The Uk’s Favourite Engagement Ring Gemstone Revealed – And It’s Not Diamond

The UK’s Favourite Engagement Ring Gemstones Revealed

• Emeralds are the most popular type of engagement ring gemstone in the UK with an average of 13,000 searches per month.
• Diamonds and sapphires are the joint-second most popular type of engagement ring gemstone, each with 11,000 searches per month on average.
• Moissanite engagement rings are the third most popular type of engagement ring gemstone in the UK with 4,000 searches per month on average.

New research has revealed that Emeralds are the most popular type of engagement ring stone in the UK.

Customised jewellery experts at Glamira, analysed Google search data for different engagement ring gemstones to reveal which ones are the most popular in the UK. A list of gemstones each followed by the term ‘engagement rings’ was used to determine the results.

Emeralds were found to be the most popular type of engagement ring stone in the UK with an average of 13,000 searches per month. Emeralds, which are recognised as one of four ‘precious’ gemstones, are made from the mineral beryl and get their signature green colour from trace amounts of chromium or vanadium. Several celebrities have been seen sporting Emerald engagement rings over the years, including actresses Halle Berry and Megan Fox, as well as former Spice Girl and fashion designer Victoria Beckham.

Diamonds are the joint second most popular type of engagement ring gemstone, with 11,000 searches per month on average. The use of diamonds within engagement rings dates back as far back as the 15^th century, and like other ‘precious’ gemstones, their price is largely dictated by the 4 C’s; colour, clarity, cut and carat. While many people prefer the look of colourless diamonds, some celebrities have opted for rarer alternatives, such as the blush-coloured diamond featured in actress Blake Lively’s engagement ring.

Joining Diamonds in second place with 11,000 searches per month on average, are Sapphire engagement rings. Sapphires are typically blue in appearance, but natural sapphires can also come in yellow, purple, orange, and green. Celebrities that have been seen wearing a sapphire engagement ring include the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton well as actresses Penelope Cruz and Gwyneth Paltrow.

In third place are Moissanite engagement rings with 4,000 average searches a month in the UK. Moissanite was first introduced to the jewellery market in 1998 as a more affordable alternative to diamonds, due to similarities in its colour and appearance. These gemstones are comprised of silicon carbide and are typically colourless, but they can also have hues of yellow and green. Unlike diamonds, moissanite does not occur in large enough amounts in nature to produce gemstones, so must be produced artificially in a lab.

Ruby engagement rings are the fourth most popular with 3,300 searches per month on average in the UK. Rubies can range from pinkish to blood red and are the corresponding birthstone for the month of July. Celebrities that have been spotted wearing a ruby engagement ring include singer Katy Perry and actress Eva Longoria.

Opal engagement rings are in joint fifth place with an average of 450 searches a month in the UK. While they are available in a wide variety of colours, opal engagement ring stones are typically cloudy in appearance, with an iridescent effect that results in a ‘play of colour.’ Actress and fitness icon, Jane Fonda, was famously given a black opal engagement ring by her former partner Ted Turner, which was auctioned off in 2016 for $19,200, years after the couple split.

Also in joint fifth place, with an average of 450 searches per month on average, are aquamarine engagement rings. Aquamarine gemstones are pale blue or light green and are relatively inexpensive due to their abundance in nature. American actress Jessica Biel has been seen wearing a diamond engagement ring flanked by aquamarine stones, which is her corresponding birthstone.

A spokesperson for Glamira commented on the findings:

“While diamond engagement rings remain popular and highly sought after by those ready to pop the question, it is fascinating to see that emerald now outshines diamond as the go-to choice for many.

“It seems that couples are becoming more adventurous with their gemstone choices, opting for stones that allow them to express their own individuality and style, while maintaining the element of luxury and beauty. Especially given the increased cost of living, opting for engagement rings set with a partner’s birthstone, offers a thoughtful yet often more affordable option to those shopping on a budget.”

Rank	Type of engagement ring gemstone[GU12]	Average number of monthly UK searches
1	Emerald	13,000
2=	Diamond	11,000
2=	Sapphire	11,000
3	Moissanite	4,000
4	Ruby	3,300
5=	Opal	450[GU13]
5=	Aquamarine	450
6	Morganite	200
7=	Amethyst	150
7=	Moonstone	150

Credit to: https://www.glamira.co.uk who commissioned the research and provided the above post