Am i breaking Tradition?! Help

I have a lab created ruby. I love the idea of alternative gems and stuff because they add a unique flare

I think most people get diamonds because they plan on wearing them all the time, and diamonds are a 10 on the mohs scale. Plus, it's "tradition." Emeralds are an 8, so still a very hard stone that should stand up to wear and tear.

I think if you like emeralds, go for it! I have a blue diamond in my engagement ring. I have a second Moissanite ring with white stones for work, and I get the most compliments on that one. I also worked with a woman who had an emerald. I think for something like an engagement ring, it's whatever makes you happy!

My fiancé purchased a lab created diamond for me from Etsy shop Zhedora. The carats are big and the rings are really inexpensive because the diamonds are cheaper since they’re man made. Like, I have a 2.55 carat ring that was $400 with a wedding band too.

Lab diamonds are very commonly used. They're the exact same as a mined diamond in terms of composition. Forget tradition, do what you want!

Lab created diamonds are a fantastic alternative to conflict diamonds. But keep in mind, there are levels of quality to them! And also that many websites sell cubic zirconias under the guise of “man-made diamonds”. If you decide to go the route of lab grown, go to a jeweler! A quality lab grown diamond will be cheaper than one made by nature, but they are still pricey. For instance, when we had my ring made, we were given the option of earth grown diamond or lab grown diamonds. I have a 1 carat center stone plus a diamond halo around it. The cost for natural diamonds was $10,000. The cost for lab grown diamonds was $5,600. If people are advertising large carat lab grown diamonds for super cheap, they are likely not actually diamonds.

Also beware of moissanite being advertised as lab grown diamonds. Moissanite is NOT a diamond. Not to say it’s “bad” to have a moissanite ring - they are a super inexpensive option if money is tight. But many sellers online try to dupe people into thinking they are buying a diamond ,or a lab created diamond) when they are not buying a diamond at all

Alternatives to diamonds are really common, so I’d just go with whatever you are comfortable with.

My engagement band is going to have helenite on it. It's a jewel created from the ash of Mt. Saint Helen's, where he proposed. My wedding band is made of titanium, dinosaur bone, and meteorite.


Basically, if you want a diamond, go for it. If you don't, it's ok too. Make it whatever you want.