How to Choose an Engagement Ring with a Color Gemstone

Spice up your engagement ring with a little color and a lot of personal pizzazz. Colored gems have long been the favored betrothal gift for royal families -- Princess Diana sported a blue sapphire and Sarah Ferguson wore a ruby -- and a must-have for the queen's crown. Lately, brilliantly hued stones have become even more of a trend, catching on with celebs (remember the boulder-size yellow diamond engagement ring Ben Affleck gave to J.Lo?) and everyday brides alike (pink diamonds are the most requested gems, with pink sapphires often serving as stand-ins for the less financially endowed). Bonus: These fiery gems are often less expensive than diamonds, so you can afford a larger colored stone.

COLOR CUES
So which hue suits you? Pick a color and intensity that match your fashion palette. Most stones occur in a range of shades, but fall in love with a color, not a gem. If a blue diamond is beyond your budget, there are at least seven different cerulean stones to consider, from a light, aquatic aquamarine to a deep blue sapphire. Pick the best gem for your budget and lifestyle. Extremely active brides-to-be will want to opt for the most durable gems, including diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and chrysoberyl. Listed below are stones by color in order of approximate cost, from lowest to highest price per carat.