Guest Post: 8 Tips to Snag a "Hip" Wedding Ring Without Breaking the Bank
I’ve received a number of emails from male readers who are planning to propose to their girlfriends soon (maybe even on Valentine’s Day) and are looking for some tips/advice to snag an affordable engagement ring. Since I am by no means an expert on ring shopping, I asked Amy from Belles on a Budget to write up a post focused on tips for engagement ring shopping on a budget. Thanks to Amy, here are 8 tips to help you snag a “Hip” ring without breaking the bank….
* Get informed
Make sure to know the Four Cs (cut, carat, clarity, and color) of diamond shopping… and what is most important to your fiance-to-be, whether it is something that sparkles, a specific cut, or certain type of stone. This will help you know which aspect to prioritize when you are selecting a ring within your budget. Look online for hundreds of articles that explain the Four Cs and the rating scale associated with each aspect.
* Shop around
Although shopping for a ring is an exciting, emotional decision, make sure not to jump into anything! Shop and compare prices and rings at brick and mortar stores and online to make sure you are getting the best value for your money. Don’t be afraid to take notes! As with any big purchase, this is not an impulse buy. Write down the cut/color/clarity/carat combinations you see, and their prices, which will make it easier to compare later after you’ve visited multiple stores. And if you receive pressure at jewelry stores- stand your ground and don’t purchase anything until you’ve done your research. You can always go back to that first ring you saw if you still think it is “the one” after you’ve done some price comparisons.
* Be Trendy
Non-traditional wedding rings are huge right now! Many brides are opting for sapphires, rubies, emeralds, or other gemstones rather than a diamond ring. These options can sparkle and make a statement just as much as a diamond, and most importantly- symbolize your love and commitment in the same way a traditional engagement ring does. And these gemstones can be a huge money saver!
* Use the family jewels
Think about using a family heirloom or vintage jewelry of your grandmother’s/mother’s/aunt’s that has been sitting around the house as an engagement ring. You can modernize a diamond or gemstone necklace or ring by having it placed in a setting your fiance-to-be will love. It will be much cheaper than buying a new ring and it will have that special added sentimental value of family history.
* Shop online
There are several very legitimate online stores that sell jewelry like Blue Nile or Overstock.com. The key to buying at one of these retailers is to know the cut, clarity, color and carats you are looking for and compare them across the stores. And my husband’s tip: even if you plan to buy the ring online, go into brick and mortar stores to be able to actually see similar rings in person. That way you will know what a certain cut looks like or how specific clarity and color combinations sparkle in person, before you buy online.
* Check out sample sales
I have been surprised to see fine jewelry featured on many reputable sample sites like Rue La La, Modnique, and Swirl. These sites offer huge discounts on rings and would be an excellent way to score a good price on an engagement ring, especially a gemstone ring. As with any purchase, though, make sure to consider the Four Cs of the ring (which should be included for any diamond purchase) and your previous research before you buy.
* Communicate with the jewelers
Many shops, especially small businesses, can work with your budget or will help you design the perfect (and completely unique) ring. Don’t hesitate to discuss your budget and your expectations at jewelry stores and see what they can do for you.
* And after you find that perfect ring for your loved one…get insurance!
Although it doesn’t sound particularly romantic, it’s important to get insurance very soon after you make this big purchase. For a few dollars a month, you and your fiance can have the peace of mind of knowing that this big purchase is protected.
If you have recently purchased a ring, please share any advice/tips/tricks that you learned along the way. Happy Ever After to all the couples who are getting married/engaged this year! 🙂
(Thanks so much to Amy over at Belles on a Budget!)
Ask to see the diamond in natural light away from the showroom light. And see if it still sparkles the same.
Good tips!
Also look into companies like Apollo diamonds and Gemesis who manufacture diamonds in the lab. They are chemically and visually no different from regular diamonds, the only difference is that it isnt mined. They can also custom make shapes and cuts and it cuts the cost by 30-40%! Its a great way to get the effect without the cost
We got some really good advice from my Dad, went to a Pawn shop and bought a second hand engagement ring with a 3/4C. solitaire for $500… the setting was hideous very 1986…took the ring to a good jeweler and had him reset the diamond it in a plain white gold setting for an additional $180. Even if pawn shops aren’t legal in your state it might be worth it to drive a few hundred miles.
We did something similar but started with a reputable dealer of antique jewelry. Bought the 1950s, high -quality diamond ring and had it reset in a contemporary setting. A reputable dealer will let you have the stone appraised for a second-opinion.
