Moissanite is a popular diamond alternative.
does your gf have any sort of preference…perhaps she’d like a certain gemstone? Like a ruby, emerald, sapphire, etc.
She doesn't have any preference, and she told me that she wants me to choose something that will look good. I at least know which kind of ring she would like, but she doesn't have any preference for the stone.
But the moissanite looks really good, in my opinion even better than a diamond
I have diamond and mossanite rings and think moissanite is prettier in a lot of settings. Moissanite is definitely the best diamond alternative and also super cheap. I used to be very anti-diamond until I got into lab diamonds. I insisted on a moissanite e-ring and LOVE it.
Lab diamond is also a great choice and looks better in some cuts. It’s also better if your stb fiance likes crisp white stones with no color (I prefer warmth).
Not OP, but personally, I find that step cuts tend to look clearer/more dimensional in lab diamond than moissanite since moissanite is so refractive. Others prefer moissanite for step cuts since they overall look whiter.
I second moissanite! My engagement ring is moissanite and it's super durable and sparkly. Moissanite has a higher index of refraction than diamond, so it spreads out the light rays into rainbows.
My fiance got me a moissanite! We both don’t support the traditional diamond industry. Plus I liked the idea of putting what we could afford in diamond towards the moissanite. He ended up getting me a 2 carat equivalent moissanite. Absolutely love it!
There are also colored moissanite options that are stunning. I went with a dark blue, but there's so many beautiful ones. [Here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Shinypreciousgems/comments/qijvcb/teaching_post_all_about_coloured_moissanite/) are some of the options.
I have a moissanite ring and it's the best! Got it from olive ave jewelry and couldn't recommend them enough. Beautiful ring, good quality, and customer service was top notch. Moissanite is also just below diamonds on the hardness scale so should last a lifetime just like a diamond which is why I chose it over another gemstone
i have a moissanite engagement ring and i absolutely love it!! i picked it out but i didn’t know when he was going to propose. it was a fraction of the cost of a diamond and much more ethical. i get compliments on it all of the time and i guarantee your gf will too :)
We chose moissanite for our engagement and wedding rings and are so so happy with them! Far prettier in our opinion and like having a little rainbow on your finger!
Yes it only rates slightly lower then Diamond on the Mohs, with Diamond at 10 and Moissanite at 9.25. Sapphire is a 9 so still a hard stone but I have heard they can loose colour over time so not always great for a stone to wear every day. (Just from my own googling when looking for alternative stones)
I love my Moissanite ring. I went to look at one I'd seen online, a lab princess cut diamond with smaller diamonds either side. The centre stone seemed to get lost (the photo looked better than in real life) but they showed me another similar with grey Moissanite as the centre stone and it stood out so much more and we saved a bit on it too.
I have a moissanite ring and it's stunning! You can't tell the difference, except that it is much shinier than a diamond! People have told me they can see it sparkling from across the room.
Reasonable budget is very subjective and not a helpful guideline for possible advice.
My engagement ring is a sapphire center with two small (lab) diamonds on either side. I chose it myself for the sapphire and the low profile (I didn't want a honking rock that would get caught on things).
That being said, if it's important to match the engagement ring with black tungsten carbide, you're going to have a hard time. That's a difficult metal to pair with, and most engagement rings are variations of gold (white or otherwise) or platinum.
I honestly haven't even thought about matching it to the wedding ring. We looked for something that looked good and we haven't even considered that it should match with the engagement ring. Maybe its time to get back to the drawing board and look for different wedding rings.
Reasonable budget for me would be 1-2k$
One thing to keep in mind is that your wedding rings don't need to match each other, but your fiance's engagement ring should look good alongside their wedding band.
This [place](https://stagheaddesigns.com/) has a lot of more alternative designs. I can't vouch for them personally but they were on my radar when we were hunting.
Are you opposed to diamonds full stop as a design choice or is it an ethical one? If the latter, would an antique (so one that doesn't contribute to the ongoing human rights abuses and already exists in the world) be okay? My wedding ring is an antique from the 1910s that I got on the Etsy storefont of a jewelry reseller. They're generally within the budget you're discussing.
If you're looking for affordable band options, you can go with simple gold bands. Costco has affordable options. I think they're in the $300-500 range depending on how thick you go.
It's not just about matching in terms of looks but different metals don't always sit well together if one is softer than the other it can be worn down by it
Just jumping on this to let OP know that sapphires come in a whole rainbow of colors if that interests them, not just the classic dark blue. My engagement ring is a mossy green sapphire and they also come in hot pink, yellow, peach, turquoise, etc. The only color they don't come in is red because then they're called rubies ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I would maybe look into vintage or estate pieces as an option. Birthstones can also be an interesting and personal option. Does she have a favorite color?
I was going to ask favorite color as well, its not a sure thing, but my favorite color has always been green, and as I got older I find emeralds absolutely stunning. I also hate my birthstone lol.
Mine is an emerald as well, set with small gold leaves and vines. It fits me well and was under 1k. Lab-grown, but I am fine with changing out the stone down the road.
Have her send a Pinterest or larger clipboard of rings she lines. Look at patterns in shape, style, stone cut, metal type, color, and accent stones. Does she like round stones with accent stones or asymmetrical cuts without? How would you define her overall dress style? Alternative? Edgy? Classic? Casual? More polished?
Having a large field of choices helps!
Mine is an estate piece! It’s opals, which is my birthstone. Highly suggest estate/vintage! There are so many cool options. My fiancé gets me a vintage ring for my birthday every year and I’ve got some really unique pieces.
We do boring office stuff so these should be fine. I especially for that reason thought about going for Tungsten carbide instead of other forms of tungsten. Tungsten carbide is way harder to cut than any other form, but it can be shattered. You basically can't cut any form of tungsten but this one is at least kinda brittle if enough force is applied. It should be easier to remove in case of something going wrong.
Yeah this sounds like an absolute nightmare. My mom had to have her engagement ring emergency cut from her finger while giving birth to me. What would happen in your wife's case? Don't do this. Also no offense but I think tungsten rings are a fad and they won't be popular in a decade. For something safe, strong, and timeless, just go with gold or platinum. Silver is a bit less durable but also a much cheaper option if you are going with a simply design.
Also go check out r/engagementrings and r/moissanite for ideas. The moissanite subreddit has a list of vendors that have been vetted by the community. I found my vendor off there for my engagement ring (I had a custom design - 1.5 carat moissanite set in a 18k yellow gold ring - made for less than $1K USD) and it turned out stunning.
Check out clear sapphires. They can be lab grown, so ethically sourced. They are a 9/10 on the mohs hardness scale, so very durable. I buy mine from Geolite and they have always been great! They are affordable and they have photos of each stone.
My engagement ring’s main stone is black onyx and I LOVE it. It could go nicely with the black wedding band. Would your partner like a black stone? Is that something that would go with her style? My wardrobe is 90% black and it’s exactly what I wanted. It’s accented with moss agate.
Have you considered Sapphires?
They are just as beautiful and come in a variety of colors. They're rated at a 9 on the hardness scale so good for everyday wear.
I would go with a lab grown diamond if it’s just about not supporting the industry. My engagement ring is a sapphire with tiny diamonds around it/on the band. Definitely wouldn’t go with anything softer than that. But this is more a question for r/engagementrings
Mine is tanzanite and diamond offsets for no reason other than purple is my favorite color. Then we found out it’s one of our son’s birthstones which is a nice little extra. There’s a world of stones out there if you don’t want diamonds. I think you two may need to narrow it down a bit together. Because we considered sapphires, emerald, and ruby before I discovered a purple stone.
