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The Symbolism of Coloured Gemstone Engagement Rings

Coloured gemstone rings carry rich symbolism — sapphire for loyalty, ruby for passion, emerald for harmony — and add personality to traditional engagement settings.

Sapphires, rubies and emeralds: meanings & durability

  • Sapphire (loyalty): extremely durable (Mohs 9), excellent for everyday wear.
  • Ruby (passion): same corundum family as sapphire — brilliant reds with strong symbolism.
  • Emerald (harmony): historic and evocative but softer — needs protective settings and careful handling.

Consider both the emotional meaning and practical durability: sapphires and rubies are excellent for daily wear, emeralds reward protective design and loving care.

How to style coloured stones

Choose settings that protect softer gems (bezels/halos) and pair with lab-grown diamond accents for ethical sparkle.


For a contemporary look, set a coloured centre in platinum with a slim halo of lab-grown diamonds; for a vintage mood, use an 18 ct yellow gold bezel or a milgrain halo. Colour contrast (warm metal + cool stone or vice versa) can dramatically change the ring’s personality.

If a coloured lab-grown gemstone feels right, bring your inspiration to our York showroom — we’ll show you safe ways to wear colour every day.

Explore Coloured Styles