We got my engagement ring and my wedding ring from Blue Nile & I couldn’t be happier with them. We paid at least $1000 under what we found at local jewelry stores in our city. It’s been 5 years and it still looks just as beautiful as it did the first time I saw it. I would highly recommend them!
I also suggest looking at bluenile.com They have great quality for reasonable prices. It’s where my ring came from.
The picture on this post is my wedding ring exactly!
I love your ring, Emily. It’s gorgeous.
Great prices for great quality!
I have a nontraditional ering and wedding band. I have a halo sapphire as my ering and my wedding band is rubies and diamonds alternating.
I get numerous comments on them daily and they cost 1/4 the price of the run of the mill rings:)
This time of the year I have noticed that jewlery is more expensive. I got my engagement ring on Christmas and my finace bought it in November. After Christmas around this time of year I noticed that the sale price of the ring was about $500 higher than in Nov. With that being said, I think the best time to buy jewlery is in the fall!
My husband bought my engagement ring about 8 months before he actually proposed. It was a platinum band & setting. By the time he proposed, the cost of platinum had more than doubled to over $2k per ounce! I wanted a platinum wedding band as well but at that price, white gold was going to have to do. By chance, I heard a commercial on the radio while I was driving for an annual sale that a VERY high end jeweler in Boston (where we lived) was having and we decided to check it out. They were unloading inventory at the prices that they purchased at, not interested in profit at all. We both bought plain, pure platinum wedding bands at the 2005 cost of platinum for $675 total. It was cheaper for my platinum band than a white gold band would have been at the current market price (this was in 2008). So, my recommendation would be to check out those jeweler’s annual sales – you may get lucky!
My fiancee and I went with Zales for our rings. Piece of advice…go into the store to try it on, look at it and get sized. Then, don’t buy it from the store. Both of our rings were MUCH cheaper online ($100-300 difference) on their website (and free shipping to have it shipped to the store). Some styles may not be online yet. But in both of my cases, it was because they were new items and took 2 months before showing up online.
for a man’s wedding band i would definitely use overstock.com
like many others i also recommend blue nile.
You can also visit a certified gemologist instead of a jewelry store. My husband and I did that, and got to choose the stone and a simple setting (exactly what I wanted) from his office. And since he doesn’t have to pay the huge overhead of a mall store or offer tons of different items, the prices were much cheaper. We even ordered my husbands wedding band from him, and it was also much cheaper.
Another vote for Blue Nile! My husband purchased my engagement ring there. When he received it, he had it appraised by a third party, for insurance purposes. It appraised for for more than twice what he paid for it! Best of all, I LOVE my ring, it’s simple, yet stunning.
One more place to check out: Costco!! Great prices for fabulous pieces! A friend of ours got a ring there and it was stunning and at least $500 less than the jewelry store.
Costco is a great place!
I would recommend staying away from the “mall” stores, (Jared, Herzberg, Zales, Robbins Bros,) and look for a jewelry at someplace like The Jewelry Exchange/Factory/Source. These people know their diamonds.
Also, if you desire a 1 carat stone, go for slightly under .85-.97.
There is a vanity markup at 1 carat. And the difference in size is not noticeable.
I agree with Cynthia on the 1 carat stone issue – going slightly under 1 carat will save you lots of $$ and to the naked eye, no one will be able to tell…
Ultimately, you want the best of the 4 Cs but if you had to choose between size and clarity – always go for clarity because your diamond will shine incredibly versus one that is larger and lacks a beautiful “light”.
– Jewelry is typically less expensive from June-October, since there are no “BIG” gift giving holidays during that time and sales are much slower.
– Most independently owned jewelry stores have better pricing than the chains, as they have less overhead (and marketing/advertising costs) and often do the design work in-house. Always look in their estate case, where great deals can always be had.
– If you are purchasing locally, look for a jeweler who is also a diamond broker, as they can give you a better deal since they purchased at a much greater discount than a jeweler who buys from the diamond broker.
– And with independent jewelers, cash is always king – you can typically get a 10-30% discount for paying cash. But many also offer a house account – a way for you to pay monthly on your purchase, but usually without a huge percentage rate.
– Finally, look at antique dealers – I’ve seen tons of vintage rings lately, and all were truly bargains!
My sister was given the most beautiful, “blingin'” engagement ring. Rather than one big diamond it was four smaller square cut diamonds butted up next to each other to form a larger square. It is stunning and cost much less than a single large stone.
