Cheaper alternatives for an engagement ring?

[Anonymous]

If you are going to wear your ring every day, you should really only get diamond, sapphire, and MAYBE ruby. Everything else is too soft for years of daily wear (will crack or scratch over time) My ring is sapphire and diamond, picked out in the diamond district in NY for a song (picked out a loose stone and had it set). Blue nile is probably your best bet for reliable and not too expensive gemstones.

Will say I agree. I had an emerald one and it cracked really badly. I loved that ring but it couldn't hold up to my rough daily wear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Engagement rings were traditionally to know that the woman was taken and belonged to a man. Unless you hold very traditional views about gender roles then I am not sure why you would get an engagement ring.

I always find it odd when someone tells me they didn't take their husband's name but they have an engagement ring. Their values only hold up until money or diamonds are involved.

As women, we have the right to define an engagement ring any way we want to. We can choose not to wear one, to wear one, etc. Same with taking husband's name. I didn't take my husband's name because I don't like it. I wear my ring because I like it. My values are that I do what I like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Engagement rings were traditionally to know that the woman was taken and belonged to a man. Unless you hold very traditional views about gender roles then I am not sure why you would get an engagement ring.

I always find it odd when someone tells me they didn't take their husband's name but they have an engagement ring. Their values only hold up until money or diamonds are involved.

As women, we have the right to define an engagement ring any way we want to. We can choose not to wear one, to wear one, etc. Same with taking husband's name. I didn't take my husband's name because I don't like it. I wear my ring because I like it. My values are that I do what I like.

My parents don't wear wedding rings, yet they are two of the most "traditional" people I've ever known. I don't think rings mean much other than want you want them to mean.

[Anonymous]

Maybe look at rings billed as "right hand rings?" they tend to have diamonds, but several/many small ones, which are cheaper than 1 larger stone. Some of the designs I've seen are really cool.

I inherited a sapphire engagement ring from a family member - sapphire in the middle, diamonds on the sides. It's really beautiful. A friend has a similar ring as her engagement ring because she likes sapphires.

[Anonymous]

PP here - just wanted to say that the wedding at Congressional Cemetery sounds wonderful! Too bad the goats will be gone - would make fun guests.

[Anonymous]

Love my sapphire engagement ring. Get lots of compliments on it too, fits my personality, and the rest of the $ went into our house. Complete win!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Engagement rings were traditionally to know that the woman was taken and belonged to a man. Unless you hold very traditional views about gender roles then I am not sure why you would get an engagement ring.

I always find it odd when someone tells me they didn't take their husband's name but they have an engagement ring. Their values only hold up until money or diamonds are involved.

Engagement rings are a tradition but diamond ring are not. They are a marketing campaign, like valentines day.

[Anonymous]

I have a diamond engagement ring but generally wear my wedding band instead. It is a gold band channel set with square rubies and diamonds. Because the gems are set into the band they are very durable and easy to wear. This could be a style you'd want to consider.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP here - just wanted to say that the wedding at Congressional Cemetery sounds wonderful! Too bad the goats will be gone - would make fun guests.

Thanks! We have friends who married there, and we fell in love with it! (It's super cheap too) lol, the goats are so cute!

[Anonymous]

Amthyst

http://www.amazon.com/ct-t-w-Green-Amethyst-White-Silver/dp/B0039K2TL6/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1IMAHPRTOR0LG&coliid=I1FGYAZGK7DM3M&psc=1


http://www.amazon.com/Sterling-Silver-Diamond-Amethyst-Engagement/dp/B00DB10CRQ/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1IMAHPRTOR0LG&coliid=IN6F7HVJN4BZF

[Anonymous]

I love vintage and antique rings. More bang for your buck and far more interesting than the standard Tiffany solitaire setting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are going to wear your ring every day, you should really only get diamond, sapphire, and MAYBE ruby. Everything else is too soft for years of daily wear (will crack or scratch over time) My ring is sapphire and diamond, picked out in the diamond district in NY for a song (picked out a loose stone and had it set). Blue nile is probably your best bet for reliable and not too expensive gemstones.

Why *maybe* ruby? Rubies and sapphires are both corundum and basically the same stone, but for the elements that give the ruby its red color. If sapphires are okay, rubies should be fine also.

[Anonymous]

I love blue topaz.