Purchasing an engagement ring can be a costly affair, but you don’t need to spend thousands and max out your credit card to propose marriage to your special girl. While diamonds are boasted as a girl’s best friend, they aren’t your wallet’s or African diamond miner’s best friends. Whether you aren’t keen on purchasing a diamond engagement ring because of the huge expense or because of the possibility that you are purchasing blood diamonds, you don’t have to worry, there are some great alternatives to diamond engagement rings.
Pearl
Pearls are used for some very classic and beautiful jewelry, including rings. If you try searching for “pearl engagement rings” you will probably have a hard time finding what you are looking for, but who says that a pearl ring has to be intended for engagement by a jeweler in order for it to be used as an engagement ring. Below are some beautiful pearl rings that you may choose to use for an engagement ring.
AmericanPearl.com
Corvina a Japanese Akoya Cultured Pearl Ring $195.00
Tres Jolie White South Sea Ring $1,400.00
Sheila a Freshwater Cultured Pearl Ring $165.00
Gemstone
Rubies, saphires, and emeralds, oh my! Gemstones are a great way to go when it comes to shopping for a diamond-free engagement ring. You might decide on your girlfriend’s birthstone, the birthstone of someone that she was very close to and lost, or your birthstone for her engagement ring. It can be difficult to find gemstone rings that don’t have diamonds, but below are a few gemstone solitaires that would make beautiful engagement rings.
RaymondJewelers.com
Genuine Aquamarine Pear Shape Solitaire Ring in 14K White Gold $295.00
Elegant Genuine Rhodolite Garnet Ring 14K White Gold $235.00
Precious Trillion Triangle Shape Genuine Peridot Ring 14K Yellow Gold $395.00
Moissanite
Lately a popular alternative to diamond engagement rings have been rings with diamond-look-alikes, and moissanite is one of those popular diamond-look-alikes. If you are hoping to fool the average person who asks to see The Ring, then you might consider purchasing one of the rings listed below.
MoissaniteIsForever.com
Moissanite 14k White Gold Classic Princess Solitaire Ring $468.00
Moissanite 14k White Gold Square Brilliant Cathedral Solitaire $468.00
Moissanite 14k White Gold Round Channel Set Tapered Ring $576.00
Moissanite 14k Yellow Gold Round Trellis Baguette Ring $751.00
No matter what your reasoning is for avoiding a diamond engagement ring, there are many other options for you to explore. Don’t allow societal norms to decide what engagement ring is right for you and your girlfriend.
If you are worried that your girlfriend may be offended by a less expensive diamond-free engagement ring then you could always propose to her in the jewelry store and then let her pick out the diamond-free ring of her choice. Chances are, if you let her pick the ring that she wants and explain to her why you aren’t in favor of purchasing a diamond ring, she will understand and just be glad that you want to spend the rest of your life with her.
