Faking it

[Jenna]

Unless I can find an antique ring that I love, I think I am going to go fake. This is for two reasons, the first being that I think with so many rings out there I don't see the need to buy something new, and the second is that I can't get over how much money diamonds cost (hello inflation of all things with the word "wedding" attached).

I wanted to see what others think about going fake, and what you have heard about the different options. So far I have come up with moissonite (spelling?), white sapphires, and a lab-grown diamond from Diamond Nexus labs ($79 a carat my friends!). I read somewhere that moissonite can fade over time, but I have a small sweet 16 ring made with it and I think it still looks fine. Are there better options? Do you have any particularly amazing antique ring sites I can take a look at?

If you are interested, this is actually the ring that I am looking at right now. I am just not sure if I think it is worth what they are charging for it. Please don't buy it before I do :)

http://www.sylviasantiques.com/whitegoldvintageengagementring-p-146...

[laragale]

I feel the same way you do about the diamond industry, and also spent months looking for the perfect antique ring and didn't find it. I'm happy I didn't though, because my fiance and I designed a ring together. We used an emerald cut yellow sapphire (it looks like a canary diamond but much cheaper) with diamond side stones. I absolutely love it, I got my vintage inspired look and in terms of quality (clarity, hardness etc.) sapphires are very close to diamonds so it will really last. That was my concern with moissonite or other imitation diamonds. We went through a local jeweler, but if you want to get an idea of what sapphires cost check out The Natural Sapphire Company (http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/index_new.aspx). Good luck!!

PS: I was having technical difficulties attaching a picture, but I'll try again if it doesn't work...excuse the bad quality of the picture too, I need a new camera!

[Terri]

My ring is real, but the stones are not new -- they were taken from a second-hand ring and put into a new setting. I am considering something other than diamonds -- either synthetic or other stones altogether -- for a wedding band, because I think I want stones, but diamonds are quite expensive. As well, my ring has some colour in it -- the centre stone is a blue diamond -- so I'd like my band to have some colour too.

[BigShot]

My fiance tried to sell me on the messionate ring after he bought the real thing. Instead of paying insurance on the real thing, he wanted to put it in a safe deposit box and have me wear an identical fake?? I was like, what was the point of buying the ring in the first place? Anyways, we pay insurance on it now.

How many people on here got engaged without a ring? It seems like everyone is picking out their ring. That doesn't really happen much around me. Maybe its a regional thing? Southern california here. Just wondering. I'm reading these posts, and am like - what do you mean you don't have a ring? I'm intrigued.

[Tiffany Edgecombe]

I have my wedding half planned and still no ring... it's not that I have dreamed up every little detail of my fairy tale wedding (I really wasn't that girl... more concerned about creating a wedding on a budget), I actually have vendors booked without a ring! I can't say this is the ideal way to go about it, but being the planner that I am, and considering how far in advance you have to book vendors these days, we made a decision, started making calls, and before you know it, the big cheques are being written. I think this actually slows the engagement process since so much money has already been forked over... now the saving plan for the Ering has been sacrificed. aggghhh, not to worry though, I know the ring of my dreams will come soon... let's hope he has received my thoughts and knows the one! That is one part of the planning I refuse to participate in... is there any chance of a surprise at this point?! I will let you know how it turns out!

[Lizzie B]

I have a moissanite ring! I love it, adore it and get a ton of compliments on it. When we got engaged, it was with a family ring, but it was completely not my style (and also had bad marriage mojo history). I did not want to support big business or the diamond industry, so I researched for months and picked moissanite. I special ordered an antique style setting from the Marlene Harris Collection and set had my super inexpensive stone set in. It really is beautiful - I wish I had a picture. Good luck!

[BethanyB]

I say totally go for "faking it." No one will know the difference. Who cares?? As long as you love your beautiful ring, that's what counts! I don't think a man should have to break the bank to prove his love for you--that's ridiculous! Plus,once you're married, it's your bank that will be broken, too!

[Abena]

I completely agree. My first ring was fake. No one knew, and everyone loved it. It was a beautiful antique-ish design from Overstock for less than $50. Now that we're in a better situation I got a custom piece from a wholesaler (for much less than you get a ready made piece in stores). Only have the engagement ring now, gonna get the band later. Fake it until you can get what you really want.