Are Diamonds Really Forever? - Diamond Alternatives

Most of my life I dreamed about the ridiculous $100,000 wedding and obnoxious engagement ring to the point that I actually added "huge engagement" ring to my list of things I wanted to accomplish during my lifetime. Of course I want to puke today at the thought of such frivolousness.

Two years ago I realized my greatly increased level of maturity when I told the Future Hubby (FH) that I didn't want a diamond, they were too expensive, and the diamond that I wanted would cost too much anyway. What I didn't say is that we were both poor and in an obscene amount of debt in which neither of us had a firm grasp on.

I was fortunate enough to have the FH even ask me in the first place what I desired. He was too afraid to get me the wrong thing because I am SO particular. Inspired by the imperial garnet and citrine butterfly pendant I saw in the display case, I decided to model my ring after that. I LOVED fall colors, plus we fell in love during the fall. So we spent an hour or so at the Zales Outlet while I flipped through a custom design book to select a setting. Surprisingly enough I chose a gold ring because I thought the colors would look best (I actually prefer silver). The best thing about it was that it cost less than $600, it was unique, and it had meaning.

Many times the FH asked me if I was sure I didn't want a diamond. A few weeks before we proposed we had an argument about it again because he asked if I wanted a diamond and I told him only if he wanted to get me one. Interestingly enough, I did find a silver antique ring that I fell in love with that cost about the same as my ring. But he didn't want to get a new ring after all. It turns out that he just wanted to make sure I was happy with the one I selected, and that I wouldn't frown upon it.

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Our second discussion revolved around what people would think. Would my family and other people think he was just being cheap and didn't think I was good enough for a diamond? Did I think I wasn't good enough for a diamond? Would people frown and look down upon it? Our conversation took a turn for the positive when I said that even if it was a diamond, then people would ask how could we afford something like that? We both decided that at the end of the day, no matter what anyone else said or thought, we both had to live with our decision--especially if it came back to bite us financially. It was our family. It was our future. It was about what we were building together. It was about building a marriage on more than just early possessions.

What is a diamond if your relationship doesn't last forever--financially, spiritually, emotionally etc? What is the point? Why should we get a diamond? Is it just for "show"? Is it just for tradition? Whatever your reason, I ask you to challenge it.

Okay. Enough of the lecture. Let's explore some diamond alternatives:

Birth stone engagement rings
Whether it's his, yours or a combo, using your birth stone servers as a double duty--the celebration of your life, and the celebration of your life together.

 

 

Antique Wedding Rings
Whether you find an actual antique ring at a pawn shop and/or estate sale or whether you simply aim for an antique look, you are many save money selecting this style.

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Unique Stones
Why not stand out from the crowd and wow them with these less common stones? (featured London Blue Topaz, Spessartite Garnet, Tanzanite and Rhodolite Garnet)