My engagement ring was a moissanite solitaire he purchased at JC Penny for $500 by paring a sale with opening a new JC Penny credit card account. Moissanite is man made but is found naturally in meteors (Think shooting stars! How cool is that!) It is a beautiful stone and has been regarded as an excellent diamond simulant, with optical properties exceeding those of diamond. It is harder than cubic zirconia and wont cloud or break. This is obviously something you would want to talk to your girlfriend about first but I am the kind of person who would rather start our marriage with more money in the bank rather than on my finger. And with the moissanite I got a huge, sparkly stone (that no one knows is “fake”) as well as a cushy bank account. Score!
I was gonna post the same thing!! Look into Moissanite for sure. I just had my husband order me an anniversary ring (3 stone) from Moissaniteco.com. It is 2 carats and is $890. Its not really a “fake” diamond…its just a different gemstone, so it ppl ask if its real you can say yes, of course it is 🙂 NO one can tell the difference. I recently saw some on clearance at JCPenny for 80% off!! I saw a beautiful 2 carat round solitare for 500!!!! Crazy! They aren’t going to carry them any more so you may be able to find one really cheap right now!! I would rather have the $ for a down payment on a house than on my finger! Guys, don’t buy into the hype that you can only get a diamond…its silly.
I highly recommend that young couples on a budget either follow the advice posted above.( which is awesome btw!)
OR spend the bulk of their ring budget on a one of a kind setting and use a colored jemstone that at a later date like a 5th or 10 anniversary can be replaced by with a diamond. The jem stone then can be made into a pendant or right hand ring for their future daughters 16th birthday. 🙂
Another option is there are many beautiful rings that are Diamonique( HSN, QVC ,,,) set in gold and platinum that many ppl that have real diamonds are buying to wear on vacations, to work, etc. I have an eye for real diamonds and I have a hard time telling the difference when I compare them.
Just my Two cents. When we renewed our vows my husband bought me a beautious garnet ring ( it matched the colors of our renewal) and I haven’t wore my wedding ring in 2 years 🙂 Except for special occasions.
My husband would kill me if I took off my ring. LoL
We purchased my engagement ring and wedding band from Jared 4 years ago. Let me warn you…it was the single worst financial mistake we’ve ever made. We were in a rush to get engaged and didn’t do our homework. We over paid by at least 30%. Looking back, I wish we had gone with Costco. At the end of the day, I could care less if my ring came from a warehouse store. Costco’s jewelry usually appraises for 2X the amount you buy it for and their return policy is superb! Another great place to buy is Whiteflash (www.whiteflash.com). I’ve heard such great things about them.
If you live in the San Antonio, TX area, check out Americus diamond. My brother just purchased an engagement ring for his fiance there and he was so pleased. Plus, if you choose to ever upgrade, you just need to upgrade to something which costs 20% more, which is much better than Jared’s 100% more upgrade policy.
If you want further tips or advice on purchasing engagement rings, check out http://www.pricescope.com. Also, as someone already stated, ask to see the ring in natural light. It should still sparkle in sunlight.
oh, agreed! It does not matter in the least WHERE the ring comes from. Heck, I wouldn’t even care if it were a real diamond as long as it’s pretty! LOL I’d rather have a great guy buy me a ring at Walmart than a jerk getting me one at Tiffany’s. 🙂
My little sister’s husband bought the diamond online – and took it to a jeweler to have it set in the setting my sister had picked out. It was so much cheaper and she really got SO much more bang for her buck from buying the diamond online! Even the jeweler couldn’t believe it!
Blue Nile is great! I’ve purchased many items from them. My friend got her engagement ring from them and she loves it!
My husband lucked out since my grandfather passed down my grandmother’s wedding set (engagement ring and wedding band) to use. But with that being said, they were fused together so I wore that as my engagement ring. So I definitely wanted my “own” band for our union. We were going to have my grandmother’s wedding band copied to fit on the opposite side, but it was going to be a huge price. Thankfully, we found a band at a local store that would fit with the set and though it was a little different, you could barely tell.
The sales people were so helpful and let us put down a deposit on the ring to hold it and then told us to come back in 2 weeks because that exact ring was going on sale and it would be an additional 20% off. They were great and helped us pay only a fraction of what we could have if we had custom made the band. It allowed us to spend more money for our honeymoon!
We just bought ours last week! Can’t wait to pick them up!
