Blue Nile’s Best Alternatives to Diamond Engagement Rings, According to SPY Editors

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Engagement ring shopping is a daunting task. It’s a huge investment, and one of the most important gifts anyone gives anyone.

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But there’s one gemstone that dominates the world of intended matrimony: the diamond. It’s the great differentiator between engagement jewelry and regular jewelry, and can help narrow down your search if your partner does, in fact, want a diamond. If not, things get more complicated.

It may feel too cliché, too shiny, too expected — whatever the reason, if your partner is not digging the standard pressure-spawned stone there are plenty of alternatives on Blue Nile.

For a site known for its diamonds, Blue Nile is impressively stocked with alternatives to diamond engagement rings. They’ve got simple gold, silver, and platinum bands, birthstone jewelry, unique gemstone rings, and plenty of lab-grown diamonds if the hesitation is ethical rather than aesthetic.

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They’re also currently offering major discounts up to 30% on top-selling items of jewelry across their site, including elegant diamond drop earrings, gold pendants, and herringbone chains. Here’s a top pick from SPY editors for celebrating a special occasion, engagement or otherwise.

Floating Ruby And Diamond Heart Shaped Pendant
Floating Ruby And Diamond Heart Shaped Pendant

Floating Ruby And Diamond Heart Shaped Pendant In 14k White Gold

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It’s hard to not communicate love, and commitment, with something heart-shaped. This necklace uses both rubies and diamonds in the elegant floating pendant. The setting is 14 karat white gold and it’s available with blue sapphires as well.


Alternatives to diamond engagement rings have always existed, but they’re especially in vogue in the digital age. Everyone is looking for ways to distinguish their engagement from others, to be different. After all, technically, you can get engaged with anything.

It turns out, in the world of engagement jewelry, different is uniquely beautiful. Check out SPY Editors’ top picks for diamond engagement ring alternatives below, all available on Blue Nile.


The Best Alternatives to Diamond Engagement Rings


Gemstone Engagement Rings

Blue Nile has an entire section dedicated to unique gemstone rings that are a sleek, beautiful way to mark an important milestone. They have sapphire, emerald, blue topaz, aquamarine, amethyst, and multi-stone options with and without diamond adornments. 
Each ring can be made with any gemstone in their inventory, and there’s plenty of choice when it comes to a stone’s size, color, and shape. SPY’s resident engagement ring-less editors picked out both options below, but the entire library is worth looking through.

Cushion London Blue Topaz and Aquamarine Trillion Ring
Cushion London Blue Topaz and Aquamarine Trillion Ring

Cushion London Blue Topaz and Aquamarine Trillion Ring

This gorgeous ring contains both aquamarine and topaz rings, and the band can be made with 14 karat white gold, yellow gold, or rose gold.


Oval Opal and Swiss Blue Topaz Halo Ring
Oval Opal and Swiss Blue Topaz Halo Ring

Oval Opal and Swiss Blue Topaz Halo Ring

This ring incorporates diamonds in the design, but the opal stone contains a multitude of iridescent colors surrounded by a ring of blue topaz gems for extra shine.




Gold, Platinum, or Titanium Wedding Bands

Traditionally, wedding bands are exchanged during the ceremony and the bride’s sits next to her engagement ring, but who says you need both? A simple, elegant wedding band will mark the occasion perfectly, and no one needs a giant rock sticking out from their knuckle to make their commitment clear to others.

Blue Nile has a wide variety of gold and platinum bands for men and women, as well as titanium bands for men.

Bella Vaughan Grandeur Rope Wedding Ring
Bella Vaughan Grandeur Rope Wedding Ring

Bella Vaughan Grandeur Rope Wedding Ring

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Price: $3,080.00

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This regal, sophisticated yellow gold wedding ring has an elevated design that’s simple, yet unique, and more than enough to mark an engagement and a marriage. It can also be made with white gold.




Birthstone Engagement Rings

One’s birthstone is a little like one’s hometown sports team. You can technically root for anyone, just like you can wear any gemstone, but it’s more fun when it’s yours.

Blue Nile has an extensive library of birthstone jewelry, including necklaces, rings, earrings, and bracelets. Proposing with your partner’s birthstone, or a diamond ring with their birthstone incorporated, is a thoughtful and personalized way to shake up the standard design.

Emerald Cut Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Emerald Cut Sapphire and Diamond Ring

Emerald Cut Sapphire and Diamond Ring

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Price: $7,000

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This ring includes a large, elegant dark blue sapphire in the middle with two complimentary, smaller diamonds on either side for an alternative ring that maintains a traditional component. The platinum band is designed thicker than usual to hold up the sizable stones but comes in all the standard ring sizes.


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