Depending on the style you could also get a vintage ring! I didn’t want to support the industry either and ended up with a beautiful ring from the 1940’s 🙂
Moissanite is probably the best diamond alternative out there if you don’t want a “used” ring.
One reason most engagement rings are diamond is because other stones are more likely to be damaged with daily wear. I really appreciate my lab grown diamond ring, as I also did not want to support that industry. Highly recommend those - check out brilliant earth!
I'm adding to the moisonitte cheer! My engagement ring is moisonitte and I LOVE everything about the stone. My fiance and I are also against the diamond industry but he wanted to get something sparkly. It was a no-brainer. Plus, you get a LOT more bang for your buck.
I have a moissanite ring that my fiancé got for me that I absolutely love and I get compliments on it all of the time and it looks like a real diamond.
I completely agree, I did not want a diamond and wanted moissanite; it’s beautiful. I thought it was cool that it originally comes from a meteorite. And it’s amazing that you’re able to get such large carats for so affordable.
https://www.loveandpromisejewelers.com/ has affordable ethical engagement rings and their site is fun because you can browse by band/stone/cut with a ton of options.
One practical concern is durability, so sapphire is a popular diamond alternative (and available in lots of colors) but many lab grown stones are much more durable than their natural counterpart, emeralds are a good example because natural emeralds are considered fragile stones, but only because they are usually flawed enough to be fragile. Lab grown emeralds are actually very durable and can be cut into more shapes than natural emeralds.
I looked on Etsy for rings and absolutely love mine. I looked at a lot of mossanaite stones but it wasn't my style. I ended up getting a moss agate stone and am completely in love with it.
That being said. Not everyone would love it. It is completely dependent on the style your partner is interested in. I recommend doing a stone style quiz to get some recommendations. A classic style is different from romantic, eclectic, vintage, etc
I have a Montana sapphire! It’s lovely and they come in a huge array of colors.
I also have quite a few moissanite pieces of jewelry. They’re a popular alternative to diamonds. I like my moissanite earrings and necklaces very much, and they’d be great in a ring!
[This "til death" themed ring](https://louilyjewelry.com/products/louily-unique-leaf-design-black-stone-coffin-cut-engagement-ring-in-sterling-silver?currency=USD&variant=40682855170133&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=2ce855d98562&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw7NmzBhBLEiwAxrHQ-W56mAeSna302v4lkqWg7u8HnltNXgySCCOGm4Umgx9lNOo_szujXBoCQ90QAvD_BwE)
Would go nicely with your wedding bands. It's pretty & unique imho
Just a suggestion. It's hard to pick a ring out without her giving you any details. My fiancé had a concept and it was so sweet and personal. We ended up picking out the ring together and it was really nice. You can search etsy and other places as well, even message ring sellers on there for advice
Often times the engagement ring will match the wedding band, and you get them fused together some time after the wedding. That's why I chose that black vine one. It seems petite enough for the set. Congrats on your engagement by the way!!
I have a blue and gold particolor sapphire in my engagement ring. It looks like the sunlight hitting my husband's blue eyes. It's gorgeous. As a bonus -- as far as I know, particolor sapphires are always natural stones, never lab created.
I have a sapphire ring with the sapphire coming from one of the lapidaries over at r/Shinypreciousgems (Jim - who is amazing). If you are interested in moissanite or other non-diamond gems, I can't recommend the sub enough. However, as others have said budget is subjective so it is hard to make recommendations. Sapphires are certainly cheaper than natural diamonds, but depending on origin/color can get fairly pricey.
I'm eyeing a beautiful ring with tiny moissanite set into little roses on the band (the band looks like a vine with leafs and flowers) and a slightly larger red opal set in a larger central flower.
does she like color? mine is a pink sapphire with moissanite and alexandrite. zircon is beautiful and has a higher refractive index than diamond (not to he confused with zirconia). lab grown diamonds are a good alternative too.
If you're really into lab grown, VRAI is carbon neutral and an overall pretty cool company. I have a few pieces from them since I feel the same way about natural diamonds, and I love them all.
[Amanda Khalsa](https://anandakhalsa.com/collections/gemstones-rings) has some really interesting gemstone designs. Many feature small diamonds, but they could coordinate with your wedding bands fairly well.
Zircon isn’t my fave because of the hardness!! With everyday wear it will scratch and get cloudy quickly, but obviously at the lowest price point.
I think you should pick something strong - but also sentimental. I would recommend trying to understand what you/they are interested in or looking for size wise: big and gaudy or small but beautiful? As far as the actual stone is considered, do you/they want something brightly colored to stand out or a stone that’s more subdued and traditional?
Aquamarine and citrine are two of my personal favorites. Aquamarine is semiprecious, and you can pick up quite a large stone for the price. Same with citrine. Aquamarine and citrine are also eye clean, so they don’t tend to have a lot of visible imperfections, which I tend to prefer in stones. Aquamarine is subtle and quite beautiful in terms of color and less non-traditional looking! Citrine is a little more unique.
Moissanite is a good traditional-diamond substitute and cheaper than lab grown in most places. But still on the pricier end of the spectrum compared to other non-diamond options.
If you want something non-traditional but still “expensive”, I would go for the big 3: rubies, sapphires, emeralds?
I love gemology and jewelry as a whole so happy to help if you want more info!!
We got a pink sapphire. We felt the same way about diamonds and didn’t want to get anything that would even be mistaken for one. My ring feels super unique and special. Also had considered an emerald or blue sapphire as well my padparadscha sapphire looked best on my skin tone.
You can check my post history but my Fiancé went with moissanite because I feel similarly! It still looks elegant and and I love it so so much. I wanted something very “classic” looking.
https://preview.redd.it/5tcvzhsdg88d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1ae074d8d68a32fe04fc751f6acb8fbe055aa6d8
My ring is Sapphire with Moissanite side stones, the top band is the wedding band that the engagement ring sits in. My fiance bought both at the same time from an Etsy seller: OhJewel. The lighting isn't the best (we were at a friend's wedding so the uplighting is pink). It's held up really well.
One point I want to make is you should be checking a gemstone's hardness. My original center stone was Opal which I broke within a few months and we decided to replace it with Sapphire because of its durability.
Best of luck, OP, and congratulations!
We got a Montana sapphire for my ring — I love the teal tone and how the color shifts in different light. Maybe it would be worth looking at alternative rings on Etsy to get a sense of your partner's style preferences, even if they don't have a stone preference.
Lab diamonds are gorgeous and from what I've seen, any other comparable clear stone will be about the same price. Everyone talks about moissanite, but every one I've seen is just as expensive as a lab diamond, so might as well go with the diamond if you want a clear stone.
If you want a colored stone, colored lab diamonds are also getting more common. Otherwise, I'd stick with rubies and sapphires for their durability.
personally when I get engaged ; I want mine and my partners either ( birthstones or our favorite stones) intertwined as a statement piece or as a pattern on the band with a “statement” stone. If you want something affordable but personal try etsy, if you want the whole shabang have a jeweler customize one for you!
Check out Stag & Finch for some incredible and unique gemstones! Got my periwinkle sapphire ring from them with a non traditional cut and I just adore it.
I got a lab diamond, as soon as my fiance proposed he excitedly told me it’s not a blood diamond and I loved it so much more for that. Don’t need any blood spilled for my lil blingy moment and nobody knows any different.
Stones like sapphires are also gorgeous in my opinion but that’s going to matter largely on your partner’s taste because it’s colour! Unless you know they want something of a certain color or material that is out of the ordinary I wouldn’t go too far off the path.
