Quintessential Quartz Engagement Rings

Recently, I was with my friend Kayla and we went to the crystal shop. A stone that she introduced me to, that I’ve been thinking about since is Picasso Jasper.

That of course, led me down the rabbit hole of finding jewelry that had a similar color palette of dark and light with a stark sense of contrast. The engagement trend that no one is talking about, but frankly everyone should be talking about is rutilated quartz. 

Rutilated quartz contains needle-like inclusions that can look black, golden, or copper-like. While often in the gem world, inclusions mean that the price of the stone plummets…with this stone the inverse is true. The more beautiful the inclusions, the higher the stone can sell for. With a score of 7 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, it’s hard enough for daily wear, and also the stone is super unique.

I want to talk about price versus value with this stone as well. The naysayers can say, “oh, he got you a quartz ring? I guess he was too cheap for a diamond.” And let me give an emphatic no to the haters. While rutilated quartz itself may be considered a bargain stone, expert craftsmanship from a luxury jeweler is nothing to sniff at. Also speaking of haters, rutilated quartz is known for having properties of blocking negative energy, so really you’re killing two birds with one stone. So do you want a typical boring diamond so your ring can look “expensive” and your insipid relatives can approve of it or do you want the kind of stone that would make your little emo heart flutter? It’s a no brainer. 

These are my favorite picks for rutilated quartz rings that are oozing with alternative engagement ring goodness.

Bea Halo Ring with Black Rutilated Quartz – Anna Sheffield, $3800

I am obsessed with this ring. There, I said it. This ring reminds me deeply of my teenage self: Tim Burton-esque with a penchant for alternative rock and garage punk bands. And just because this ring reminds me of my emo screamo days doesn’t mean that it’s not refined, elegant, and fit for a modern-day bride. I mean who wouldn’t want to wear a Jackson Pollock painting on their finger? And I love the halo of white diamonds, it gives the ring just enough glamour without crossing the line into gaudy and high profile. This is a “say yes” ring for sure and any woman with a taste for unique and artistic jewelry would swoon over this ring. 

Florence Rutilated Quartz Ring – PeneliBelle, $1443

I have one word for this treat of a ring. Steampunk. How can you go wrong with gorgeous geometric shapes and a bit of mystery? I absolutely love the labyrinth of inclusions in the stone. The black rhodium plating makes it edgy and adds to the one of a kind antique factor. This ring makes me think of 1920’s flappers wearing fringe dresses with feather headdresses. It looks like it was yanked right out of the art deco era and given a home in modernity. Wearing a ring like this toes the line between the sophisticated styles of the past and the current pulse of the jewelry industry. The “Florence” ring tips its hat to the rings that came before it and boldly sets the stage for new rings to come. 

Petite Crossover Ring – Natalie Marie, $1876

When the abstract becomes tangible that’s when you know your design has achieved complete symbiosis. I love that the little scribbles and darting lines in the quartz are mirrored with the design of the band. I like the delicacy of the four claw setting and how the yellow gold makes a bold statement. This ring is decadent, delicate, and damn beautiful. Also to take this in another direction, the circular interwoven band reminds me of Jupiter’s rings. This ring is giving me strong outer space vibes but not in a Star Trek way. In a this-stone-looks-like-it-has-a-whole-universe-in-it kind of way. This ring is Alice in Wonderland wacky with the added bonus of being wallet-friendly. What’s not to love?

Let me know in the comments below, have I made you a believer? Could you commit to a rutilated quartz engagement ring or are you a die-hard diamond fan?