Diamond alternative engagement rings?

[Becky9191]

Hi everyone,

This is a really weird topic that I've tried speaking with my normal friends about but its gone down like a right lead balloon!

I'd really like a big shiny engagement but don't really want my other-half to spend a fortune on a diamond ring and realistically our budget wouldn't stretch to a big ring!

I've found some second hand diamond rings but I don't like the idea of it being connected with another story (or broken marriage!) and the negative ethical mining practices do concern me.

I've started to look at lab diamonds which look brilliant but are still pretty expensive, also theres a few moissanite suppliers in the UK which look really good but I'm not sure if these will look like actual diamonds?!

I've spoken to a few friends who are really dismissive about anyone not buying diamond rings but they all have diamond rings so its difficult for me to be critical at all. A fe of them consider anything not diamond related fake which seems really unfair!

I'd love to know everyones thoughts, has anyone opted for a non diamond ring?

Bec

I also know that very sell moissanite jewellery some of which is Charles and colvard and when they have offers on it can be cheaper than buying direct, but much less choice than the c&c website

www.very.co.uk/moissanite-9ct-gold-3ct-eq-moissanite-solitaire-ring/1600102440.prd

That Moissanite on Very has pretty dire reviews though!

What sort of size are you going for, @Becky9191 ?

fedup oops! that was just the first big one I saw on the website, I didn't look at the reviews. Its Charles and Colvard though, so if that's got shit reviews it will be equally as shit directly from them!

mine is from them a couple of years ago and its been fine but obv a much smaller stone!

I've got a massive amethyst set in 18ct white gold, contemporary style. It gets loads of positive comments, huge wow factor and cost less than a grand.

fedup21, I love the Lillie ring, this is really like the Tiffany style and I can get the 1.5ct for £445 from Lily Arkwright.

lilyarkwright.com/collections/shop-all-moissanite-jewellery-collection/products/lottie-4-prong-tulip-style-9k-white-gold-brilliant-round-moissanite-solitaire?variant=29679768043587

I'm a size M which I think is pretty average, I want something big and sparkly but not too big that it looks odd if that makes sense?

Id only ever buy mossanite that I have seen in person and really inspected. I'd look at it under natural light as well as artificial light. I'm happy to have stones that have flaws in but it depends on the flaw. I have a diamond with a little black mark in but it's hidden under a prong so you can't see it even with a loupe.

This is the video of a 1ct version they have on their website:

MeTheCoolOne - Thats the bit I was really unsure about, I've booked in with them to visit their showroom next week. Not that I really know what to look for!

Some of the Tiffany ones are over 30 grand 😝 That would be a really good house deposit!

www.tiffany.co.uk/engagement/engagement-rings/tiffany-novo-round-brilliant-engagement-ring-with-a-pav-diamond-platinum-band-GRP10866/

It looks lovely in the video. Personally I would go for the 18k gold and 1k stone as it looks that bit more elegant. I have a 1.7 diamond and a .8 moissanite and I much prefer the size of the smaller stone. I do have small fingers though. Can you try before you buy?

@NewYoiker my favourite is Central Vintage Jewellery. Also look at Dear Rose With Love.

If you search for vintage jewellery on there there's loads, and also have a look on Etsy.

Have you considered a coloured diamond?

One other thought, I have a ring I wear all the time, it is a garnet because that was my mother's birth stone and it's what I bought with the £100 she left me in her will.

Some sort of link like that may shut the 'it has to be diamond' crowd up. Maybe a combination of yours and your fiance's birthstones?

It might also be worth a trip to the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter.

moissanite tests as diamonds on a diamond tester. They do look very much like diamonds and only a jeweller would be able to tell

Also to add CZ doesn't look like a diamond at all

sashh - I love the look of coloured diamonds (any coloured stone really) but would prefer a white stone for my engagement ring. Also with it being a diamond I'd image the price would be a barrier again, thats what really put me onto moissanite as a great alternative to diamonds as it looks exactly the same by all accounts and is sooo much cheaper.

ohfuckimskint, I read the CZs look more glassy and my earrings are czs and don't really sparkle anymore.

Ok, after much deliberation I've finally made my choice! I'm opting for the Lottie ring, I visited the showroom and tried on all sorts of rings, chopped and changed, I'm soooo excited!

I've had a mixed reaction from some friends, tbh I expected that as some people just can't accept I don't want to spend all that money on a diamond engagement ring. One friend said it was against tradition not to get a diamond, ridiculous!

Anyway, thanks for eveyones suggestions and help :)

I have seen some pearl rings that looked very classic, timeless and lovely

Mine is emerald and it's so pretty.

I love opals and would have loved an opal ring but the jeweller advised DP they don't wear well over time.

Omg zombie thread. How embarrassing.

I’ve just got engaged and I couldn’t choose between classic diamond or something like an emerald or sapphire, even morganite is beautiful!

Honestly, it’s what you like, not what everyone else thinks.

I ended up going classic diamond, and you’re totally right, expensive when you want something big. I have a 1ct today diamond weight and because of the diamonds on the shoulder the middle main diamond doesn’t look as big as a solitaire 1ct, but I’m in love with the ring and my now fiancé picked it out so he did good

Have you looked into Jeremy Hoye Jewellery? He does some fantastic alternative engagement rings in different gemstones.

I think the OP got engaged 6 years ago, so any more advice might be a little late 😂