For as long as I can remember, the idea of getting engaged has always been tied to a diamond ring. But as I started seriously thinking about my own engagement, I realized I wanted something different, something that truly reflected my personality and style. The pressure to conform to the traditional diamond felt overwhelming, so I embarked on a journey to find a unique engagement ring that felt truly "me."
My initial thought was, of course, a diamond. It’s what I’d always envisioned. But the more I looked, the more I felt like I was seeing the same ring over and over again. They were beautiful, no doubt, but lacked the personal touch I craved. I wanted a ring that told a story, something that sparked conversation and truly represented me. I began to explore other options, and that's when the real adventure began.
I started by researching different gemstones. I had no idea the variety that was out there! I discovered sapphires in a rainbow of colors, vibrant alexandrite, and even the elusive padparadscha. Each gemstone had its own unique charm and character, and I felt a thrill of excitement as I considered the possibilities.
The first gemstone that truly caught my eye was a purple sapphire. I'd always associated sapphires with a deep blue color, but seeing that vibrant purple hue was a game-changer. I even considered wearing it on my e-ring finger at times, as I already had a diamond ring and a blue sapphire ring. It was so different and eye-catching! I remember thinking, "This is it! This is the unique touch I've been looking for."
And then I found a picture of a purple sapphire with lab diamonds. The person who owned it had originally planned on a diamond center stone, but fell in love with the sapphire instead. The combination of the purple sapphire and the lab diamonds was stunning. I started to seriously consider this as an option.
Next, I stumbled upon alexandrite. I had never even heard of it before! I discovered that it's a color-changing gemstone, which sounded incredibly intriguing. Someone shared a picture of their alexandrite ring, an oval 10x8mm stone set in 14k yellow gold with a pave band. It was a similar design to some rings I had tried on. The color shifting quality of alexandrite is notoriously difficult to capture in photos, adding to its mystique.
Then there was the padparadscha. The name itself sounded exotic and alluring. I learned that it's a type of sapphire that comes in shades of salmon and peach. Someone shared a picture of their padparadscha ring, but mentioned that it was difficult to capture the true color. They said it looked salmon/peach in warm lighting and a little more pink in cool lighting. The color variability was so appealing!
Just when I thought I had made up my mind, I saw a cornflower lavender sapphire ring. It was set in rose gold with diamonds around the center stone. The person who owned it had originally thought it was morganite but their partner upgraded it to a sapphire. The hexagon shape was so unique and the color so delicate. I was completely obsessed!