Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 16:51     Subject: Does it have to be a diamond?
Anonymous wrote:My XH's fiancée wanted a conflict free stone and chose an antique opal. She (thinks she) knocked it out of the setting playing volleyball at the beach with DD last summer. She didn't even notice until they were back in MD. Now, she has a small conventional diamond.


When you say small, what's the size of "small" to you/your wife?
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 16:07     Subject: Does it have to be a diamond?
My XH's fiancée wanted a conflict free stone and chose an antique opal. She (thinks she) knocked it out of the setting playing volleyball at the beach with DD last summer. She didn't even notice until they were back in MD. Now, she has a small conventional diamond.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 16:05     Subject: Does it have to be a diamond?
I have a gold wedding ring. It has a beautiful intricate design on a raised gold disc (where traditionally a stone would have been). It is a very unusual and very stylish ring.
DH borrowed money from me and bought it - around $200.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 15:59     Subject: Does it have to be a diamond?
I have an emerald-cut sapphire engagement ring, and I love it. I had no interest in a diamond, and my husband had no interest in buying me one, so problem solved. It's custom-designed, and beautiful.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 15:30     Subject: Does it have to be a diamond?
Has anyone bought an engagement ring from Costco? How does the quality compare to others? My understanding is that it comes with a GIA or IGI certificate for the diamond. I just don't really understand when they say "I" or better for the color. Why wouldn't it just state what the color really is?

I think I am looking for a diamond that is higher than "I" but I'm not totally sure. I have seen the internet flow charts for gradation of the color scale. Doesn't help me that much.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 15:16     Subject: Does it have to be a diamond?
Anonymous wrote:I'm surprised that PP had problems with a sapphire -- they're very tough, a 9 on the Mohs scale (a measurement of gem hardness). A diamond is 10, so not much better.
Emeralds are softer, a 7.5 or so. Rubies also 9.

I would choose a sapphire or ruby. Moissanite is a manmade stone that can be beautiful, and is very tough (9.5). But some women can't stand moissanite because they think it's "fake" (I don't agree, but the important thing is what she thinks).

Really, the real question is: what does she like?


If you look at the absolute hardness of a diamond on the Mohs scale (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohs_scale_of_mineral_hardness), it's actually quite a bit harder than a sapphire. As the article mentions, "The Mohs scale is a purely ordinal scale. For example, corundum (9) is twice as hard as topaz (8), but diamond (10) is four times as hard as corundum." So a diamond at 10 is a lot harder than a sapphire at 9.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 15:11     Subject: Does it have to be a diamond?
My DH got me a Ruby surrounded in diamonds engagement ring. Loved it.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 15:05     Subject: Does it have to be a diamond?
Anonymous wrote:I'm surprised that PP had problems with a sapphire -- they're very tough, a 9 on the Mohs scale (a measurement of gem hardness). A diamond is 10, so not much better.

Emeralds are softer, a 7.5 or so. Rubies also 9.

I would choose a sapphire or ruby. Moissanite is a manmade stone that can be beautiful, and is very tough (9.5). But some women can't stand moissanite because they think it's "fake" (I don't agree, but the important thing is what she thinks).

Really, the real question is: what does she like?


+1! This is a decision the couple makes together based on preferences and budget. It's real test of compatibility and willingness to compromise on material things to make the relationship work.
It's also no big deal. It's a ring, not the relationship itself.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 15:03     Subject: Does it have to be a diamond?
I'm surprised that PP had problems with a sapphire -- they're very tough, a 9 on the Mohs scale (a measurement of gem hardness). A diamond is 10, so not much better.

Emeralds are softer, a 7.5 or so. Rubies also 9.

I would choose a sapphire or ruby. Moissanite is a manmade stone that can be beautiful, and is very tough (9.5). But some women can't stand moissanite because they think it's "fake" (I don't agree, but the important thing is what she thinks).

Really, the real question is: what does she like?
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 14:59     Subject: Does it have to be a diamond?
Anonymous wrote:So you're saying with other stones it generally can't take the wear and tear of diamonds for everyday wear? Do you regret the sapphire choice and wish you had gone for diamond instead? Any intention to replace with diamond ring in the nearby future, or no longer important?

Is the right hand ring a religious tradition, or personal preference?


Right hand is typical for most Europeans. Also, many left handed people prefer the right hand.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 14:58     Subject: Does it have to be a diamond?
Anonymous wrote:So you're saying with other stones it generally can't take the wear and tear of diamonds for everyday wear? Do you regret the sapphire choice and wish you had gone for diamond instead? Any intention to replace with diamond ring in the nearby future, or no longer important?

Is the right hand ring a religious tradition, or personal preference?


I was the pp with the sapphire ring. It's not my engagement ring. That's a diamond. I used to wear them equally though and the diamond has never chipped.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 14:57     Subject: Does it have to be a diamond?
So you're saying with other stones it generally can't take the wear and tear of diamonds for everyday wear? Do you regret the sapphire choice and wish you had gone for diamond instead? Any intention to replace with diamond ring in the nearby future, or no longer important?

Is the right hand ring a religious tradition, or personal preference?
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 14:56     Subject: Does it have to be a diamond?
Could be anything you like. I personally would stay away from emeralds and opals, as they are not very strong.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 14:54     Subject: Does it have to be a diamond?
I have a fancy 2ct sapphire. It's beautiful and much cheaper than a diamond. But it has chipped around the edges. Sapphires/emeralds/rubies just can't take wear and tear like diamonds can. I know I wanted my engagement ring to wear until I died and I can't say the same for my sapphire (which is a right hand ring)
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 14:52     Subject: Does it have to be a diamond?
What other stones have others proposed with/received? What are the alternatives that are "acceptable" prestige as diamonds without having the crazy diamond price tag?