The leading tungsten rings retailer, Larson Jewelers, announces they now carry white sapphire engagement rings.

IRVINE, August 17, 2013 – Larson Jewelers (http://www.larsonjewelers.com), the leading destination for tungsten rings and wedding bands, has now become the leading destination for ruby engagement rings.  Their new line of engagement rings features colorful red rubies, instead of plain white diamonds.

Color gemstones, such as rubies, have recently gained in popularity for use as the center stone on engagement rings, instead of white diamonds.  These colored gemstones are perfect for adding character to engagement rings, and they are nearly as hard as diamonds are.  These stones also contain few impurities, which are often found in diamonds.

By now, couples are well aware of the issue of conflict diamonds.  Although rubies and other gemstones are not as widely affected as diamonds are, there are areas of the world where gemstones are mined under conditions that exploit workers.  This is why the rubies in Larson’s engagement rings are made from the highest quality laboratory grown rubies.  Laboratory grown rubies are exactly the same as mined rubies.  Physically, they are made of the exact same materials.  The only difference is they are not mined out of the ground, cause no environmental damage, and run no risk of coming from a country where workers are exploited.

Laboratory grown gemstones are a better value, because the quality of the stones is actually better than natural mined stones.  This is because the rubies are grown in a controlled environment, allowing engineers to make sure no impurities enter the process, and they can also make sure the right amount of color producing elements enter the stones, allowing them to produce perfectly red stones.  Natural rubies almost always have impurities that can be seen under 10 times magnification or even with the naked eye.  Although it is rare to find completely flawless diamonds, it is even rarer to find completely flawless rubies.  In fact, because a created ruby is too flawless, that is how a gemologist is able to distinguish the difference between natural and created gemstones.

Diamond prices have grown dramatically over the last decade, due to increased demand, mainly from fast growing emerging markets, like India and China.  Ten years ago, most Americans could buy a 1.0 carat diamond engagement ring of average quality for about $4,000.  Today that same engagement ring will cost about $7,000.  This means many future brides have needed to lower their expectations and are reluctantly coming to terms with the fact that they will be receiving a ring with a 0.50 carat to 0.75 carat center stone.  Using rubies or other gemstones reduces the cost, allow brides to have larger stone settings, and even add color to their engagement rings.  Many women these days want to have a glamorous looking engagement ring like the stars do, but are not able to because of the price point. “By using laboratory grown rubies, they are able to achieve the look they want, and are not limited by smaller more expensive stones.” said Vanessa LeBeau, Marketing and Merchandising Manager for Larson Jewelers.  With all these advantages, it is no wonder many famous couples, like Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, are using ruby engagement rings these days.

About LarsonJewelers.com:
LarsonJewelers.com specializes in unique wedding bands and now offers unique engagement rings. To learn more about our new line of ruby engagement rings, please visit: http://www.larsonjewelers.com/c-83-ruby-engagement-rings.aspx