Photo by Parker Whitson on Unsplash
What do you look for in an engagement ring? Majority of people focus on the centre stone, which is why finding the right gemstone for your engagement ring can be quite a challenge. Aside from being aesthetically superb, the gemstone should also be durable and highly recommended for overall wearability.
One of the factors that are considered when choosing which gemstones to use and which ones to avoid for your engagement rings, the hardness rating is usually a top consideration. Gemstones are given ratings based on the Mohs hardness scale, which range from 1 to 10. This means that the higher the hardness rating, the harder the stone is deemed to be. In turn, the harder the stone, the less risks for it to succumb to wear and tear and chipping due to daily use.
In order to help you decide better, check out the list of the best and worst gemstones for an engagement ring based on the Mohs scale ratings.
- The Best Gemstones
- Diamonds
They don’t say “diamonds are forever” for nothing. Diamonds, with a hardness ratio of 10 on the Mohs Scale, are the hardest, strongest, toughest gemstones on earth. There is no doubt that these gemstones are more durable than any other gemstone. This means that unless these stones are physically damaged, the chances that diamonds can be chipped or scratched range from little to none. Indeed, if you want something that will last for generations, then this is the gemstone to put on your engagement ring.
So, for those of you considering getting diamond engagement rings, then you might want to get in touch with accredited jewellers, dealers, and brokers. Diamond Brokers Queensland helps you with custom engagement rings so make sure to check out what they are offering.
- Rubies
Rubies have a hardness ratio of 9, which means these stones are almost as strong as diamonds. This timeless choice is one of the top three precious stones for engagement rings because it will look just as stunning for many years to come as the day you bought it.
- Sapphires
Even before diamonds became the gem of choice for engagement rings, sapphire was considered one of the most popular stones for engagement rings for centuries and for good reason too. With a similar hardness rating of 9, sapphires are just as hard and durable as rubies. This means that aside from being gorgeous, it is also incredibly scratch resistant. So, if you’re not into the red hues of rubies, then you can opt for the varying blue hues of natural sapphire gemstones Sydney jewellers are offering.
- The Worst Gemstones
- Pearls
With a hardness ratio between 2.5 and 4.5, pearls are considered the weakest and softest of all gemstones.
- Opals
With a hardness ratio between 5.5 and 6.5, opals are a bit harder than pearls. However, these fascinating stones still require special care and storage as it comes with the high risk of chipping. And yet, these stones are gaining popularity once again, thanks to their limitless variety of colours and designs.
- Emeralds
With a hardness ratio between 7.5 and 8, emeralds contain inclusions and cavities that make them highly susceptible to chipping and cracks. Unlike pearls and opals, however, emeralds are resistant to scratching. Still, if you want a gemstone to last a lifetime, you might want to skip this one and opt for either one of the best gemstones. In fact, some jewellers will be reluctant to set emeralds without waivers due to the risks involved.
By taking into consideration the gemstone’s hardness ratio, you are already informed of how much maintenance, polishing, and even repair it will need.
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