Diamond vs. gemstone vs. cubic zirconia

The only reason I have a diamond engagement ring is because it's an heirloom from my grandmother. Aside from being ridiculous cost wise diamonds also can come from sketchy mines, and mining for the precious stones and metals isn't always good for environment either. I told my fiance I wanted one of my three heirloom rings from my grandmother's or something from an antique store so it'd be recycled and more unique. My grandmother passed away a few months before we got engaged and told us she had a feeling we were going to get married and to spend money on a honeymoon instead of a ring, so we listened!
For my wedding band my fiance is having a custom ring built with an engineered opal and ethically sourced antler inlays from a jeweler I've been following for years. Having something custom designed with atypical materials was so much more meaningful for him, and only buying one pair of rings is economical. I'd say if it's on your finger then do what you want you to look at!
And yours is so pretty, I love blue stones.

My ering is a moisanite. I actually love it, and didn't want a diamond for a variety of reasons.

My wedding band is vintage (pre loved) it is diamond and Sapphire. I just loved it. I will also wear it on my right hand, so you can see how much I care about tradition...haha.

I love morganite and it’s whatever makes you happy. We both work jobs in which jewelry is a no no. I wear my engagement ring maybe once a week. I plan on getting the least expensive ring option for our bands since we won’t wear them often who’s going to know what they cost or are made of.

I honestly think each couple should do what works for them. My FH and I personally went with lab created diamonds. We have strong moral issues with the mined diamond industry so we didn't want to put our money there. I love my ring. No one can even tell it is lab created vs mined diamonds. The only difference is he spent $350 vs $3500.

My bling

Literally almost talked my fiance into a cz. He ended up getting a diamond ring but it was on sale! I do not care what it is, as long as it was truly from the heart. I also don't believe in spending a whole bunch because 3 stones have already had to be replaced since we got engaged just a year ago lol so Im so glad he didnt spend a fortune. Its a beauty though!

Everybody’s ring is so unique and beautiful!!!

I didn’t want FH to spend a lot of money but I did want diamonds. I first thought I wanted sapphires but I hated all the ones I tried on. FH got my set on clearance so he didn’t spend a ton. And I love it!
Here it is with the wedding bands after I got them sized.

View Quoted Comment I agree. It seems though that you’re trying to argue your point and nobody is arguing.

View Quoted Comment Gorgeous! ❤️

This is mine with my two wedding bands. I specifically asked for not a diamond! A diamond would have cost 5k+ just for the DIAMOND. When people ask me why the stone, I am not afraid to say because it was CHEAPER! Plus it is more unique 😊

I work in jewelry and I tell my guests all the time that tradition means nothing. If you have a blue diamond, first off, incorporating blue into your bridal set at all, stands for everlasting love, so that’s pretty cute. If you’re debating about gemstone versus diamond versus cubic zirconia... no you won’t be able to tell the difference unless you’re a diamontologist. Be sure that the gemstone isn’t a softer gemstone, like opal or morganite (they scratch easy and dull over time) but try sapphire because sapphire comes in every color and has a very tough durability for it to be worn on your hand! Cubic zirconias are great but very fragile and can be crushed if hit with too much pressure, also some places won’t work on your ring if you have a CZ in the center. Don’t focus on the cost because really the jewelry you choose is personal to your story! Hope this helped 🙂

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Thank you. I do too. I love blue and it has sentimental value for us.

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Thanks. I wasn't really looking for advice or debating anything. Just seeing what other people thought. I am happy with my teeny blue diamond. I just am having a horrible time finding a wedding ring I like with it.

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That is absolutely gorgeous!

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That's so pretty. I love the blue!

My ring cost 280 from sams club! The little diamonds are real but my center stone is a mossenite or however you spell it lol. I love my ring and I brag about how little we spent.

This is my ring!

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They are both gorgeous!

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Haha! I am the same with good deals.

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Very pretty!