How to choose engagement rings without diamonds

An "engagement" diamond rings is a very important purchase. Many people say that the cost of an engagement ring should be three months salary. However choosing a ring because it is very expensive doesn't necessarily show what your love means to you. The ring should fit her personality, it should be a reflection of her and your love for her. Generally we think of engagement rings as diamonds, this doesn't have to be the case. There are some beautiful alternatives to diamonds which can be more affordable and fit your girlfriend's personality better than a clear stone.

The traditional engagement stone in England is the sapphire. Blue sapphires are absolutely beautiful stones, they range in color from almost clear to almost black. Second in hardness to diamonds (the hardest mineral on earth), sapphires will last a lifetime in an engagement ring. Sapphires also come in a variety of different colors; yellow, pink, purple, orange, or greenish color. The value of a nice deep blue sapphire is comparable to that of a diamond. Another good option for an engagement ring is a ruby, they have the same chemical make up of sapphires therefore they have equal longevity. The traditional 55th wedding anniversary stone, the emerald is a good choice if your girlfriend is fond of green. When choosing an emerald take care in checking it for defects as they can affect its longevity.

When picking an engagement ring, you don't have to go with the traditional diamond. Where diamond is the hardest stone and will outlast any other stone in the long run, there are alternatives. You do however want to choose a stone that will last a lifetime. It is not a good idea to choose a stone simply because it will save you a lot of money. A cubic zirconium for example may be dirt cheap but it will come far from withstanding the tests of time. It is best to stick with sapphires, rubies and emeralds as alternatives to diamonds. With those three stones you have an entire rainbow of colors to choose from. In general a sapphire will run at a lower price then the other two stones mentioned. With all of these stones you will save a bit of money compared to a diamond.

There are options for engagement rings without diamonds. Make it personal and unique. An engagement ring displays what your girlfriend means to you. It is your love manifested in physical form. Shop around and do your research. Don't just go out and buy a ring because you were offered a deal that you could not pass up. Put serious thought into the style of the ring as well as the stone that you want in the ring.