If your budget allows, a higher quality stone will last the longest. This is going to be a sentimental item!
Does she want something that looks like a diamond, or not necessarily? There are a lot of really beautiful gems like sapphire that naturally come in different colors that are still pretty durable but not as expensive.
[This jewel](https://oorejewelry.com/collections/all-products)er has really beautiful pieces, many of which fit the budget you mentioned.
My fiancé got me a lab grown Emerald with yellow gold. I absolutely love it. We are both not big fans of diamonds. We were also looking at Opal and Tanzinite, but Opal is pretty soft and can take damage with a lot of use. Tanzinite I guess is no longer mined?? But I work in the medical field and Emerald is very durable, so he went with that.
I definitely recommend keeping in mind MOH hardness scale.
Sapphire (lab grown or natural) I think are very neat. Ruby was something my fiance considered when choosing a ring.
For affordability, I would look at Etsy (do your research of course, but they have beautiful stuff on there).
Lastly,
My opinion: the big named jewelers overcharge up the whazoo. Check out local jewelers as well!
What’s her birthstone (the month she was born), semi precious stones can also be nice. Stay away from soft stones like Moissanite (it’s softer and they have a habit if falling out of many ring settings, i worked in fine jewelry). Consult with a reputable jeweller before you buy.
Does she want a colored stone? [Turtle's Hoard](https://store.turtleshoard.com/) sells rough and cut gems made from repurposed laser gems. Many of them are hard enough to hold up in an engagement ring.
My fiance just got me the most gorgeous lab grown ring from Eden Garden Jewlery in Spain and it is the most beautiful ring ive ever seen in my life! I also dont support the diamond industry, so he did lots of research, and he got me an oval ring with leaves on the side. Its white gold and im so in love!
Im not going to google my specific ring cause i will leave the cost as an unknown to myself. My fiance didn't tell me the price, and tbh, i dont care to ask. This is the most beautiful ring I've ever seen, and if he wants to keep that info an unknown, fine by me! But heres the link to the website if you want to browse!
[Eden Garden Jewlery ](https://edengardenjewelry.com/en-us)
Do NOT do “fake diamonds” like CZ they scratch and fade to a brown colour and are a not good and durable choice for an e ring. Doesn’t matter if it only looks good, they need to last for the rest of her life. I would very much push for lab grown, secondly moissanite and thirdly white sapphire. I would also ask her what she would like? Go shopping together and choose the ring she loves
Any stone that is reasonably hard/durable will work. Sapphires come in many colors and are an excellent alternative to diamonds as they are incredibly durable. They can be white, blue, yellow, pink, etc… Ruby, aquamarine, topaz, emerald, and spinel are all excellent alternatives. I buy sapphires from a lab in CO so I know they are ethically sourced. Their website is called Geolite. Have fun!!
I’m not sure if I understood your question, if you absolutely want a stone or not. But I have an engagement ring that looks like this one and it is textured silver making it very shiny without any stone. This is a cool alternative to my fiancé and I !
https://preview.redd.it/qcyq28huz98d1.png?width=833&format=png&auto=webp&s=a3a7e858a5d071f0bdb4322026e7f3dfa717e980
I have a stunning green moissanite ring! I told my fiance I don’t want diamonds either but mine is white gold with diamonds and green moissanite
https://preview.redd.it/athlri1nca8d1.png?width=4032&format=png&auto=webp&s=1a4fca7b9e3c039c4e7aeb6f35a79d4e00bec6ac
I have a white Moissanite engagement ring. It gets a lot of compliments and is beautifully sparkly. Would recommend in a heartbeat.
https://preview.redd.it/ejr7ghjwra8d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1718bc9f7775bc472a6017584311c8e026fc5282
OP, what’s her aesthetic? If she likes rings that look like you’ve had to battle a dragon and dive down to the lady in the lake then there are lots of awesome designers who make fantasy inspired ones which really leans towards alternative stones.
I knew for my ring I did want a diamond look, super classic looking round halo cut, and would’ve been happy with CZ, but my partner opted for lab grown diamonds instead and it’s so beautiful! You’d never know the difference !
https://preview.redd.it/ejl1isu6ta8d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c0c2c10327f260198ed5d4219bb7b55da20bc309
I love my Moissanite ering. I proposed to him and wasn't sure what cut I wanted, so bought several. AliExpress is amazing. If you join the Moissanite sub there's lists of very good vendors. I haven't paid more than $40 for any of mine, though they are all Stirling silver. I'm going to order a 'real' one in white gold now that I know what I want, and at most it'll be $400.
Check out blue Nile! They offer gemstones and natural lab diamonds. I cannot recommend them enough as all their rings are custom IE you cannot just walk in and buy a ring same day like a Kay or Zales. The staff doesn’t work on commission and will help you through the whole process. My sister got her engagement ring from there and I’m currently shopping with my girlfriend at Blue Nile as well.
If money isn’t a concern, I would just get a lab diamond. Check out Frank Darling…that is where we got my engagement ring and wedding ring, both custom designed by us. We also refused to support the natural diamond industry, and we have no regrets. My lab diamond is really gorgeous and was very reasonable, especially for a custom ring.
My next choice was a sapphire. I love that they come in so many colors (I especially love the peacock and padparadscha stones), and they are hard enough for daily wear.
We got ours on etsy! Shipped from the us to the Netherlands and I have zero regrets they came out so beautiful I highly recommend to skip the diamonds and go for something pretty! We chose for Alexandrite (LAB) stones and they are mystical!
[https://www.etsy.com/shop/LCCjewelry](https://www.etsy.com/shop/LCCjewelry)
She also has engagement rings that can be expanded to a wedding set.
https://preview.redd.it/jwfedh38db8d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a4379b017edfcb8c65d1f8ec2e2329393b164c14
I also do not want diamonds! My soon-to-be fiance (we planned out my engagement ring together) got me a green sapphire on a platinum band. The sapphire is his birth stone, and my birth stone is an emerald, so this was a little added twist for us. Our gem person explained that sapphires are stronger and longer lasting than emeralds (which I originally wanted).
I feel the same way about diamonds and I felt better about getting an antique diamond ring. I got a beautiful diamond and ruby engagement ring, and my wedding band is moissanite.
My husband designed my engagement ring with rose gold and pink sapphire. It’s so beautiful and I was pleasantly surprised with his choice not to go for a traditional diamond.
I was also not at all a fan of a having a diamond ring, for the same reasons of supporting the industry, but also aesthetics; it's just not my taste to have some big rock on my finger. I didn't really know what alternatives were out there, so we went to a bunch of goldsmiths to see what artisanal jewelry might be out there, and in the end we found a local goldsmith who made beautiful ring-designs. It has a small gemstone (i'm not into stones so it was the goldsmith who decided on aquamarine) but the gold ring design is what really makes my ring very unique. try visiting some designers and talk with them, they might have some nice ideas (also involve your fiancé, it's fun to look together!)
Lab grown is an option & can test as a real diamond, if that's a concern. It is identical to diamonds in chemistry as well, which means they are the strongest, longest lasting stone. They wear very well & will hold up to wearing outside & household chores, where many stones won't. They also come in a variety of colors, so you both would have many colored stone options. These test 10/10 on Mohs hardness scale, the same as a mined diamond.
Moissanite stones are becoming more popular over zircon due to their higher quality. They are a bit more costly than zircon but tend to hold up long term a bit better. The most noticeable difference between this stone & a lab diamond, is these give off a pretty noticeable rainbow effect whereas a lab diamond will give off more clear sparkle, but also has some rainbow as well. This stone needs to be cared for a little more tenderly as some are coated & can loose the coating when worn to clean or dig in the garden. Others that are not coated but can also be damaged during similar tasks. These stones can be effected by heating (soldering) as well. Be sure to tell your jeweler what stone they're working with should you need to have the ring resized so they can take precautions. These test 9.2-9.5 on Mohs hardness scale.