My last engagement ring came from Blue Nile. He didn’t get the center diamond when ordering the ring because he had a family heirloom diamond that he was re-setting into a ring for me. When we split, I kept the setting and had a different stone put in the center because I love the ring that much! lol I would totally wear it ALL the time except I’m afraid it would seem weird (even though I do wear it on my right hand now). But I can say that their quality is excellent, they were SUPER to deal with and it’s gorgeous. 🙂
I learned a lot about diamonds on pricescope.com. They even answer your questions if you have any. I bought my engagement ring on Whiteflash.com which was listed in there, and I’m quite satisfied with the quality of my ring and the services from them.
I would advise this. If she loves you, and truly wants to be your wife, the ring you choose won’t be an issue, so don’t stress over it, and don’t go broke over it. What she wears on her finger won’t pay the mortgage. We are learning the hard way! 🙁
Thank you for mentioning how trendy it is to look for a non-traditional ring! I don’t want a real diamond because I am afraid of funding war in Africa. I have told my boyfriend that when the time comes, I want a lab grown diamond or a non-traditional stone! It will save us money and give me peace of mind!
I want a lab created diamond as well! I can get the sparkler I want and it won’t have to cost a crazy amount of money that we just don’t have. I was so relieved when I found out about lab created diamonds.
i posted below but if you are looking at other rings look at this site, the link is to my ring but she sells them in lots of colors and shapes!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/55850581/champagne-yellow-unheated-sapphire-halo
Very smart! Check out Moissaniteco.com 🙂 Get a beautiful lab created ring for a fraction of the price!
I could not stress enough how important the last tip is…get insurance as soon as you get your ring. And for all those proposers-to-be, consider purchasing the insurance before you even pop the question, because sometimes girls get caught up in the romance and forget the practical steps. I recently go engaged, and five days later lost my ring at the grocery store. No insurance. So now I’m facing the reality of having to replace the ring. Very upsetting, and not a good way to start the rest of your life with the love of your life.
Thanks Belles for the awesome post!
I would suggest checking out Amazon.com too. They have a lot of jewelry at inexpensive prices, my husband got both his and my wedding bands on Amazon.com (both white gold) cheap! Also, you could check your local Craigslist and pawn shops, they always have jewelry at discounted prices.
Shane Co! They know their diamonds! My husband bought my e-ring there & we bought both of our wedding bands there as well. The maintenance is covered for life at no extra cost.
When my husband and I were looking for rings (Yes, he asked me to shop with him), I found a ring that I loved at Zales. It was way out of his price range. We walked into a lesser known store, Fred Meyer’s in the same mall. They had the same ring set for 1/2 the price. The jeweler sold it to my husband (at a later date, I didn’t know which one he was getting for sure) with tax included. 🙂
Sometimes you’re paying for the name of the store, not just the ring. 🙂
P.S. I still love my ring. People still compliment me and I’ve had my engagement ring for 6 years and my wedding band for 5!
FYI-If someone needs a wedding coordinator please email me at tadams@gbsio.net. I am very resonable and always find great frugal wedding bargins for the budget friendly bride and groom.
My advice is to not fiance a ring. It is not worth it! When I started going ring shopping we were very close to buying a 14k ring. When we left and my brain started working I went online. I found a great ring for 1,500 online (didn’t have to pay tax) that appraised at 11k. It was stunning and I love it. However now that I think about it I would have been happy with a simple gold band. It can be so easy to get caught up in the “show” of a wedding instead of thinking about the future you need to be building together.
Thanks for the great tips!
I also recommend using Blue Nile – they seem to have the best value.
i actually got mine off of Etsy.com and it is a sapphire center stone and diamonds around it. Mine is pale yellow in color but she makes and sells them in really nice combos. A big diamond wasnt what mattered, it was that i was getting a promise from the guy i want to spend my life with (getting married june 4th!). i know some women are a must on a super huge diamond but if your not, check this lady out. i love my ring and get compliments on it on the time… price -$800 with shipping! (though it looks like its up to $900 now which is still a great deal!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/55850581/champagne-yellow-unheated-sapphire-halo
Modnique is have a great sale on Dimamond rings today! There are $10,000 rings for just over $1200! Here is a link to get signed up:
https://www.modnique.com/invite/womandy13@hotmail.com
You are out of your mind if you think those rings would actually resale for $10k. Have you ever tried to sell a diamond? They have very little resale value. ( https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1982/02/have-you-ever-tried-to-sell-a-diamond/4575/ )
Go with a wholesaler or reputable jeweler that will let you see the diamond out of a setting. Most reputable jewelers/wholesalers will custom make your ring and you will pay a lot less since you are cutting out the middle man (such as Zales, Ben Bridge – these are the everyday store and usually have to mark up prices). My husband had looked at these types of places and other jewelers and found a great deal at a family jeweler. He brought them a picture of the ring he liked for me and they replicated it exactly!! If you are in the Houston area, I suggest you check out Dubin’s Fine Jewelry!! They were great!! They will work with you on price and get you exactly what you want for what you are looking to spend! My husband had gone to a few other places to compare and everywhere else he would have paid at least $1000+ more for the exact same diamond/ring. Make sure you also get your diamond appraised by someone other than the Jeweler.
