Best Diamond Alternatives for Engagement Rings

Moissanite is lab-grown silicon carbide, very bright, with more rainbow fire than diamond. It rates 9.25 on the Mohs scale, hard enough for daily rings.

Moissanite costs far less than diamond at the same size, which allows a larger stone for the same budget. Its extra fire suits buyers who like visible sparkle.

Sapphire rates 9 on the Mohs scale and comes in many colors, including white sapphire for a diamond-like look and blue sapphire for color.

White sapphire looks less brilliant than diamond and moissanite, but blue and pink sapphires offer color that diamonds do not, at a lower price than colored diamonds.

Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds, grown in a laboratory, with the same composition and hardness as mined diamonds. They cost less than mined diamonds of the same grade.

For buyers who want a diamond without compromise on material, lab-grown diamonds are the closest alternative, differing mainly in origin and price.

Morganite offers soft pink color at a modest price, but rates lower on hardness and needs a protective setting for daily rings.

Aquamarine, emerald, and ruby offer color and character, but emerald needs care for its inclusions, and ruby at diamond quality costs as much as diamond.

Choose by hardness first if the ring will be worn daily. Stones below 8 on the Mohs scale need protective settings and gentler wear.

Then choose by look: maximum sparkle points to moissanite, diamond identity points to lab-grown diamond, and color points to sapphire or morganite.