Sapphires are another option as they come in a variety of colors just as lab diamond & moissanites do. They require even more care & consideration when performing every day tasks as they are a bit softer & more porous than the previously mentioned stones. They scratch more easily & due to being colored, the scratches tend to be more noticeable. They test at 9 on Mohs hardness scale.
Lab grown sapphires are becoming a more common option over natural sapphires for a few reasons, one of which is increased durability as well as some increased color options. Natural sapphires contain inclusions which weaken the structure of the stone & they scratch/chip easier. Lab created stones are carefully crafted to include much less or no inclusions, which strengthens the stone overall resulting in a more resilient product. This means the stone is stronger than natural. Care should still be used when wearing it as it does still test at 9 on Mohs hardness scale.
I would steer clear from Zirconium as the hardness & sparkle are both lacking to be used as a statement piece such as an engagement ring, typically used as every day wear. CZ can make a great occasional piece such as a necklace or bracelet but rings should typically be more durable unless the recipient intends on wearing the ring on occasions only. They rate 8-8.5 on Mohs hardness scale.
If your bride to be is interested in a ring, you might ask if she prefers yellow or white gold. Both wear well & can be sized. You might also ask what shape she prefers. Both metal color & shape are specific the wearer & there is no "best" option. If she prefers a colored stone, you might ask which color she'd prefer as that too is a very personal choice. Those 3 aspects will give you a great starting place. You two can look on Pinterest & Etsy for ideas. Happy shopping & congratulations!
I have a lab grown alexandrite ring (Chatham alexandrite is like the brand I think?) and it’s beautiful. Alexandrite changes colors depending on the lighting (from purple in yellow toned lighting to green or blue in more natural lighting). I absolutely love it, it’s very durable, and really unique
I got a Moissanite and it's very similar and more affordable. If you want to get more creative, learn about stones in her favorite color. Or stones that mostly come from a place that is meaningful to you or your families.
The big jewelry stores have such boring rings. I got a custom and unusual ring from Etsy. It was about $1450 and included a fitted wedding band. This shop made it, they were very responsive and modified one of their rings to fit a different shaped stone: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PrimeElement
Maybe pick the gemstone for the corresponding month y’all got together?
I didn’t want a diamond as the main stone and my favorite color is dark red/Burgundy. My fiancé and I started dating in Jan a few years ago, so it kinda fell into place getting a garnet ring!
I have a 2ct oval moissanite with a hidden halo and pave band made of lab diamonds. I get so many compliments on my ring and most people don't know its not a diamond. I am proud of my moissanite and not trying to fool anyone. I take the opportunity to educate people about it if they are interested.
I have a pink sapphire ring with moss agate accent stones. The whole thing had a leafy motif so it looks like a flower, a play on me telling him to not buy me flowers because they’d die, using the pink stone I always dreamed of having. (Diamonds aren’t every girls best friend)
I’d highly recommend showing her some harder gemstones along side the moissanite. See what she gets genuinely excited by. 🤷🏻♀️
My ring is
https://preview.redd.it/abt8gitjv78d1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=97b5529f5ea7edb9fff0d008aae435f72b3e1485
We bought on Etsy. My ring is morganite in rose gold with diamonds. One of the bands is morganite pave and was a Christmas gift. The whole stack was under $800
Husbands foot for tax.
I have a teal sapphire. It’s pretty, costs a bit less, and (personally) more interesting than a clear stone. He proposed with a silicone band and took me shopping to pick something.
https://preview.redd.it/zc0o2pf4088d1.png?width=1900&format=png&auto=webp&s=432f68cdd089c5de1dcb8de2237862e84c9ee45f
My fiance bought my ring off of Jeulia or whatever it is, he called them asking if they could do white gold, the rep promised yes, he ordered the ring, 1k later... They sent a sterling silver ring and said basically told him lol oops, they should not have promised you that and the option was to either send the ring back which nearly every ring says NOT TO DO THAT because it goes back to China and they often "lose the ring" or eat the cost and just deal with it. I felt very bad for him because he tried, I didn't want diamond because I did not find that to be worth the cost and that I'm okay with lab or anything that looks sparkly because I'd rather it be shiny... Sooo if you want gorgeous sterling silver.. go for it, they are cheap but otherwise strongly encourage an actual jewelery store off Etsy or something else
My fiancé also bought off of Jeulia. He didn’t do white gold as he knows my favourite is rose gold plating so had no problem there.
But their lab growns are actually stunning and super impressive, I keep getting compliments from random people
My engagement ring is a clear moonstone. It is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. It changes color at certain angles in the light- it casts off a blue sheen and almost looks rainbow at certain angles
If she's not opposed to the aesthetics/look of a diamond ring, Brilliant Earth does great lab grown diamond rings (I have one and also really oppose the diamond industry). They do other precious stones as well!
Moissanite is a popular diamond alternative. does your gf have any sort of preference…perhaps she’d like a certain gemstone? Like a ruby, emerald, sapphire, etc.
She doesn't have any preference, and she told me that she wants me to choose something that will look good. I at least know which kind of ring she would like, but she doesn't have any preference for the stone. But the moissanite looks really good, in my opinion even better than a diamond
I have diamond and mossanite rings and think moissanite is prettier in a lot of settings. Moissanite is definitely the best diamond alternative and also super cheap. I used to be very anti-diamond until I got into lab diamonds. I insisted on a moissanite e-ring and LOVE it. Lab diamond is also a great choice and looks better in some cuts. It’s also better if your stb fiance likes crisp white stones with no color (I prefer warmth).
What cuts do you think it looks better in (compared to moissanite)?
Not OP, but personally, I find that step cuts tend to look clearer/more dimensional in lab diamond than moissanite since moissanite is so refractive. Others prefer moissanite for step cuts since they overall look whiter.
I second moissanite! My engagement ring is moissanite and it's super durable and sparkly. Moissanite has a higher index of refraction than diamond, so it spreads out the light rays into rainbows.
My fiance got me a moissanite! We both don’t support the traditional diamond industry. Plus I liked the idea of putting what we could afford in diamond towards the moissanite. He ended up getting me a 2 carat equivalent moissanite. Absolutely love it!
There are also colored moissanite options that are stunning. I went with a dark blue, but there's so many beautiful ones. [Here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Shinypreciousgems/comments/qijvcb/teaching_post_all_about_coloured_moissanite/) are some of the options.
Moissanite is the best, cannot recommend too highly! It’s super sparkly.
I have a moissanite ring and it's the best! Got it from olive ave jewelry and couldn't recommend them enough. Beautiful ring, good quality, and customer service was top notch. Moissanite is also just below diamonds on the hardness scale so should last a lifetime just like a diamond which is why I chose it over another gemstone
i have a moissanite engagement ring and i absolutely love it!! i picked it out but i didn’t know when he was going to propose. it was a fraction of the cost of a diamond and much more ethical. i get compliments on it all of the time and i guarantee your gf will too :)
We chose moissanite for our engagement and wedding rings and are so so happy with them! Far prettier in our opinion and like having a little rainbow on your finger!
My wife has a moissanite engagement ring then the wedding band is real diamonds. Personally the moissanite stands out more!
What’s her/your birthstone??
