Selecting a gemstone involves more than choosing a colour. Durability, size, setting style, and care requirements all play a role in how the stone performs and how the finished piece comes together.
At Alexis Gallery, we provide clear information to help you determine the best option for your ring.
The right stone is the one that suits your ring and your vision. A gemstone based design can begin with colour, symbolism, durability, or a specific material preference.
Moissanite is eye-catching thanks to its durability, bright sparkle, and lively flashes of rainbow sparkle. For engagement rings and other pieces worn often, it remains a popular choice and is frequently selected as an alternative to a diamond.
Under direct light, rainbow flashes can dance across the stone, some people describe it as a ‘disco ball’ sparkle. As the stone size increases, that effect tends to become more pronounced.
Jeweller’s Tip: Try more than one size. Moissanite carries a lot of brilliance, so a slightly smaller stone can still have presence.
Best in: Solitaires and three stone designs.
Sapphires are durable coloured gemstones used in engagement rings, anniversary rings, and custom jewellery. A blue sapphire is the most recognized colour, but sapphires are available in a range of colours, giving you a rainbow of options to choose from. Colour depth, saturation, and tone all influence the stone’s overall appearance, with darker sapphires often creating a more formal look and lighter stones feeling more modern.
Jeweller’s Tip: View sapphires in different lighting conditions. A stone that looks rich indoors may read darker outside.
Best in: Three-stone designs, solitaires and halos
Ruby is a red corundum gemstone known for its rich, unmistakable colour and impressive durability. From vivid, bright reds to deeper, more dramatic tones, ruby has a bold presence that naturally draws attention and often becomes the focal point of a design.
Ruby works well in rings intended for regular wear, combining strength with striking colour. Whether featured in a classic solitaire or a more detailed custom design, the setting should provide enough structure to let the stone’s character stand out.
Jeweller’s Tip: Compare ruby against different metals. Yellow gold can warm the stone, while platinum or white gold can sharpen the red.
Best in: Anniversary rings and custom engagement rings
Emeralds are green gemstones known for their rich colour and distinctive internal character. Unlike many other gemstones, natural emeralds often display visible inclusions, which are considered part of what makes each stone unique. When selecting an emerald, colour and overall presence tend to be just as important as clarity. Not everyone opts for the most clear stone, the ‘jardin’ is part of the joy of natural emeralds.
Emerald is more delicate than moissanite, sapphire, and ruby, so thoughtful design and lifestyle consideration plays an important role in how it is worn. Protective settings are often recommended, and a bezel or low-profile design can help support the stone while allowing its colour to stand out. No matter the setting, emeralds should be worn occasionally and with care.
Jeweller’s Tip: Do not make clarity the whole decision. The stone’s colour should carry the design.
Best in: Bezels and low-profile designs
Alexandrite is one of the most intriguing gemstones because its appearance can shift dramatically under different lighting conditions. Depending on the light source, it may show green, teal, purple, or red tones, giving the stone a dynamic character that changes throughout the day.
Part of the appeal of alexandrite is seeing that transformation for yourself. It should be viewed in more than one lighting environment before selection, as the strength of the colour change can vary from stone to stone. Colour change, tone, and carat weight all play an important role in value and overall appearance.
Jeweller’s Tip: Look at alexandrite in daylight and indoor light. The change should be visible.
Best in: Milestone pieces and unique designs.
Spinel is one of those gemstones that often surprises people once they see it in person. Available in red, pink, lavender, grey, and blue, it combines moderate durability with bright, lively colour, making it a versatile choice for modern custom jewellery.
Grey and lavender spinel are especially interesting because they interact so noticeably with different metals. A subtle shift in tone can completely change the character of the finished piece, from soft and understated to bold and contemporary.
Jeweller’s Tip: Unique cuts look great with spinel, consider hexagons or geometric shapes.
Best in: Modern rings and cluster designs
Aquamarine is a blue gemstone known for its crisp, ocean-like colour and airy appearance. It has a calm, understated look that stands apart from more intensely coloured gemstones. Because aquamarine is often lighter in tone, its colour tends to become more noticeable in larger stones, while smaller sizes can appear less saturated once set.
Compared with harder gemstones such as sapphire or moissanite, aquamarine benefits from extra care. It can be used in rings when the design provides appropriate protection, but needs to be worn with care. It is also a popular choice for pendants and earrings where its clear blue colour can take centre stage.
Jeweller’s Tip: View aquamarine against the metal you are considering. The setting can enhance the blue.
Best in: Pendants and occasional-wear rings
Moissanite, sapphires, and rubies are strong options for engagement rings because they have durability for regular wear. Emeralds, alexandrite, spinel, and aquamarine can also be used as long as the wearer understands proper care. The important thing is matching the gemstone to wear, care, and design needs.
Start with the colour you love, then compare hardness, care needs, size, and setting options. Trends can influence gemstone preferences, but the finished piece should be selected for the person wearing it. Clear comparison helps build confidence in the decision.
Yes. A gemstone can be selected for birth month, family history, cultural meaning, or personal symbolism. An associated gemstone can also be connected to ideas such as emotional healing, emotional balance, self acceptance, truth, energy, or joy when those meanings are relevant to the wearer.
Before selecting a gemstone, review durability, care requirements and colour behaviour.. These aspects affect how the jewellery wears over time.
Yes! Meaning is a beautiful place to start. A gem can be selected because it relates to a family piece, a milestone, or a place connected to the wearer’s life.
We can use the design to enhance meaning through thoughtful symbolism.
A gemstone may be the focal point of a piece, but the final result depends on how that stone is selected and integrated into the design. Details such as setting style, metal choice, scale, and wearability all contribute to the way the jewellery looks and feels. When a specific gemstone is chosen thoughtfully, its beauty is supported by the ring that holds it.
Alexis Gallery offers custom jewellery design, gemstone sourcing, and handcrafted pieces built around the characteristics of each stone. Clients can compare gemstones side by side, review design options, and receive proper guidance on durability, setting considerations, and long-term care. This step helps clients understand how a particular gemstone will feel in the finished piece.
If you are selecting a spinel, teal sapphire, emerald, or any other gemstone for an engagement ring, Alexis Gallery can guide the process with an expert eye. The experience connects gemstone selection with craftsmanship, turning the stone into a finished piece with purpose and meaning.
