Sapphire Engagement Rings
Tough enough for a ring worn every day. Hardness 9.
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Gemstone engagement rings / Aquamarine
Is an aquamarine engagement ring right for you?
Aquamarine is the pale sea-blue member of the emerald family, but it’s much cleaner and tougher than emerald. It’s one of the most practical coloured stones for an engagement ring. Here’s what to know.
PK
Parth KananiOctober 2026 · 5 min read
In short: Aquamarine is a good engagement stone if worn with some care (7.5–8 on the hardness scale). It’s usually clean inside, so judge it on colour: a deeper blue is worth more, and very pale stones can look like glass when small.
Pale sea blue
Illustration
Everyday wear
How well does aquamarine wear?
Fine in a ring, worn with some careOne of the better coloured stones for a ring. A popular engagement ring choice.
Aquamarine7.5–8 / 10 hardness
Diamond10 / 10 hardness
Hardness (Mohs scale) is resistance to scratching. Toughness, how well a stone resists chipping and cracking, matters too, which is why our verdict isn't based on hardness alone.
What to know
What jewellers don't always tell you about aquamarine
Colour is everything
Aquamarine ranges from almost colourless to a deep sea blue. Most are heated to remove a greenish tint. The stronger the blue, the higher the price, and colour shows better in bigger stones.
Cleaner than emerald
It’s the same mineral family as emerald (beryl), but aquamarines are usually clear inside. You can find large, clean stones at a fraction of the cost of sapphire.
March’s birthstone
Aquamarine is the March birthstone, which makes it a personal choice for anyone born that month.
Prices
What aquamarine engagement rings cost in the UK
Real prices, not estimates: the range across 18 UK retail listings we checked in October 2026.
From
£249
Typical
£1,351
Up to
£1,850
Gold and platinum rings only (we left out sterling silver). High-street 9ct rings run £379–£499; 18ct gold and platinum rings with a 1ct-plus stone mostly sit between £1,250 and £1,850.
For comparison: a 1ct round diamond solitaire in 18ct white gold costs about £3,900–£5,600 in Hatton Garden, or £1,650–£2,850 with a lab-grown diamond. See our Hatton Garden price guide.
Before you buy
What to ask and check
- 1Look at the colour next to something white. Very pale stones can look washed out on the hand.
- 2Choose a stone of at least 1 carat if you want the blue to show clearly.
- 3It still scratches more easily than sapphire, so a protective setting helps for daily wear.
Which metal?
White gold and platinum keep the blue looking cool and clear. Rose gold gives a softer, vintage look.
Which setting?
A diamond halo adds sparkle that a pale stone can lack. A simple solitaire suits larger, deeper-coloured stones.
Ready to look at real rings?
Coloured stones vary far more than diamonds, so see the actual stone in daylight before you commit. Many Hatton Garden jewellers will source a aquamarine for a bespoke ring. Compare them in our independent jeweller reviews, or start designing online.
Compare other gemstones
Or see every stone side by side in our gemstone engagement ring guide.
Common Questions
Is aquamarine good for an engagement ring?+
Yes, with some care. At 7.5–8 on the hardness scale it’s tougher than most coloured stones, though softer than sapphire. It’s one of the more practical alternatives to diamond.
Is aquamarine expensive?+
It costs much less per carat than sapphire, ruby or emerald, so you can have a large stone for the money. Deeper blues cost more than pale ones.
How much does an aquamarine engagement ring cost?+
Across 18 UK retail listings we checked in October 2026, aquamarine engagement rings ranged from £249 to £1,850, with a typical (median) price of £1,351. Gold and platinum rings only (we left out sterling silver). High-street 9ct rings run £379–£499; 18ct gold and platinum rings with a 1ct-plus stone mostly sit between £1,250 and £1,850.
How hard is aquamarine?+
Aquamarine is 7.5–8 on the Mohs hardness scale, where diamond is 10. Our verdict: fine in a ring, worn with some care. One of the better coloured stones for a ring. A popular engagement ring choice.