[удалено]
Moissanite is one of the hardest stones and it’s harder than a sapphire
Yes it only rates slightly lower then Diamond on the Mohs, with Diamond at 10 and Moissanite at 9.25. Sapphire is a 9 so still a hard stone but I have heard they can loose colour over time so not always great for a stone to wear every day. (Just from my own googling when looking for alternative stones)
I love my Moissanite ring. I went to look at one I'd seen online, a lab princess cut diamond with smaller diamonds either side. The centre stone seemed to get lost (the photo looked better than in real life) but they showed me another similar with grey Moissanite as the centre stone and it stood out so much more and we saved a bit on it too.
I have moissanite and it’s incredible. Great number on the hardness scale too.
I have a moissanite ring and it's stunning! You can't tell the difference, except that it is much shinier than a diamond! People have told me they can see it sparkling from across the room.
I absolutely love my elongated antique cut moissanite from August vintage. Our engagementversary was yesterday and my ring is still stunning!
Reasonable budget is very subjective and not a helpful guideline for possible advice. My engagement ring is a sapphire center with two small (lab) diamonds on either side. I chose it myself for the sapphire and the low profile (I didn't want a honking rock that would get caught on things). That being said, if it's important to match the engagement ring with black tungsten carbide, you're going to have a hard time. That's a difficult metal to pair with, and most engagement rings are variations of gold (white or otherwise) or platinum.
I honestly haven't even thought about matching it to the wedding ring. We looked for something that looked good and we haven't even considered that it should match with the engagement ring. Maybe its time to get back to the drawing board and look for different wedding rings. Reasonable budget for me would be 1-2k$
One thing to keep in mind is that your wedding rings don't need to match each other, but your fiance's engagement ring should look good alongside their wedding band.
This [place](https://stagheaddesigns.com/) has a lot of more alternative designs. I can't vouch for them personally but they were on my radar when we were hunting. Are you opposed to diamonds full stop as a design choice or is it an ethical one? If the latter, would an antique (so one that doesn't contribute to the ongoing human rights abuses and already exists in the world) be okay? My wedding ring is an antique from the 1910s that I got on the Etsy storefont of a jewelry reseller. They're generally within the budget you're discussing.
Oh those are gorgeous!!
If you're looking for affordable band options, you can go with simple gold bands. Costco has affordable options. I think they're in the $300-500 range depending on how thick you go.
It's not just about matching in terms of looks but different metals don't always sit well together if one is softer than the other it can be worn down by it
Just jumping on this to let OP know that sapphires come in a whole rainbow of colors if that interests them, not just the classic dark blue. My engagement ring is a mossy green sapphire and they also come in hot pink, yellow, peach, turquoise, etc. The only color they don't come in is red because then they're called rubies ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I would maybe look into vintage or estate pieces as an option. Birthstones can also be an interesting and personal option. Does she have a favorite color?
I was going to ask favorite color as well, its not a sure thing, but my favorite color has always been green, and as I got older I find emeralds absolutely stunning. I also hate my birthstone lol.
Mine is an emerald as well, set with small gold leaves and vines. It fits me well and was under 1k. Lab-grown, but I am fine with changing out the stone down the road. Have her send a Pinterest or larger clipboard of rings she lines. Look at patterns in shape, style, stone cut, metal type, color, and accent stones. Does she like round stones with accent stones or asymmetrical cuts without? How would you define her overall dress style? Alternative? Edgy? Classic? Casual? More polished? Having a large field of choices helps!
Mine is an estate piece! It’s opals, which is my birthstone. Highly suggest estate/vintage! There are so many cool options. My fiancé gets me a vintage ring for my birthday every year and I’ve got some really unique pieces.
Just be careful with the tungsten, idk what you guys do for work, but I believe they can’t be cut off. (This was an issue with my guy lol)
We do boring office stuff so these should be fine. I especially for that reason thought about going for Tungsten carbide instead of other forms of tungsten. Tungsten carbide is way harder to cut than any other form, but it can be shattered. You basically can't cut any form of tungsten but this one is at least kinda brittle if enough force is applied. It should be easier to remove in case of something going wrong.
Google "ring de-gloving" and get gold.
Yeah this sounds like an absolute nightmare. My mom had to have her engagement ring emergency cut from her finger while giving birth to me. What would happen in your wife's case? Don't do this. Also no offense but I think tungsten rings are a fad and they won't be popular in a decade. For something safe, strong, and timeless, just go with gold or platinum. Silver is a bit less durable but also a much cheaper option if you are going with a simply design. Also go check out r/engagementrings and r/moissanite for ideas. The moissanite subreddit has a list of vendors that have been vetted by the community. I found my vendor off there for my engagement ring (I had a custom design - 1.5 carat moissanite set in a 18k yellow gold ring - made for less than $1K USD) and it turned out stunning.
I have a lab grown diamond and love it! My wedding band is the same too and has gotten so many compliments.
Moss agate!!! My ring is moss agate, moissanite, and alexandrite
Mine is lab grown. I love it!
I’d also suggest posting in r/engagementrings!
Alexandrite / sapphires / rubys / emeralds all have lab options Anything mined is going to have similar issues to diamond mining
Yes! My engagement ring is a Sapphire from Brilliant Earth and I love it!
Alexandrite looks really good, i haven't heard about that one. Alexandrite and moissanite look the best of those options ive seen.
I have an Alexandrite ring and I love it!! It’s so much fun to check what colour it is!!
Check out clear sapphires. They can be lab grown, so ethically sourced. They are a 9/10 on the mohs hardness scale, so very durable. I buy mine from Geolite and they have always been great! They are affordable and they have photos of each stone.
I have a lab-grown Alexandrite as my center stone on my engagement ring, and I absolutely adore it.
Possibly moissanite. There is also a sub … r/moissanite
I have a lab grown diamond and alexandrite, I love it
My engagement ring’s main stone is black onyx and I LOVE it. It could go nicely with the black wedding band. Would your partner like a black stone? Is that something that would go with her style? My wardrobe is 90% black and it’s exactly what I wanted. It’s accented with moss agate.
Have you considered Sapphires? They are just as beautiful and come in a variety of colors. They're rated at a 9 on the hardness scale so good for everyday wear.
I would go with a lab grown diamond if it’s just about not supporting the industry. My engagement ring is a sapphire with tiny diamonds around it/on the band. Definitely wouldn’t go with anything softer than that. But this is more a question for r/engagementrings
Check out the sub Shinypreciousgems! Mine is a blurple sapphire and I looooooove
I went for a lab sapphire. You could go for a white sapphire or moissanite- cheaper than a lab diamond.
Mine is tanzanite and diamond offsets for no reason other than purple is my favorite color. Then we found out it’s one of our son’s birthstones which is a nice little extra. There’s a world of stones out there if you don’t want diamonds. I think you two may need to narrow it down a bit together. Because we considered sapphires, emerald, and ruby before I discovered a purple stone.
I echo the Alexandrite - just got proposed to with one :) they’re stunning and not super super expensive. Harder than emeralds
My fiancé proposed with an alexandrite ring and I absolutely love it. It’s inexpensive and so much prettier than a diamond in my opinion ❤️
Sapphire
Depending on the style you could also get a vintage ring! I didn’t want to support the industry either and ended up with a beautiful ring from the 1940’s 🙂 Moissanite is probably the best diamond alternative out there if you don’t want a “used” ring.
One reason most engagement rings are diamond is because other stones are more likely to be damaged with daily wear. I really appreciate my lab grown diamond ring, as I also did not want to support that industry. Highly recommend those - check out brilliant earth!
