courtesy of Love & Promise Jewelers

While white topaz might look like a diamond at first glance, it differs in a few, very important ways. Quite simply, this gem just doesn’t sparkle as well as a diamond and, in the long run, will get dirty and worn out with daily wear. As appealing as it might be to go for a more cost-effective alternative to a diamond, be aware of the drawbacks.

Opal

Photo courtesy of SilverStamped via etsy.com

Opals are super beautiful gemstones: the way they refract light is pretty magical. So, it’s easy to see why it would seem like a great, wallet friendly option for a wedding band. Upon further investigation, though, you’d eventually find out that these beauties also scratch, chip, and crack very easily while also being sensitive to heat and solvents. Not so great if you’re planning on wearing this ring day in and day out, right?

Amethyst

Photo courtesy of InOurStar via etsy.com

Amethyst is the birthstone for those born in February and also one of the prettiest semi precious stones around. Take heed, however, if you’re planning on using one in a wedding ring. That vivid purple colour can fade over time if exposed to too much light. It’s also kind of delicate, scratching easily and being sensitive to heat.

 – Samantha Muraca