The engagement ring landscape is experiencing a vibrant transformation. While classic diamonds will always be loved, 2025 has ushered in an era where coloured gemstones are claiming their rightful place in the spotlight. From deep sapphire blues to romantic pink diamonds, we’re taking a deep dive into the world and romance of coloured gemstones.
The Coloured Gemstone Revolution
Several factors drive this colourful revolution we’re seeing across fine jewellery and specifically bridal jewellery. Couples are prioritising personalisation and rings that tell their unique stories rather than following conventional templates as they might have done in the past.
This growing desire has fuelled a surge in popularity for coloured diamonds. Make no mistake though, coloured gemstones have long been the centre-stone of choice for celebrities; Princess Diana's sapphire engagement ring, Jennifer Lopez’s vast collection of rare coloured diamonds or Blake Lively’s mammoth pink diamond engagement ring.
What Are the Colours of the 12 Birthstones?
Birthstones are a meaningful way to incorporate colour into jewellery. For couples this could be incorporating each other, or both of their birthstones into a ring. Those who are committed to incorporating lab-grown gemstones into their rings but still want to add a touch of colour can focus on the birth stone colour, rather than the stone itself. Lab-grown fancy-coloured diamonds and sapphires have made it possible for everyone to enjoy the beauty of these stones.
January is a garnet, a deep red stone. Our Scarlett red sapphires have a beautiful vibrant hue, similar to garnet, or ruby (the July birthstone). The February birthstone is amethyst, a purple gemstone which can range from light lilac to deep purple. Our Royal Purple sapphire would look stunning set onto a gold band for an engagement ring with a difference.
The March gemstone, aquamarine, has a pale blue hue. Think about sailing out into the middle of the ocean, the clear waters with the sun dancing on the surface – that’s an aquamarine. Our Sky Blue Sapphire is ideal for getting the look in a lab-grown stone. And remember, December’s birthstones (Turquoise and Tanzanite) are also blue. April’s gemstone is diamond, and of course at Cullen Jewellery we have a whole range of coloured and white lab grown diamonds to choose from.
May and August are the months of the green stones. May is Emerald, and August is Peridot. Both stones are generally available in a range of green hues. Our Clover Green moissanite is the typical vibrant hue of green you might expect from an emerald, while our Seafoam moissanite has more of a lighter hue.
September babies are certainly spoiled. This month is represented by a sapphire, which is available in many colours. Our range of lab grown sapphires makes it easy to find a gemstone to suit your needs.
June is Pearl and October is Opal. While these whitish stones might not be ideal for a sparkly engagement ring due to their softness, they can certainly be incorporated into a pendant or earrings to be worn on the special day in commemoration. November’s birthstones are topaz and citrine, both are indeed unusual gemstone colours to incorporate into engagement rings, though even the popularity in these gemstones is increasing.
Coloured Lab-grown Moissanite and Sapphires
Lab-grown sapphires feature a clarity only seen in the very best of mined gems. At Cullen Jewellery we have a whole variety of colours, blues, purples, greens, pinks – so you can choose what takes your fancy. Our lab-grown sapphires offer several advantages over natural stones, including superior clarity with fewer inclusions.
Coloured moissanite engagement rings are increasingly popular. While most moissanite is near-colourless to colourless, it's now available in various hues for unique engagement ring looks. Moissanite offers exceptional brilliance and superior hardness (9.25 on the Mohs scale), and of course, affordable pricing compared to diamonds.
The Future of Coloured Gemstones
As we look ahead, several trends suggest coloured gemstones will continue gaining market share in the engagement ring industry. Advancing lab-grown technology will make more colours available at accessible price points.
Whether you're drawn to the romantic blush of pink lab-grown diamonds, the royal sophistication of blue sapphires or the brilliant fire of coloured moissanite, we can guide you through every decision with expertise and care. Schedule in a virtual (or in-person) consultation to discuss your vision and explore custom design possibilities.
