We’ve all heard the adage that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but is there any truth to it? Many women covet a genuine diamond, to be sure, but more and more couples these days are bucking traditional engagement rings to pursue something more unique and more affordable. You may not realize it, but the sky is truly the limit when it comes to what type of engagement ring you want to present to your soon-to-be fiancé. You are not bound by societal rules that you must give a diamond, and for most people, earth-mined diamonds are out of their budget. Many people also have moral concerns about how natural diamonds are mined. If you fall in line with any of the above, take a look at some stunning alternative engagement ring ideas below.
Skipping It All Together
Many of us know couples that simply wear solid gold wedding bands. This is an excellent idea for minimalist couples, and it also has a classic feel. Long before the boom of capitalism and so many people achieving middle- to upper-class wealth, couples often forewent the traditional engagement ring and wore bands after the wedding ceremony. There’s also something incredibly romantic about being betrothed without the whole world knowing it by the ring on “that” finger.
Pearl Engagement Rings
Speaking of older times, in the 1800s and 1900s, pearls were often the main “stone” in an engagement ring. Pearls symbolize loyalty, purity, and wisdom gained through experience. What does a marriage produce, if not insight through experience? After all, you are vowing to stay with one another through sickness and health, richer and poorer, until death do you part. Pearls have come back in fashion as an engagement ring trend, and their beautiful, dainty appearance is undeniable. However, consider that pearls need more TLC than diamonds or other tougher stones.
Lab-Grown Diamonds
If you know that your significant other would prefer a diamond and you don’t have the budget or have a moral issue with earth-mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are your best bet. They are stunning and look the same as a traditional diamond, and they are just as hard on the MOHs scale – meaning your lab-grown diamond will last a lifetime. With more and more couples going this route, many retailers offer this option, like Charles & Colvard, Kobelli, and other high-quality retailers. Shop around and find a style, such as a stunning yellow lab-grown diamond, and price point that works best for you.
Morganite & Moissanite
Another option even more affordable than lab-grown diamonds is Moissanite and Morganite. While Moissanite engagement rings look like diamonds, Morganite has a pink or peachy hue. If your future fiancé loves the color pink or is set on a rose gold ring setting, Morganite will perfectly complement rose gold. Moissanite is easy to set in any traditional ring style and looks beautiful. These stones sparkle like traditional diamonds but cost significantly less than earth-mined or lab-grown diamonds.
Birthstone Rings
With the exception of April – whose birthstone is a diamond – getting your significant other an engagement ring with their birthstone is an untraditional and beautiful idea. In fact, some of these stones can be more expensive than diamonds, like emeralds. Emeralds, in particular, are trending right now as engagement stones, so if your partner’s birthday is in May, you could stay in vogue and honor their birth month. Many birthstones make gorgeous engagement stones, including rubies, sapphires, and citrine. The less precious the stone is, the more fragile it is, so keep that in mind when shopping.
Shopping for an engagement ring can be stressful and overwhelming for many. Consider price, size, color, and other factors. You also want to choose a ring you know your partner will fall in love with as soon as they see it. Use the list of alternative engagement ring ideas above as a starting point to help you find the ring of your dreams. Congratulations, and remember, this is just the beginning! Happy shopping!