Ruby, sapphire and gemstone engagement rings

A coloured centre stone makes a ring personal and often costs less than a diamond. Not every gem survives daily wear though. Here's how they compare, and our favourite Segal gemstone ring.

By The Loupe & Band editors. Updated September 24, 2026. Our picks come from Segal's published specs, prices and policies. How we choose

Which gems hold up to daily wear

Stone	Hardness (Mohs)	Daily wear	Look
Ruby	9	Excellent	Deep red, strong presence
Sapphire	9	Excellent	Classic royal blue
Emerald	7.5–8	Good with care; can chip	Vivid green, usually included
Morganite	7.5–8	Good; can look cloudy if dirty	Soft peach-pink
Tanzanite	6–6.5	Fragile; better for occasional wear	Violet-blue

If the ring will be worn every day, ruby and sapphire are the safe bets. Emerald and morganite are fine with a protective setting and some care. Tanzanite is beautiful but soft, so we'd save it for a cocktail ring.

Lowest price, most colour

Leaves All Around Ruby Ring – Sydney 2ct No. 26

A 2ct ruby with jewelled leaves climbing both sides of the band, modelled on laurel wreaths. The cheapest ring we track and one of the most distinctive.

Shape: Round
Centre stone: Ruby
Metal shown: Rose gold
Setting: Leaves along the band

Why we like it

Lowest price on this site
2ct centre gives real presence
Ruby is very hard (9 on the Mohs scale) and wears well

Worth knowing

Leaves around the band make stacking tricky
Check whether your chosen option is a natural or lab-created ruby

Best for: Someone who wants colour and a story, not a diamond.

See it at Segal Jewelry

$2,594~~$3,705~~on sale, checked September 24, 2026

Browse the full range at Segal

Ruby engagement ringsNatural ruby centres.
Blue sapphire engagement ringsNatural blue sapphire.
Emerald gemstone engagement ringsGreen emerald centres.
Morganite engagement ringsSoft peach-pink stones.
Tanzanite engagement ringsViolet-blue stones.
Nature-inspired engagement ringsBranches, leaves and vines.

Questions people ask

What is the most durable coloured stone?

Ruby and sapphire, both varieties of corundum at 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, just below diamond. They are the safest coloured choice for daily wear.

Are emerald engagement rings a bad idea?

Not a bad idea, but a careful one. Emeralds are hard but brittle and usually contain inclusions, so they can chip. A protective setting and some care with knocks go a long way.

Lab-created or natural gemstone?

Lab-created rubies, sapphires and emeralds are chemically the same as natural ones, cleaner, and much cheaper. Natural stones carry rarity and usually hold value better.