Yes, we have all heard that a diamond is a woman’s best friend and getting a diamond engagement ring is the dream of many a young woman. However, it is also common knowledge that diamonds are some of the rarest gemstones with an unrivaled hardness, which makes it so expensive that many people have to drain their savings to buy diamond jewelry. Of course, many agree that the most significant piece of jewelry that must have a diamond is an engagement or wedding ring. But times are changing and women are now open to more rare and interesting options in jewelery. Here are some reasons why a sapphire can be a great option for a wedding or engagement ring. 1090b_2_1   A wide range of colors Unlike diamonds, sapphires come in a range of vivid colors that make them interesting  and a natural choice for those looking for something different. All sapphires are basically entirely aluminum oxide and in the purest form is colorless. The colorful hues to sapphire gemstones come from slight traces of impurities like iron, chromium, titanium, copper, and so on. Most people think of sapphires as dark blue gems, but they also come in dazzling yellow, pink, orange, red and green. Imagine a hot pink sapphire wedding ring for an adventurous bride! However, if you want a traditional white or colorless gem for a wedding band, then you can opt for a white sapphire. They are extremely hard The hardness of gemstones is measured using a Mohs scale; while the diamond is rated as 10 and is the hardest mineral, sapphire ranks 9, which is very impressive. This high degree of hardness makes sapphire perfect for wedding rings and engagement rings that are meant to be worn at all times. Sapphires are less-expensive  The diamond industry is highly controlled to keep the prices high even though diamonds are not as rare as people think they are. In fact, top quality Sapphires are much rarer. However, sapphires are so much cheaper than diamonds and they offer better value for money. A 3mm round diamond at wholesale price costs $90 whereas a 3mm white round sapphire costs on $10. They do not chip easily Diamonds may be very hard, but they are not very resistant to chipping because of their crystal structure. Sapphires are more chip-resistant and are tougher, meaning that they chip far less than diamonds, which is quite remarkable. Hip and modern Diamonds are being seen as as an orthodox choice by modern brides. Also, the unethical practices involved with the diamond industry makes sapphires so much more desirable. Plus, Prince William gave Kate Middleton his mother, Princess Diana’s, sapphire wedding ring and now to-be brides are raving about sapphires. Sapphires are also popularly considered to be gemstones of  wisdom, and the pink sapphire in particular is believed to stimulate emotions of love and forgiveness, making it an apt choice for brides.