Next to the diamond, blue sapphire is one of the most well-known engagement ring stones. Blue sapphire represents truth, honesty and faithfulness and is the reason we say, “true blue.” These are only a few reasons why a blue sapphire engagement ring is the perfect “something blue” for a bride to wear on her wedding day.

Blue sapphire's long history extends to the famous blue sapphire engagement ring currently worn by Kate Middleton. But it started long before, in the medieval era, when Pope Innocent III instituted a mandatory waiting period before the marriage ceremony—known today as the engagement period. Some of the first engagement rings ever given were blue sapphire. It was believed that a sapphire’s color would change or fade during the engagement period if worn by an impure or untruthful person. Since then, blue sapphires have been well-loved by the royal British family. Princess Diana’s iconic engagement ring made blue sapphires a more popular choice among couples today.

It’s no wonder why blue sapphires are a famous alternative to the diamond for engagement rings. Especially taking into account the following connotations:

• It is the September birthstone and the zodiac gem for Taurus, Virgo and Libra. Brides born in these months often choose blue sapphire for their personal connection to the stone.
• Blue sapphires connote beauty and inner peace as well.
• They are a lovely selection for brides looking to tell their love story in color while still maintaining a semi-traditional appearance.

The gem of Venus, the ancient Roman goddess of love and beauty, emerald is a stunning gem to signify unity, balance and everlasting love in an engagement ring. Emerald is said to ensure loyalty, security and “domestic bliss” for married couples. The gem’s symbolic and spiritual meaning of growth, life and success has dubbed it “The Stone of Successful Love.”

Emeralds are the gems of goddesses. The ancient Egyptians believed emeralds were sacred symbols of fertility and immortality. For this reason, Cleopatra showed off her wealth and power with the lavish use of these beauties. Strong, beautiful and stylish women have relied on emeralds to shine in the spotlight including Elizabeth Taylor, Angelina Jolie and Beyoncé. It’s a timelessly fashionable gem that will unleash the goddess in any bride.

Not only are emeralds fit for the runway, but they have a profound romantic history as an engagement ring stone:

• King Edward VIII proposed to American socialite Wallis Simpson with a massive 19.77-carat emerald and abdicated the throne to marry her.
• John F. Kennedy gave First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy a stunning Art Deco emerald engagement ring. This trend-setting ring influenced more brides to choose this jewel.
• More recently, Halle Berry flaunted her gorgeous emerald engagement ring in 2012.

Carrying the color of spring, emerald is also the May birthstone. For spiritual brides, emerald is the zodiac gem for Taurus, Gemini and Cancer. Women with connections to these months often choose emerald as a timeless symbol of their love. The environmentally conscious bride will also appreciate emerald as a symbol of nature along with its lush romantic history.

Aqua blue spinel flatters any bride with its refreshing blue hue of a clear sky or the Caribbean Sea. It compliments warm and cool colors making it a beautiful engagement ring you can wear confidently with any outfit. Chatham lab-grown aqua blue spinels have excellent clarity and lovely blue hues that rival the better-known aquamarine gemstone.

For those marrying their best friends, aqua blue spinel is a symbol of your trusting, harmonious and pure love. This color of spinel is nearly impossible to find in nature, but Chatham grows beautiful aqua blue spinel with better hues than any found under the earth. This rare beauty is often mistaken for the more common aquamarine since they both have the peaceful blue of flowing water.

• One of the most famous engagement rings with this aqua color was designed by Justin Timberlake for his bride, Jessica Biel.
• A gem of royalty, aquamarine was a favorite gemstone of Queen Elizabeth II, gracing one of her largest tiaras. Her matching necklace and earrings were given to her by the Brazilian president as a coronation gift.
• Prince Harry continued the tradition of giving his bride an aqua blue gem when he gave his mother’s aquamarine ring to Meghan Markle on their wedding day.

A stunning aqua blue spinel engagement ring is an exquisite “something blue” for the wedding day. As the August birthstone, it’s a beautiful representation of a bride or her groom. Aqua blue spinel looks just as pretty set in white, yellow or rose gold as an expression of a peaceful and free-spirited bride.