Some gemstones look beautiful but aren’t durable enough for engagement rings. Here are five that I avoid when designing custom engagement rings.
1. Opal
I'm obsessed with opals—the colour play is insane. But they're way too delicate for daily wear. They scratch if you look at them wrong, freak out around water and soap, and break under pressure (or temperature changes). This is why gemstone setters groan when people bring them opals or they flat out refuse to set them.
Over time, opasl can crack or cloud, which is why jewellers recommend harder gemstones like sapphire or diamond for daily wear.
2. Pearl
Pearls are elegant but unsuitable for engagement rings. They’re soft, porous, and easily damaged by perfume, sweat, and cosmetics. A pearl ring needs constant care to stay luminous. Pearls work best in pendants or earrings, not rings you wear every day.
3. Moonstone
Moonstone was a popular choice in the 2000s and 2010s with its dreamy glow it appealed to people buying into the ethereal, witchy tumblr/festival vibes of the time. Pretty it is but it’s also pretty fragile. It scuffs and dulls quickly, and the schiller (i.e. the blue shimmer) fades with daily wear. This gemstone suits pendants, not rings that see constant use.
4. Tanzanite
Tanzanite’s vivid blue-violet colour is captivating, but the stone is soft and prone to chipping. Over time, the surface loses polish. I always advise my clients that Tanzanite is best used in earrings or necklaces where it won’t be knocked around.
5. Garnet
Garnet offers deep reds and greens, but it’s not built for lifetime wear. It can scratch or chip with daily use, and its polish dulls over time. A garnet ring is better kept as an occasional or statement piece, not an engagement ring.
Durable Alternatives
For engagement rings, choose gemstones that balance beauty and hardness—sapphires, diamonds, or spinels. These stones resist scratches and maintain their brilliance for decades.
Final Thought From Dr Corky:
"Every gem tells a story, but not every story lasts. When designing engagement rings, I focus on wearability and longevity. True beauty deepens over time."