What if you got a non-traditional engagement ring?

Question

I am just curious, I am happily engaged and I love what I have, me and my friend have a bet....

what if you were presented with a gemstone engagement ring and you were expecting a 1 carat diamond ring, or something else very particular... what would you do?

gemstone engagement rings, good or bad?

Answer 1

If a gentleman gives a colored stone ring as an engagement ring--it may mean that he is a romantic and a traditionalist because colored stones were used long before diamonds were popular. Some colored gems are more expensive than diamonds!

I was given one 39 years ago, and I accepted it with happiness. I later discovered, when I went to gemology school, that it was a rare, silver-grey star sapphire.

I know this is just a bet between you and your friend but many people don't know that diamonds weren't even popular in engagement rings until less than 100 years ago.

When the DeBeers diamond company made their big finds--they started a huge diamond marketing campaign that to this day is still successful in making people think that they have to have a diamond to mark special occasions.

Prior to that, engagement rings were practically unheard of. Gentlemen gave a special chain or necklace, or a colored stone ring--often a family heirloom-- to their betrothed to signify that they were to be wed. Rubies, emeralds and sapphires--as well as opals and garnets were used --and especially pearls.

Sometimes a bracelet with a heart shaped lock--called a betrothal bracelet, was given, and the gentleman kept the key to the lock on his watch chain. It symbolized that he held the key to her heart.

Answer 2

I would hope that my relationship with my guy was close enough so that we would've discussed what kind of ring I would want for my engagement. If he got me a gemstone ring instead of a diamond knowing that I had my heart set on a diamond ring would upset me. I'd talk to my honey and find out what he was thinking when he got the ring. Was he just trying to be cheap or did he honestly have problems affording a diamond? If it's the latter, then it's forgiveable. Love cannot be measured by the carat size of a diamond. Whatever engagement ring a man gives should be from his heart. If he really cannot afford a diamond, go for the gemstone. It's unique and there are plenty of gemstones out there that are as beautiful. Your engagement ring can be upgraded in the coming years if money is tight right now. The most important thing is the sincerity of his love, not what kind of rock sits in the engagement band.

My opinion? Gemstone engagement rings, good.

Answer 3

I think there is no right answer for this question. I think the right ring is something very personal to the couple. I am traditional, and diamond is the only way to go for me. I really love the idea of gemstone rings for others, though. It all depends on the couple. Thank God not everyone has the same exact thing! Life would be pretty dull.

Answer 4

If I were seriously contemplating marriage, I don't think I would be "testing" my future husband, or basing my estimation of his love on his ability to read my mind about what kind of engagement ring I dreamed of. An engagement ring is accepted as a symbol of mutual love and commitment; it is not a competition for bragging rights or a test. It says"I love you and I want to marry you." If I had my heart set on a particular type of ring, I can't imagine that it would be that hard to have a conversation about what my dream wedding and engagement would be like with someone I wanted to marry.

The diamond industry has made billions by convincing women that nothing but a diamond will do, when, in fact, diamond engagement rings are a fairly recent custom. The colored stones have many traditional meanings associated with them, such as sapphire for loyalty, ruby for passion, and so forth, and this symbolic language of stones is a beautiful part of giving a colored gemstone ring.

I personally don't see the point of tying up thousands of dollars in a commercially purchased diamond ring, when the money could be better used for the down payment on a house!

I am fortunate that my husband is a very talented jeweler and metalsmith, and he made our rings himself. I could have had a huge solitaire diamond, but I like what we designed together much better.

Answer 5

Depends on the sincerity of how it was given.
Perhaps it was the very best ring that the young man could afford. A true 1 caret diamond ring of good quality could be far more than he could afford. While a very nice ring using a nother gemstone can be just as beautiful and in a pricerange he can live with.
Not everybody can afford a huge diamond, if he was sincere in offering it as a token of his love for you, and a symbol of his commitment it should be the most beautiful ring you have ever seen to you even if it isn't a diamond.

Answer 6

I would have been totally happy, whatever the ring was! I just wanted the dude to ask! He did, and it turns out he chose a lovely modest solitaire with shoulder stones.
However, there are totally beautiful gemstone rings! Last year I bought myself (!) a dress ring, which is a pink topaz with small diamond shoulder stones - and thought what a lovely engagement ring it would have made!
A mature woman really doesn't "expect" a certain type or size of ring... really...

Answer 7

I think it depends on the people involved - not everyone wants a diamond, or likes them. No everyone buys into DeBeers advertising campaigns either. Princess Diana had an 18 carat blue sapphire ring - I don't think she felt slighted one bit over that ring (Charles and Camilla is a different story). Here's a whole website on non-diamond engagement ring's - http://engagementrings.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Category:Non-Diamond_Engagement_Rings
Many of these stones can be more expensive than diamonds & it as nothing to do with either money or fidelity.
To each their own!

Answer 8

i prefer gemstone. they are unique and extra special. you can choose a gemstone for a particular purpose. my engagement ring is my hubby's birthstone. i'm a romantic. how can you purchase a diamond set for thousands of dollars and it's worth is only $50 or $100? it could be wise to choose a gem which actually retains its value, unlike diamonds. perhaps before the proposal the woman can have the foresight to shop around a little and each can get an idea of the others ring style likes and dislikes.

Answer 9

Well firstly I think it's totally wrong to expect anything at all, it is not the law that is has to be a diamond, it is certainly not a legal requirement that it has to be a diamond. In fact I'd rather have anything other than a diamond, I hate them, I think they are over rated lumps of shiny stone, that's all, it's clever marketing that makes them cost so much and I'd rather have a ring that has had a bit of thought put into it rather than the "same old, same old" that everyone else has on their finger. I think it is refreshing to see other stones being used, sapphires are far more beautiful than diamonds.

Answer 10

I think its a soley "whats best for the receiver" kind of thing. I personally, for myself, wanted a diamond. But many women have gemstones and love them. I don't think its a "good or bad" thing because an engagement ring is such a personal choice kind of ring. Its not like getting a vaccuum from your husband for Christmas kind of thing, thats always bad, but an engagement ring can't be defined in such a balck and white way.