I know my post will totally ruin the mood of this entry…but if you can buy a second hand diamond or a diamond that is guaranteed to be non-conflict, I think it will be well worth it–not to mention make the whole experience more enjoyable. I have been married for about 10 years now–and the thought of innocent people and children being killed for the diamond in my ring is horrible. I only learned about a year ago how most diamonds are mined and brought to the states–Ridiculous to think of the cruelity of people!…so like I said, avoid new or try to get a certified non-conflict diamond. Here is a website if you want more info https://www.stopblooddiamonds.org/
Even supposedly non-conflict diamonds can actually be blood diamonds. The regulations are unfortunately easier to circumvent than they should be. It’s really better to go with a lab-created stone. Then you know it’s cruelty free. And 99% of people probably can’t tell the difference anyway.
My ring was custom made.
The diamond was from my mothers solitaire when she married my father. They are divorced and she gave me the ring. We chose a setting with two round diamonds on each side of the middle pear diamond,( my mothers) the band for the engagement ring is also lined with channel set diamonds , The wedding band matches as a channel set as well.
Was able to get better bands because we saved SOOO much using a diamond we already had!
I did the same thing. My center stone was my grandmother’s – she had reset it (grandparents are divorced) and passed it on to my mom. My mom never wore it (scared she would lose it and not a jewelry kind of person). When we started talking about rings, I asked my mom if I could have it and reset it. She didn’t have any $ to put towards our wedding so it actually made her feel good to contribute. My DH and I both like 3 stone rings so we put a stone on each side. We used a private jeweler (no overhead) – between having the big stone and using them, we saved a bundle!!!
My fiance bought mine on Ebay….I know, I know it could have been scary. He made sure to buy from a jewelery store that had an easy return policy. My ring cost $1,300 and appraised for $6,000!
My advice would be to make sure to check out all feedback, make sure there is a return policy, pay attention to any special notes in the listing, and absolutely get the ring appraised the minute you get it. These steps will ensure you are getting exactly what you thought you were. Also, pay through PayPal for added protection.
If you are going to buy a diamond second hand, do not pay anything near what the original purchase price was unless you really want it. Contrary to popular belief, jewelry is a very bad investment and the resell value is awful, so people who want to sell their ring to you for say, 75% of the original cost are out of their mind. Have someone check out the ring before you buy it. Also, go to semi mount shows, ask the jewelry store when they will be having one. That is where you buy the setting without the center diamond. It gives you a lot of freedom to put a CZ or lab created stone in it, which are less expensive than real diamonds. If you are with a girl who doesn’t have to have the absolute real deal, first you are lucky, but also, putting a complete fake stone (CZ) as the center stone and having all the other stones real (say in a ring like the one above) will save you a ton. You can always upgrade the center stone for an anniversary later down the road. The tip for asking to see the ring under ‘normal’ lighting is really good. Also, just because a diamond has inclusions does not mean it is bad, as long you can’t see them with the naked eye you are good…who is going to be taking a magnifier to the ring except the jeweler? Estate sales are good places to go. Also, one last tip if you have the flexibility of not buying diamonds, white sapphires are lab created and look extremely similar (the sparkle is not as nice) diamonds to the naked eye, especially when small like side stones). I have two rings like the one above, one is ruby the other is emerald, but the side stones all around the band are white sapphires. People always comment on the beauty (and the assumed price) and they have no idea they are not diamonds. One last thing someone said the jewelry store had cheaper prices online by several hundred dollars, that is because you should never, ever, ever pay sticker price in store. They know you will get a discount. Especially when buying jewelry always ask what they can do about the price. Buying from the manager is the best because they have the most power to discount.
