Less expensive alternatives to rubies are: spinel, garnet, red topaz and rubellite tourmaline.

Sapphires

More readily available than rubies and come in a range of colours.

Most sapphires from Thailand are considered semi-precious and a good alternative.

In the corundum family of stones, which are the hardest known substance next to diamonds. Therefore, they are versatile in settings, popularly found in rings and pendants.

Generally, sapphires from Burma are midnight blue, those from Madagascar and Sri Lanka vary greatly, and the rarest Kashmiri sapphire is a cornflower blue, due to the presence of iron and titanium.

Look for sapphires with a vibrant colour, not 'sleepy'. Sapphires should not be too dark or at night they will look black.

Emeralds

The softest of the coloured precious gemstones, so great care must be taken with them. Most emerald jewellery is best set in earrings or pendants.

While the most desirable are from Colombia, those from Zambia are also beautiful and a good alternative.

Stones range from a bluish green to a yellowish green.