If the person you want to marry marches to the beat of their own drum and will appreciate a more non-traditional approach to an engagement ring, there are plenty of designs you can explore and toy with.

Go for A Different Diamond Color

You might be surprised to know that diamonds are not just colorless. While it’s widely accepted that diamonds of the highest quality are colorless or transparent, these stones actually come in a variety of colors. Some colors include:

. Steel gray

. Black

. White

. Brown

. Blue

. Pink to purple

. Yellow

. Green

. Orange

. Red

Generally, colored diamonds exist because they contain a lot of defects and impurities in the structure. These defects cause these gems to have different colors. This is why pure diamonds are more perfectly colorless or transparent. If your partner has a specific favorite color or if you want to add more meaning to the ring, go for a colored diamond. You can say that you chose this gem because your love may be imperfect, but it doesn’t mean it’s any less beautiful or not worth committing to or fighting for. Let your heart and mind run wild, and watch your partner be touched the significance of the ring.

Choose A Different Stone

An engagement ring need not be a diamond all the time. There is no universal law that says it has to be. Here are some other gemstones you can consider aside from diamonds:

• Amethyst is a purple stone that may not be as hard as its gemstone counterparts, but it can still be very durable and affordable.
• Turquoise can range from bright blue to a more pastel or paler hue and has a composition of aluminum and copper.
• Sapphire is usually bluer in shade, but it can also come in hues of pink, peach, green, yellow, and white. These stones are considered the third hardest mineral, but they are still at a fraction of the price of a diamond. A well-cut one can give off the look of a diamond, making it the most suitable alternative.
• Emerald is usually green. With the right setting, they can last forever, just like any diamond.
• Morganite is known for its pink hue, which makes it perfect for the feminine and romantic partner.
• Garnet comes in a variety of shades and is more known for being the star of more old-fashioned pieces. However, they look wonderful when paired with pearls.
• Pearls are timeless and iconic, but they tend to scratch and wear off more easily.

Opt for A Moissanite

If your partner is an earth-loving, justice-caring individual who takes their consumption seriously, you can go for a moissanite stone instead of a traditional one. With all the ethical issues surrounding the sourcing and processing of diamonds, a moissanite engagement ring might be a more suitable alternative. This is because moissanite is a more eco-friendly, sustainable, and conflict-free stone that looks just like a diamond. These gemstones are also developed in labs, which means they leave a smaller impact on the environment as they produce less carbon footprint.

Use a Different Material, Structure, Or Shape

If your partner loves art and customization, they might appreciate a different take on the engagement ring. For example, if you are both musicians, you can consider having one of your snare drums into the band of the ring and setting a stone on top of it. You can also explore other shapes—for example, if your partner loves trees and plants, you can customize a ring that looks like a vine instead of the traditional band.

Consider your partner’s personality and passion and find ways to incorporate those things into their engagement ring. Doing so will add a personal touch and incorporates more meaning and significance to your proposal instead of just going for a generic engagement ring.

Don’t Go for A Ring at All

If you truly want to break away from tradition, why not go for a different type of jewelry? Once again, no law says that you need to use a ring to propose. Here are some ideas you can play around with:

• An heirloom that’s been passed down in your family from generation to generation
• A necklace with a meaningful pendant
• A charm bracelet with charms that incorporate things that are important to both of you
• Earrings that they can wear to your wedding

Looking for the perfect engagement ring for the person you want to spend the rest of your life with a special experience? Make sure to partner with the most skilled jewelers to get exactly the piece you need to get that sweet “yes.”