These 3 Diamond Alternatives Are Trending In Engagement Rings

Diamonds may still dominate, but sapphires, moissanite and morganite are emerging as the top engagement ring alternatives—offering colour, sparkle and individuality for a new era of summer proposals.

By Alison McGill

We’re on the verge of summer wedding season, but did you know that that it’s also become one of the peak engagement times too? 

The December holidays used to be known exclusively as engagement season, but in recent years there has been a significant uptick in summer proposals. Look no further than recent celebrity engagements for proof that summer is the new season of love. Taylor and Travis were engaged last August; Cristiano Ronoldo presented Georgina Rodriguez with that colossal 22-carat engagement ring that same month; Callum Turner proposed to Dua Lipa in June of 2025.

Just as engagement season has changed, so too have engagement rings and the starring gemstone of contemporary designs. While diamonds remain a top pick, they are no longer the exclusive choice. There are several chic alternatives, but there are three in particular which topping the engagement ring wish list: sapphire, moissanite and morganite. 

For those on the verge of a proposal in the coming months, here’s a closer look at these gemstones and what makes them a precious choice.

Sapphires

Sapphires are not only loved for their depth and range of colours—blue is the most prevalent shade, but they are also available in tones of pink, orange, green and white—but for their brilliance and durability. In the realm of famous sapphire engagement rings there are a few that top the list, chief amoung them the 12-carat Ceylon oval sapphire worn by the Princess of Wales, and the sapphire and diamond eternity band worn by Carolyn Bessette Kennedy.

Canadian jeweller bluboho has made ethically sourced sapphires a hallmark of their engagement ring designs famous for their heirloom stylings imbued with a feeling of old-world romance and one-of-a-kind stones. Their latest drop of one-of-a kind sapphire engagement rings features eight designs set with stones in hues of lavender, deep blue, as well as a dazzling transparent stone. The creative thinking behind the collection is also unique, inspired by the sweeping vistas of the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. 

“This collection is inspired by an island that is far from ordinary,” shares Maggie Aurocco, founder of bluboho. “It’s rooted in the believe that love, like travel, is about discovery, spontaneity, and the courage to write your own story,” 

Moissanite

This sustainable, lab grown stone is beloved for its incredible sparkle, durability and affordability. Often mistaken for a diamond, moissanites are optically very similar, but they actually have a higher refractive index which means moissanites produce more rainbow ‘fire’ than a diamond when light hits the stone’s surface.

“We people see this stone in person, they just can’t stop talking about the shine that comes from moissanites,” says Louis De Bernardi, who co-founded buzzy Canadian moissanite-focused jewellery brand El&Elle with husband Justin. “This is what made us gravitate towards moissanite jewellery and we have made it our mission to make moissanite a conscious choice for people, not a diamond substitute.”

De Bernardi also shares the affordability of moissanite jewellery is a huge factor driving its popularity—the investment is significantly less than what you pay for a comparable diamond design and there is no compromise on gemstone quality. Current engagement ring styles trending with El & Elle clients include larger size stones (three carats and up!) in elongated shapes like emerald cuts, and more whimsical designs—heart cut stones are having a major moment.

Morganite

Related to emerald and aquamarine, morganite is a romantic, pretty gemstone available in range of warm pinky toned shades from pale blush, to peach, to deep, bluish pink. This stone is believed have a soothing, calming aura and is said to help attract and maintain love—it activates and cleanses the heart chakra.

Like moissanites, morganite is an incredibly durable stone, and also much more affordable than and diamond, particularly a fancy pink diamond which is one of the rarest in the world. Morganite shines brightest in a larger carat size, set in an old-world, vintage setting (rose gold makes for a beguiling metal match) surrounded by a glittering halo of diamonds. If you love the look of Lily Collin’s vintage-inspired engagement ring, or the famous six-carat sparkler Ben Affleck presented to Jennifer Lopez for their 2002 engagement, a morganite engagement ring is your dream bling. 

Another thing we love about this radiant stone? It’s totally on brand with one of our favourite Pinterest Predicts 2026 trends: Extra Celestial. This luminous stone has an otherworldly spiritual vibe about it that feels unique and personal which is exactly what an engagement ring should be.