a girl's other best friends

Diamonds are practical. Well, in one way at least: their properties provide the durability needed to sustain lifelong daily wear. Engagement rings inevitable suffer a lot of wear and tear, but diamonds aren't the only pretty gem strong enough to survive.

A gem is graded on "hardness," or its ability to be scratched. It is just one factor in how a stone can sustain daily wear. Cleavage and inclusions also play a part. For example, while an emerald is hard it's commonly very included making it more likely to break.

Here are a few jewels tough enough to serve as an e-ring. You'll notice clear/white stones (diamonds or otherwise) adorning many of these, upping the 'engagement ring' factor. These are loosely ordered from highest wearability on down.

RUBY

http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/sapphires/sapphire-jewelry/c-28-sapphire-rings/p-47331-ruby-ring-j3751/

http://www.etsy.com/listing/107607692/vintage-ruby-ring-estate-art-deco-design



http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/OroSpot/6861401/victorian_style_reproduction_diamond_oval_ruby_engagement_ring_14k_gol/design/jewelry/rings/gemstone

SAPPHIRE

http://www.etsy.com/listing/174190906/engagement-ring-15-carat-blue-sapphire



http://www.etsy.com/listing/175743783/engagement-ring-38-carat-blue-sapphire


http://www.etsy.com/listing/130491043/blue-sapphire-ring-palladium-sapphire


http://www.etsy.com/listing/154607199/3-white-sapphire-engagement-rings-silver

ONYX

http://eragem.com/art-deco-reproduction-ring-w-1-37-carat-diamond-in-platinum.html


http://www.etsy.com/listing/175699553/size-8-rose-cut-round-onyx-ring-ready-to



http://www.etsy.com/listing/172290413/natural-black-onyx-engraved-cocktail

ALEXANDRITE

http://www.etsy.com/listing/157780151/sale-11mm-x-9mm-alexandrite-brilliant

SPINEL

http://www.etsy.com/listing/95840277/engagement-ring-square-cushion-rose


http://www.etsy.com/listing/87530582/black-spinel-precious-gemstone-and

TOPAZ

http://www.etsy.com/listing/159299132/over-4ct-white-topaz-engagement-ring


http://www.etsy.com/listing/123722986/natural-aaa-white-topaz-solid-14k-white

AQUAMARINE

http://www.topazery.com/antique-jewelry-item-rg3444.htm




http://www.topazery.com/antique-jewelry-item-rg1624.htm


http://www.faycullen.com/rings/800/c527r2ad.html

MORGANITE

http://www.etsy.com/au/listing/116953828/double-halo-morganite-engagement-ring



http://www.etsy.com/listing/128388784/bridal-set-14-karat-rose-gold-oval


http://www.etsy.com/listing/167609868/eloise-14kt-rose-gold-round-morganite


http://www.etsy.com/listing/176754274/14k-morganite-ring-large-emerald-cut


http://www.etsy.com/listing/163907186/heart-ring-series-vintage-style-8mm

AMETHYST

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TorkkeliJewellery


http://www.etsy.com/listing/156799257/amethyst-engagement-ring-february


http://www.etsy.com/listing/109378588/14-karat-gold-green-amethyst-solitaire

CITRINE

http://www.danawaldenbridal.com/collections/unique-engagement-rings/products/sunflower-simple-engagement-ring

ROSE QUARTZ

http://www.etsy.com/listing/88075408/14k-rose-gold-ring-rose-quartz-custom

WHITE QUARTZ

http://www.etsy.com/listing/175323555/bezel-set-natural-white-quartz-ring-14k

PEARL

http://www.etsy.com/listing/167638762/modern-pearl-ring-round-white-natural


http://www.etsy.com/listing/156600440/14k-solid-white-gold-pearl-ring-mls019



http://www.etsy.com/listing/125423741/evlin-w-engagement-ring-wedding-ring



http://www.etsy.com/shop/JulietAndOliver?ref=exp_listing