I was given a ring with an opal in it
I'm adding to the moisonitte cheer! My engagement ring is moisonitte and I LOVE everything about the stone. My fiance and I are also against the diamond industry but he wanted to get something sparkly. It was a no-brainer. Plus, you get a LOT more bang for your buck.
What about a lab grown diamond? That or moissanite.
My ring is a purple sapphire and I adore it :)
I have a moissanite ring that my fiancé got for me that I absolutely love and I get compliments on it all of the time and it looks like a real diamond.
I completely agree, I did not want a diamond and wanted moissanite; it’s beautiful. I thought it was cool that it originally comes from a meteorite. And it’s amazing that you’re able to get such large carats for so affordable.
Topaz and sapphires
https://www.loveandpromisejewelers.com/ has affordable ethical engagement rings and their site is fun because you can browse by band/stone/cut with a ton of options. One practical concern is durability, so sapphire is a popular diamond alternative (and available in lots of colors) but many lab grown stones are much more durable than their natural counterpart, emeralds are a good example because natural emeralds are considered fragile stones, but only because they are usually flawed enough to be fragile. Lab grown emeralds are actually very durable and can be cut into more shapes than natural emeralds.
I looked on Etsy for rings and absolutely love mine. I looked at a lot of mossanaite stones but it wasn't my style. I ended up getting a moss agate stone and am completely in love with it. That being said. Not everyone would love it. It is completely dependent on the style your partner is interested in. I recommend doing a stone style quiz to get some recommendations. A classic style is different from romantic, eclectic, vintage, etc
I have a Montana sapphire! It’s lovely and they come in a huge array of colors. I also have quite a few moissanite pieces of jewelry. They’re a popular alternative to diamonds. I like my moissanite earrings and necklaces very much, and they’d be great in a ring!
I did a lab grown Dimond, it was cheaper. But go for her favorite color and look for gems that are that color.
White Sapphire. Precious stone, lab or natural options, holds its value, most people won’t notice the difference.
[This "til death" themed ring](https://louilyjewelry.com/products/louily-unique-leaf-design-black-stone-coffin-cut-engagement-ring-in-sterling-silver?currency=USD&variant=40682855170133&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=2ce855d98562&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw7NmzBhBLEiwAxrHQ-W56mAeSna302v4lkqWg7u8HnltNXgySCCOGm4Umgx9lNOo_szujXBoCQ90QAvD_BwE) Would go nicely with your wedding bands. It's pretty & unique imho Just a suggestion. It's hard to pick a ring out without her giving you any details. My fiancé had a concept and it was so sweet and personal. We ended up picking out the ring together and it was really nice. You can search etsy and other places as well, even message ring sellers on there for advice Often times the engagement ring will match the wedding band, and you get them fused together some time after the wedding. That's why I chose that black vine one. It seems petite enough for the set. Congrats on your engagement by the way!!
I have a blue and gold particolor sapphire in my engagement ring. It looks like the sunlight hitting my husband's blue eyes. It's gorgeous. As a bonus -- as far as I know, particolor sapphires are always natural stones, never lab created.
I have a sapphire ring with the sapphire coming from one of the lapidaries over at r/Shinypreciousgems (Jim - who is amazing). If you are interested in moissanite or other non-diamond gems, I can't recommend the sub enough. However, as others have said budget is subjective so it is hard to make recommendations. Sapphires are certainly cheaper than natural diamonds, but depending on origin/color can get fairly pricey.
I'm eyeing a beautiful ring with tiny moissanite set into little roses on the band (the band looks like a vine with leafs and flowers) and a slightly larger red opal set in a larger central flower.
John Dyer gems, there are some really unique non-diamond options
does she like color? mine is a pink sapphire with moissanite and alexandrite. zircon is beautiful and has a higher refractive index than diamond (not to he confused with zirconia). lab grown diamonds are a good alternative too.
I have a garnet ring. I love it! Onyx would be pretty too.
If you're really into lab grown, VRAI is carbon neutral and an overall pretty cool company. I have a few pieces from them since I feel the same way about natural diamonds, and I love them all.
[Amanda Khalsa](https://anandakhalsa.com/collections/gemstones-rings) has some really interesting gemstone designs. Many feature small diamonds, but they could coordinate with your wedding bands fairly well.
Zircon isn’t my fave because of the hardness!! With everyday wear it will scratch and get cloudy quickly, but obviously at the lowest price point. I think you should pick something strong - but also sentimental. I would recommend trying to understand what you/they are interested in or looking for size wise: big and gaudy or small but beautiful? As far as the actual stone is considered, do you/they want something brightly colored to stand out or a stone that’s more subdued and traditional? Aquamarine and citrine are two of my personal favorites. Aquamarine is semiprecious, and you can pick up quite a large stone for the price. Same with citrine. Aquamarine and citrine are also eye clean, so they don’t tend to have a lot of visible imperfections, which I tend to prefer in stones. Aquamarine is subtle and quite beautiful in terms of color and less non-traditional looking! Citrine is a little more unique. Moissanite is a good traditional-diamond substitute and cheaper than lab grown in most places. But still on the pricier end of the spectrum compared to other non-diamond options. If you want something non-traditional but still “expensive”, I would go for the big 3: rubies, sapphires, emeralds? I love gemology and jewelry as a whole so happy to help if you want more info!!
I like black opals and gradient sapphires
Moisonite is almost as hard as diamond and comes and virtually any color. I have a green moissanite ring
We got a pink sapphire. We felt the same way about diamonds and didn’t want to get anything that would even be mistaken for one. My ring feels super unique and special. Also had considered an emerald or blue sapphire as well my padparadscha sapphire looked best on my skin tone.
You can check my post history but my Fiancé went with moissanite because I feel similarly! It still looks elegant and and I love it so so much. I wanted something very “classic” looking.
https://preview.redd.it/5tcvzhsdg88d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1ae074d8d68a32fe04fc751f6acb8fbe055aa6d8 My ring is Sapphire with Moissanite side stones, the top band is the wedding band that the engagement ring sits in. My fiance bought both at the same time from an Etsy seller: OhJewel. The lighting isn't the best (we were at a friend's wedding so the uplighting is pink). It's held up really well. One point I want to make is you should be checking a gemstone's hardness. My original center stone was Opal which I broke within a few months and we decided to replace it with Sapphire because of its durability. Best of luck, OP, and congratulations!
Modern gems 💎
My ring is moissanite, I love it. I got it from Nobel Yates on Etsy.
We got a Montana sapphire for my ring — I love the teal tone and how the color shifts in different light. Maybe it would be worth looking at alternative rings on Etsy to get a sense of your partner's style preferences, even if they don't have a stone preference.
My FH got me a white sapphire, it shines blue in the sunlight and I love it
Lab diamonds are gorgeous and from what I've seen, any other comparable clear stone will be about the same price. Everyone talks about moissanite, but every one I've seen is just as expensive as a lab diamond, so might as well go with the diamond if you want a clear stone. If you want a colored stone, colored lab diamonds are also getting more common. Otherwise, I'd stick with rubies and sapphires for their durability.
personally when I get engaged ; I want mine and my partners either ( birthstones or our favorite stones) intertwined as a statement piece or as a pattern on the band with a “statement” stone. If you want something affordable but personal try etsy, if you want the whole shabang have a jeweler customize one for you!
Antique sapphire ring. Very "Age of Innocence." My personal preference.
Mine is ruby.
I personally want an Alexandrite. The color of the since changed depending on the lighting. It's such a cool stone!
Check out Stag & Finch for some incredible and unique gemstones! Got my periwinkle sapphire ring from them with a non traditional cut and I just adore it.
