Cubic Zirconia

@Dij - Anything less??? WTF does that even mean? How is another stone "less" than a diamond? Other than the superficial value our society puts on diamonds, they aren't all they have cracked up to be in sooo many ways.

That isn't to say there is anything wrong with having a diamond, my first e-ring (from my first marriage) was a diamond and I loved it. My current ring is an orange sapphire and I love it also. I love how unique it is and that my FH got exactly what I said I wanted and loved.

Here here for sapphires @JadedRaven! I would love to see yours! Mine is pink!

I don't understand the hate on anything but diamonds. You know diamonds as a wedding ring/set is a relatively new thing, yes? Invented by deBeers as a marketing campaign? A ring, given with love, can be whatever the hell you want it to! Definitely make sure you're getting jeweler quality cz though, like Ziamond, if you go that route. Or moissanite, which I just think is so cool they used to come from meteors! But don't discount gemstone rings. Just make sure you either pick a more durable one, or expect to replace it after a few years.

@mna that's interesting about the prongs. Mine are platinum but the band is white gold. I thought it helped bring more light into the diamond like the toile settings.

My ring is actually aquamarine set among tiny diamonds with a silver band. I was way uncomfortable wearing something super expensive. I get SO many compliments on it and it's way more "me" than a diamond. Do your own thing, girl. If you have confidence, no one WHO MATTERS will give you grief about it.

My thoughts are that CZ get dull over time, and don't quite have the fire I admire, but I could not justify FH spending so much money on a diamond, which the quality can vary so much and he is clueless about stones lol. I wanted a Moissanite and I'm so thrilled! Exactly what I wanted, flawless firey sparkley stone, which FH would have spent a fortune if he had tried to get the same color/clarity/size diamond. Much rather spend that money on a house!

My FH and I went for a white sapphire. I didn't want a diamond, because I wanted a big stone. We also looked at moissanite and black diamonds. In the end it was the setting that I really fell in love with and why we chose the white sapphire.

@Gymrat - Here it is. Yours is pink? I love pink! I wanna see

You can wear a damn ring pop for all I care

That is beautiful @Jaded! Okay you showed me yours, I'll show you mine LOL.

Ooooo! Pwetty!!!!

My main diamond is Mossinate and I am perfectly okay with this. My side diamonds are real though. This is between myself and my FH.

Your ring should be a reflection of you and whatever stone you like. I don't really think any ring your FH gives with love could be tacky.

I do agree with @annakay511 though. Massive rings that some try to pass off as diamonds? I don't get it. Why you lying?!

Get what makes you happy. I never cared for diamonds and fell in love with green amethyst so that's what FH picked for me. Most people don't notice it isn't a diamond unless they look closely. As many people have said, you can always upgrade later if you want.

Personally, I'd rather have a real diamond than CZ. But I would also be happy with a real topaz, sapphire, etc. As long as it's real, I'm good. But engagement rings are personal, so what I think doesn't matter. It's what you think that matters.

The answer to "why not silver" is that silver is a very soft metal. It can bend and get crushed and deformed very easily and stones that are set in it can fall out.

I have a diamond but don't have a problem with sims like moissanite or CZ. CZ can get cloudy over time for sure. Moissanite often has greenish color to it (especially in certain lighting). If it works for youa nd your budget than that's good and there are many beautiful rings out there- some gorgeous gemstone rings are here on WW. . I do think that it's tacky when someone wears a HUGE sim and tells people it's a diamond- when clearly it isn't. Be proud of your ring- for what it is!

The metal of my rings are silver. Silver is my jam - it's all I've ever worn since I was a teenager. I have never had any issues w/ my silver jewelry. And I never take them off.

I have no issue w/ Cz or any other type of stones - I love sparkle. My favorite stone is white sapphire though. I did look at Herkimer diamonds, topaz, opals, and other non diamond stones, but in the end I found a ring I loved that was white sapphire.

If cz is ok with you go for it. Most people won't be able to tell the difference anyway. But there are other alternatives also. White topaz for instance is less expensive than a diamond but still a real gem stone. Just a thought. Or something non traditional with a colored gem stone

I dont think CZ is tacky.

Your marriage is about your love and commitment to one another not the value of your diamond.