why not be more original than a boring round or princess diamond solitaire that everybody else has? there are other beautiful gemstones, some worth more than diamonds. why does it have to mean the guy is being cheap or can't afford a diamond when it could be you just aren't that materalistic or want to express individuality. i'm not engaged just curious.
2006-08-25 17:47:45 · 17 answers · asked by Libby 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
It boils down to tradition and marketing. All the ads on tv and elsewhere for the jewelry stores always show that a woman can never be truly happy unless she has a huge diamond, most of which the average person could never afford unless they took out a loan. Alot of people really don't want to or can't think outside the box. Society as a whole has ingrained the idea into people's heads time and again that you can't be individual because you have to follow what they dictate is right or wrong. I could be wrong but I think alot of people look at diamonds as spectacular because they are so expensive, and therefore, they can only be purchased for the most special of occasions after the guy has saved up his money for a long time while sacrificing alot of other expenses. They're expensive due to many factors that if most people had an awareness, they probably would never buy one. Alot of people are not aware of the chaos and crime revolving the mines that they are essentially supporting by buying the diamond unless it's a Polar diamond out of Canada which has its own trademark to differentiate it from the others that a jeweler would be glad to show you. The ones that are "affordable" are either incredibly tiny or they have flaws or are discolored. People as a whole, while they may think colored stones are pretty, they aren't as enthused or entranced by them so they don't feel they are appropriate as an engagement ring or worth the same sense of "honor" or pricetag that a diamond has.
I've been to my fair share of gem and jewelry shows over the years and I don't personally feel that diamonds are that pretty in looking at them up close. I have yet to see any diamond in real life that looks even remotely like the magazine ads and ring websites, and I've also been in the same room as many jewels (mostly colored) that very few people short of Donald Trump could ever afford in this lifetime. I've seen CZs that sparkle more than alot of diamonds ever could and those are virtually identical for a fraction of the price (the main reason they are even in existance). CZs are very commonly suggested as being an economical alternative to a diamond, but society as a whole shuns them and anything else because they aren't real diamonds. At those shows, other than the vendors, a large number of the people you meet there (faceting demonstrators and exhibitors and the like) aren't impressed with diamonds at all. I've seen more spectacular gems, colored and otherwise, cut by hobby faceters than what you find at most jewelry stores.
That said, do what makes you happy within your budget, whether that's with a diamond, a CZ, or a colored gemstone.
If I was given the choice, I would much rather have a pretty gemstone or a CZ anyday.
2006-08-26 13:08:49 · answer #1 · answered by Cinnamon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a great question. I first thought there was no way i was going to give my girl a diamond. I asked my mom if it would be okay to use my grandmother's old opal ring, because I think it is quite beautiful. My mom balked at the idea due to the qualities of the stone that make it less durable. So I would say that that is certainly one reason--diamonds don't scratch easily, compared to other stones. If the girl is going to wear that ring every day, you want something that is durable enough to handle it. After I looked at a few very nice diamonds, I began to see why. And it surprised me! I ended up buying a breath-takingly beautiful stone which I feel is one of the most beautiful inanimate objects I have ever seen--which makes it the perfect choice to give to the most beautiful person I have ever known.
So that's why I started out not wanting a diamond ring, but ended up with one anyway.
2006-08-26 04:59:03 · answer #2 · answered by jellyfishwich 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, a long long long time ago an engagement ring did not have to be a diamond but was a ring of precious metal. Usually they were gems that were more easy to find. Diamonds were and still difficult to mine. So if you want rubies, sapphires, emeralds, amethyst etc. Whatever you want to signify your love and commitment and engagement then pick what you want. Check out the site below for the full history.
2006-08-26 05:09:31 · answer #3 · answered by deltazeta_mary 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not everyone is going for a diamond these days! I've seen a lot of different stones being used now for engagement rings and wedding bands :) Color is definitely popular these days!
2006-08-26 00:51:16 · answer #4 · answered by MrsFrye 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't be caught dead wearing a boring diamond. My engagement ring is a beautiful round cut purple ruby/sapphire set in a traditional prong setting.
2006-08-26 04:47:26 · answer #5 · answered by maigen_obx 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all Diamonds are a girl's Best Friend. Secondly not all girls care if its Diamonds. The thing to remember is that you need to know what makes her happy and take it from there. If she likes Diamonds because of Tradition, then Diamonds it is. If not you are home bound. Know your Woman!!!!! Good Luck and thanks for asking. Aloha from Hawaii
2006-08-26 01:27:46 · answer #6 · answered by rechsteiner1986 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We don't! Some of us are foregoing rings altogether! It's all a huge marketing ploy.
Brides should research conflict diamonds and blood diamonds and THEN see if they feel the same about their engagement rings!!!
2006-08-26 13:50:12 · answer #7 · answered by Etiquette Gal 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you were offered that boring ring, I hope you would refuse the guy, and let him out of his misery with you! You don't have to be so judgemental! I like coloured gems way more than diamonds, but my man bought me a simple solitaire flanked by shoulder stones, and I adore it - because he chose it and gave it to me as a symbol of our betrothal. Diamonds came to be used because they are the hardest substance, and their endurability came to be symbolic of a lasting marriage. Sometimes symbols are good.... sometimes gemstones are meant to be worn on another finger...
2006-08-26 08:06:17 · answer #8 · answered by Lydia 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My husband when he proposed to me my engagement ring was a pink diamond not your traditional clear diamond and we been married 6 years Aug.19th..
2006-08-26 02:02:57 · answer #9 · answered by «~Mouse«~~ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have light blue topaz, not diamond. Can't stand them!
Generally most people just go with tradition.
2006-08-26 01:36:33 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