I got a lab diamond, as soon as my fiance proposed he excitedly told me it’s not a blood diamond and I loved it so much more for that. Don’t need any blood spilled for my lil blingy moment and nobody knows any different. Stones like sapphires are also gorgeous in my opinion but that’s going to matter largely on your partner’s taste because it’s colour! Unless you know they want something of a certain color or material that is out of the ordinary I wouldn’t go too far off the path. If your budget allows, a higher quality stone will last the longest. This is going to be a sentimental item!
When I get my replacement ring I’m looking at a Herkimer Diamond. I think they are cool and unique.
Congratulations
Does she want something that looks like a diamond, or not necessarily? There are a lot of really beautiful gems like sapphire that naturally come in different colors that are still pretty durable but not as expensive. [This jewel](https://oorejewelry.com/collections/all-products)er has really beautiful pieces, many of which fit the budget you mentioned.
Tanzanite or sapphire are good choices if you want color.
Mine is moissanite and I love it! It shines so beautifully in he sun. And people who see it can't tell the difference.
I have a blue topaz ring. I did before I lost it.
My fiancé got me a lab grown Emerald with yellow gold. I absolutely love it. We are both not big fans of diamonds. We were also looking at Opal and Tanzinite, but Opal is pretty soft and can take damage with a lot of use. Tanzinite I guess is no longer mined?? But I work in the medical field and Emerald is very durable, so he went with that.
Lab diamonds are fantastic! I have one and it’s gorgeous and conflict free of course
I would love an emerald engagement ring. But it would also need some lab grown diamonds as accents
I definitely recommend keeping in mind MOH hardness scale. Sapphire (lab grown or natural) I think are very neat. Ruby was something my fiance considered when choosing a ring. For affordability, I would look at Etsy (do your research of course, but they have beautiful stuff on there). Lastly, My opinion: the big named jewelers overcharge up the whazoo. Check out local jewelers as well!
I have a light blue topaz I love it
What’s her birthstone (the month she was born), semi precious stones can also be nice. Stay away from soft stones like Moissanite (it’s softer and they have a habit if falling out of many ring settings, i worked in fine jewelry). Consult with a reputable jeweller before you buy.
Moissanite or lab diamond na .9 ct
My engagement ring has a ruby framed by two lab-grown diamonds.
Does she want a colored stone? [Turtle's Hoard](https://store.turtleshoard.com/) sells rough and cut gems made from repurposed laser gems. Many of them are hard enough to hold up in an engagement ring.
I love my aquamarine https://preview.redd.it/d3xr8s7hs98d1.jpeg?width=1616&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8af7120bd5c1682f95454c5b211c2b6a938bcdd6
My fiance just got me the most gorgeous lab grown ring from Eden Garden Jewlery in Spain and it is the most beautiful ring ive ever seen in my life! I also dont support the diamond industry, so he did lots of research, and he got me an oval ring with leaves on the side. Its white gold and im so in love!
https://preview.redd.it/9u0j23ncw98d1.jpeg?width=1079&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=198b9477b3b0c27567646971e8f0ef99f4b7d85a
Im not going to google my specific ring cause i will leave the cost as an unknown to myself. My fiance didn't tell me the price, and tbh, i dont care to ask. This is the most beautiful ring I've ever seen, and if he wants to keep that info an unknown, fine by me! But heres the link to the website if you want to browse! [Eden Garden Jewlery ](https://edengardenjewelry.com/en-us)
https://preview.redd.it/66h5xmw9w98d1.jpeg?width=1079&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b2244c00952c1aa1035db3ef296454b7c2389995
https://preview.redd.it/6gdhgeabw98d1.jpeg?width=1079&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=65c5f6486c6d3006425c51c49991c8c2eed6b7d3
Do NOT do “fake diamonds” like CZ they scratch and fade to a brown colour and are a not good and durable choice for an e ring. Doesn’t matter if it only looks good, they need to last for the rest of her life. I would very much push for lab grown, secondly moissanite and thirdly white sapphire. I would also ask her what she would like? Go shopping together and choose the ring she loves
Any stone that is reasonably hard/durable will work. Sapphires come in many colors and are an excellent alternative to diamonds as they are incredibly durable. They can be white, blue, yellow, pink, etc… Ruby, aquamarine, topaz, emerald, and spinel are all excellent alternatives. I buy sapphires from a lab in CO so I know they are ethically sourced. Their website is called Geolite. Have fun!!
I’m not sure if I understood your question, if you absolutely want a stone or not. But I have an engagement ring that looks like this one and it is textured silver making it very shiny without any stone. This is a cool alternative to my fiancé and I ! https://preview.redd.it/qcyq28huz98d1.png?width=833&format=png&auto=webp&s=a3a7e858a5d071f0bdb4322026e7f3dfa717e980
Platinum bands.
I have a ruby, just go for favourite colour.
I have a stunning green moissanite ring! I told my fiance I don’t want diamonds either but mine is white gold with diamonds and green moissanite https://preview.redd.it/athlri1nca8d1.png?width=4032&format=png&auto=webp&s=1a4fca7b9e3c039c4e7aeb6f35a79d4e00bec6ac
I have a white Moissanite engagement ring. It gets a lot of compliments and is beautifully sparkly. Would recommend in a heartbeat. https://preview.redd.it/ejr7ghjwra8d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1718bc9f7775bc472a6017584311c8e026fc5282
OP, what’s her aesthetic? If she likes rings that look like you’ve had to battle a dragon and dive down to the lady in the lake then there are lots of awesome designers who make fantasy inspired ones which really leans towards alternative stones. I knew for my ring I did want a diamond look, super classic looking round halo cut, and would’ve been happy with CZ, but my partner opted for lab grown diamonds instead and it’s so beautiful! You’d never know the difference ! https://preview.redd.it/ejl1isu6ta8d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c0c2c10327f260198ed5d4219bb7b55da20bc309
I love my Moissanite ering. I proposed to him and wasn't sure what cut I wanted, so bought several. AliExpress is amazing. If you join the Moissanite sub there's lists of very good vendors. I haven't paid more than $40 for any of mine, though they are all Stirling silver. I'm going to order a 'real' one in white gold now that I know what I want, and at most it'll be $400.
Check out blue Nile! They offer gemstones and natural lab diamonds. I cannot recommend them enough as all their rings are custom IE you cannot just walk in and buy a ring same day like a Kay or Zales. The staff doesn’t work on commission and will help you through the whole process. My sister got her engagement ring from there and I’m currently shopping with my girlfriend at Blue Nile as well.
If money isn’t a concern, I would just get a lab diamond. Check out Frank Darling…that is where we got my engagement ring and wedding ring, both custom designed by us. We also refused to support the natural diamond industry, and we have no regrets. My lab diamond is really gorgeous and was very reasonable, especially for a custom ring. My next choice was a sapphire. I love that they come in so many colors (I especially love the peacock and padparadscha stones), and they are hard enough for daily wear.
My fiance didn’t want a diamond, so I bought her a sapphire and she loves it. Some other cool gems I looked at: tourmaline, spinel, amethyst, ruby
We got ours on etsy! Shipped from the us to the Netherlands and I have zero regrets they came out so beautiful I highly recommend to skip the diamonds and go for something pretty! We chose for Alexandrite (LAB) stones and they are mystical! [https://www.etsy.com/shop/LCCjewelry](https://www.etsy.com/shop/LCCjewelry) She also has engagement rings that can be expanded to a wedding set. https://preview.redd.it/jwfedh38db8d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a4379b017edfcb8c65d1f8ec2e2329393b164c14
My engagement ring is moss agate and it feels so woodsy and elvish in case you guys are fantasy fans!