You are SO right about putting something other than a diamond in the center. My old engagement ring now has a CZ in the center spot. I’d bought a white sapphire to go there but it just didn’t sparkle enough for me. Replaced with the CZ and it sparkles more than the diamond did! 🙂
I really appreciate all the tips from Amy at bellesonabudget. Love your site, Amy!
Hi there- I am a devout reader of your blog. In fact, our family motto is “death before retail”. However, I think you’ve missed one of the most important ways to save money when purchasing diamond engagement rings, bands, etc. and it is the most cost cutting. My husband and I are wholesale diamond brokers who sell to the public in Portland Or. He has been in the business for 20+ years and you can imagine the list of global contacts he works with worldwide. I’ve seen people come in with budgets they thought would only result in a plain band and walk out with one carat solitaires. 10 years ago when I met my husband I didn’t realize the awful markup of retail jewelry stores. If you are serious about buying a stone that will end up being an investment rather than a burden, please either contact us (we work with clients nationwide) or another wholesale diamond broker in your area. However, that said, I cannot guarantee the stones you get from another broker will be conflict free, but I can guarantee ours are. In closing, I’ll give you an example: my current wedding ring is appraised at $19K. We paid around 5K. This is not an exception, this is the norm for our clients. We have very little overhead, don’t spend money on marketing and do well on word of mouth only. Please. If you are in the market for jewelry, contact us first. It’ll be worth your time and effort to do so. We’d love to hear from you, no matter your budget or taste. Cheers to saving money!
Lisa
PortlandDiamondCo.com
Some people may think this is tacky, but if you’re really not sure what your girl wants, just get a cheapo $8 ring from Claire’s or Wal-Mart or something until you can go shopping with her. She’d have fun going out with you. I did.
Of course, we couldn’t afford a diamond–so I just wore my Claire’s engagement ring until I had my wedding band (good thing we had a short engagement because my finger WAS starting to turn green after a few months ;D). Now I wear my $35 gold band, and I can’t wait for that far away anniversary when we are set financially and I will finally get my diamond! (However, if you have the money, you really should get her something nice right away, IMO–just don’t make money a priority over your relationship–and make sure you know how she feels about it too–for some of us women, a diamond is a REALLY big deal–especially when we break the news and everyone asks to see the ring).
I bet it’s not a $35 gold band anymore! Probalby worth MUCH more than that.
Truth. Even though it was bought only 5 years ago. I do think gold goes up in value, whether or not diamonds do.
If you choose a diamond, whatever you do, please please be careful that it is not a conflict diamond! Do your research on this, it is really important: https://www.un.org/peace/africa/Diamond.html
From the UN website:
“The General Assembly recognized that conflict diamonds are a crucial factor in prolonging brutal wars in parts of Africa, and underscored that legitimate diamonds contribute to prosperity and development elsewhere on the continent.”
“Conflict diamonds are diamonds that originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and are used to fund military action in opposition to those governments, or in contravention of the decisions of the Security Council.”
I have been looking at bluenile and ice.com I found some really nice rings at ice.com for cheap as well. 1/2 ct for 499.
Yeah, after watching a documentary about conflict diamonds, that ruined it for me! I will say in most parts of my life, I am very spoiled. But what I am not spoiled about is my ring. I have a bling fake, that I picked out specifically. I couldn’t have cared less if it was real or not. We got to have a much more lavish wedding and more awesome home because we didnt spend a fortune on rings. My ring is a knockoff of a Harry Winston, and it’s beautiful. I seriously doubt most people realize its fake, because so many people ooh and ahh over it. Plus, I hardly wear jewelry, especially with a new baby which it would scratch.
If your bride won’t freak out, I strongly recommend pretty “fakes”. You can get the setting in a nice material so that it won’t deteriorate or turn her finger green. It will be just as pretty. And you don’t have to tell anyone if you don’t want to 😀
Except your girl, of course. . . If it’s not real, she’ll find out eventually, trust me.
After researching the corruption in the diamond industry for a college assignment, I was certain I wanted a lab created diamond. My husband bought my ring from a company that manufactures in the US. I feel good knowing my ring was made by adults who are paid a fare wage, rather than wondering if children or other slave laborers were exploited in the mining and cutting of the stones. My ring is BEAUTIFUL, sparkly, and clear (three emerald cut stones). The exact same design was featured in a bridal magazine-with real diamonds it cost almost $30,000! My ring was well under $1,000.