Tip #13– Considering Gemstone Hardness:

Another characteristic of gemstones that should be considered when selecting the right one for a gemstone engagement ring is the hardness of the gem. The Moh’s scale is a hardness scale that characterizes the scratch resistance of a gemstone by the ability of that gemstone to scratch another gemstone. All gemstones are given a rating on a scale from 1 to 10. 10 is the hardest and only a diamond has a rating of 10. Believe it or not, the only thing that can scratch a diamond is another diamond.

Beautiful example of a unheated/untreated sapphire engagement ring set from MyJewelrySource

Sapphires and rubies are the hardest gemstones with a Moh’s scale rating of 9 and so they do make excellent choices for an engagement ring, particularly if she has a very active lifestyle. The next hardest gemstones are blue topaz and aquamarine. Emeralds rate a 7.5 to 8 on the scale and are notably softer than their precious counterparts, ruby and sapphire. Some of the most popular gemstones are rated between a 6.5 and 7.5 on the Moh’s scale. These include amethyst, blue zircon, citrine, garnet, iolite, peridot, tanzanite and tourmaline. If you are concerned about the hardness (or lack thereof) of a gemstone that you would like in an engagement ring, there are a couple of things you can do to compensate for that hardness. Choosing rings with bezel or semi bezel set center stones is a great option for softer stones. The bezel helps to protect the stone from sudden impact and scratches. You can also look for a gemstone engagement ring with a lower profile. Rings that sit closer to the finger and rings that do not sit up high will also generally be a better choice for a softer gemstone.

Example of Amethyst Engagement Ring set.