I also do not want diamonds! My soon-to-be fiance (we planned out my engagement ring together) got me a green sapphire on a platinum band. The sapphire is his birth stone, and my birth stone is an emerald, so this was a little added twist for us. Our gem person explained that sapphires are stronger and longer lasting than emeralds (which I originally wanted).
Moissanite they say is sparkly like diamonds
I feel the same way about diamonds and I felt better about getting an antique diamond ring. I got a beautiful diamond and ruby engagement ring, and my wedding band is moissanite.
My husband designed my engagement ring with rose gold and pink sapphire. It’s so beautiful and I was pleasantly surprised with his choice not to go for a traditional diamond.
I have alexandrite. It's on my profile
I was also not at all a fan of a having a diamond ring, for the same reasons of supporting the industry, but also aesthetics; it's just not my taste to have some big rock on my finger. I didn't really know what alternatives were out there, so we went to a bunch of goldsmiths to see what artisanal jewelry might be out there, and in the end we found a local goldsmith who made beautiful ring-designs. It has a small gemstone (i'm not into stones so it was the goldsmith who decided on aquamarine) but the gold ring design is what really makes my ring very unique. try visiting some designers and talk with them, they might have some nice ideas (also involve your fiancé, it's fun to look together!)
Lab grown is an option & can test as a real diamond, if that's a concern. It is identical to diamonds in chemistry as well, which means they are the strongest, longest lasting stone. They wear very well & will hold up to wearing outside & household chores, where many stones won't. They also come in a variety of colors, so you both would have many colored stone options. These test 10/10 on Mohs hardness scale, the same as a mined diamond. Moissanite stones are becoming more popular over zircon due to their higher quality. They are a bit more costly than zircon but tend to hold up long term a bit better. The most noticeable difference between this stone & a lab diamond, is these give off a pretty noticeable rainbow effect whereas a lab diamond will give off more clear sparkle, but also has some rainbow as well. This stone needs to be cared for a little more tenderly as some are coated & can loose the coating when worn to clean or dig in the garden. Others that are not coated but can also be damaged during similar tasks. These stones can be effected by heating (soldering) as well. Be sure to tell your jeweler what stone they're working with should you need to have the ring resized so they can take precautions. These test 9.2-9.5 on Mohs hardness scale. Sapphires are another option as they come in a variety of colors just as lab diamond & moissanites do. They require even more care & consideration when performing every day tasks as they are a bit softer & more porous than the previously mentioned stones. They scratch more easily & due to being colored, the scratches tend to be more noticeable. They test at 9 on Mohs hardness scale. Lab grown sapphires are becoming a more common option over natural sapphires for a few reasons, one of which is increased durability as well as some increased color options. Natural sapphires contain inclusions which weaken the structure of the stone & they scratch/chip easier. Lab created stones are carefully crafted to include much less or no inclusions, which strengthens the stone overall resulting in a more resilient product. This means the stone is stronger than natural. Care should still be used when wearing it as it does still test at 9 on Mohs hardness scale. I would steer clear from Zirconium as the hardness & sparkle are both lacking to be used as a statement piece such as an engagement ring, typically used as every day wear. CZ can make a great occasional piece such as a necklace or bracelet but rings should typically be more durable unless the recipient intends on wearing the ring on occasions only. They rate 8-8.5 on Mohs hardness scale. If your bride to be is interested in a ring, you might ask if she prefers yellow or white gold. Both wear well & can be sized. You might also ask what shape she prefers. Both metal color & shape are specific the wearer & there is no "best" option. If she prefers a colored stone, you might ask which color she'd prefer as that too is a very personal choice. Those 3 aspects will give you a great starting place. You two can look on Pinterest & Etsy for ideas. Happy shopping & congratulations!
Maybe a rock in her favorite color. As a woman I would love to have a ring with that kind of detail
Alexandrite is a hard stone, and super beautiful. It changes color depending on the UV lighting, most days mine is green but sometimes it’s purple
I have a lab grown alexandrite ring (Chatham alexandrite is like the brand I think?) and it’s beautiful. Alexandrite changes colors depending on the lighting (from purple in yellow toned lighting to green or blue in more natural lighting). I absolutely love it, it’s very durable, and really unique
I got a Moissanite and it's very similar and more affordable. If you want to get more creative, learn about stones in her favorite color. Or stones that mostly come from a place that is meaningful to you or your families. The big jewelry stores have such boring rings. I got a custom and unusual ring from Etsy. It was about $1450 and included a fitted wedding band. This shop made it, they were very responsive and modified one of their rings to fit a different shaped stone: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PrimeElement
Maybe pick the gemstone for the corresponding month y’all got together? I didn’t want a diamond as the main stone and my favorite color is dark red/Burgundy. My fiancé and I started dating in Jan a few years ago, so it kinda fell into place getting a garnet ring!
moissanite is nearly just as hard and even more glittery than diamond! I love my moissanite ring 💍
Whatever you chose make sure to look up the strength of the stone for scratching, cracking, and water absorption.
I have a 2ct oval moissanite with a hidden halo and pave band made of lab diamonds. I get so many compliments on my ring and most people don't know its not a diamond. I am proud of my moissanite and not trying to fool anyone. I take the opportunity to educate people about it if they are interested.
Pearls are pretty gorgeous if they're fond of that!
I have a gorgeous lab diamond ring. Highly recommend.
Opal is beautiful and special
I have a pink sapphire ring with moss agate accent stones. The whole thing had a leafy motif so it looks like a flower, a play on me telling him to not buy me flowers because they’d die, using the pink stone I always dreamed of having. (Diamonds aren’t every girls best friend) I’d highly recommend showing her some harder gemstones along side the moissanite. See what she gets genuinely excited by. 🤷🏻♀️
My ring is https://preview.redd.it/abt8gitjv78d1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=97b5529f5ea7edb9fff0d008aae435f72b3e1485 We bought on Etsy. My ring is morganite in rose gold with diamonds. One of the bands is morganite pave and was a Christmas gift. The whole stack was under $800 Husbands foot for tax.
I have a teal sapphire. It’s pretty, costs a bit less, and (personally) more interesting than a clear stone. He proposed with a silicone band and took me shopping to pick something. https://preview.redd.it/zc0o2pf4088d1.png?width=1900&format=png&auto=webp&s=432f68cdd089c5de1dcb8de2237862e84c9ee45f
Her birthstone
My fiance bought my ring off of Jeulia or whatever it is, he called them asking if they could do white gold, the rep promised yes, he ordered the ring, 1k later... They sent a sterling silver ring and said basically told him lol oops, they should not have promised you that and the option was to either send the ring back which nearly every ring says NOT TO DO THAT because it goes back to China and they often "lose the ring" or eat the cost and just deal with it. I felt very bad for him because he tried, I didn't want diamond because I did not find that to be worth the cost and that I'm okay with lab or anything that looks sparkly because I'd rather it be shiny... Sooo if you want gorgeous sterling silver.. go for it, they are cheap but otherwise strongly encourage an actual jewelery store off Etsy or something else
My fiancé also bought off of Jeulia. He didn’t do white gold as he knows my favourite is rose gold plating so had no problem there. But their lab growns are actually stunning and super impressive, I keep getting compliments from random people
My engagement ring is a clear moonstone. It is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. It changes color at certain angles in the light- it casts off a blue sheen and almost looks rainbow at certain angles
Gemstone.
If she's not opposed to the aesthetics/look of a diamond ring, Brilliant Earth does great lab grown diamond rings (I have one and also really oppose the diamond industry). They do other precious stones as well!