The brilliance, durability, and overall beauty of diamonds are what make them by far the most popular choice for engagement rings. Because of this, they’re also one of the most expensive gemstones, leading many potential engagement ring purchasers to reconsider their gemstone choices. Lately, we’ve been noticing an increase in colored gemstone engagement rings. More couples are deciding to feature blue sapphires, red rubies, and green emeralds in their engagement rings. But most people still search for that diamond engagement ring look. For those of you who want the colorless diamond appearance without the hefty price, we’ve compiled a list of a few of our favorite genuine gemstone diamond alternatives.

• White sapphire. With a hardness rating just below that of a diamond, sapphires make an excellent choice for an everyday ring. The birthstone for September, sapphires have historically symbolized truth and promise keeping. They are believed to inspire peace, joy, wisdom and prosperity, as well as good health and well-being. While white sapphires are rarer than their colored counterparts, they are usually less expensive. Just be aware that white sapphires tend to be a little cloudier and more prone to scratches compared to diamonds.

• White topaz. Another gem commonly admired in its blue form is topaz. This gemstone measures in at 8 on the Mohs scale of hardness, which is just below diamonds and sapphires. White topaz is believed to purify emotions as well as actions. It is thought to be a promoter of truth and forgiveness and can be found in Brazil, the United States, Sri Lanka, and Australia. Topaz is also one of the two designated birthstones for November.

• White zircon. Not to be confused with cubic zirconia, zircon is a natural occurring gemstone that comes in a variety of different hues, including colorless. With a Mohs scale ranking of 6.5 to 7.5, zircon is a relatively hard gemstone but is also sensitive to knocks and pressure. Therefore, we usually don’t recommend setting zircon in an engagement ring if the wearer lives a very active lifestyle. White zircon can be found in Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Cambodia. One of the birthstones for December, zircon is believed to bring prosperity and promote honor and wisdom in its owner.