Post # 77
Member
458 posts
Helper bee
I chose moissanite for its qualities. Sparkle was the most important aspect to me and seeing that moissanite has more sparkle than diamond, it was the best choice for me.
@Bellanouva:Your ring is beautiful! I want something like that for a RHR (aquamarine is my birthstone!) but have been weighing cost vs. how much I’ll wear it lol. Very, very beautiful!
@wifegoodman: Your ring is amazing! Not sure if I missed it somewhere but what kind of gemstone is that? Really cool how it photographed with two tones.
Post # 78
Member
91 posts
Worker bee
I have a white sapphire for my e-ring, and my wedding band is white topaz. You can’t tell that it’s not diamond, and they look way nicer than any diamond that I could afford (broke college student here).
Post # 80
Member
6891 posts
Busy Beekeeper
Definitely a larger non-diamond. My stone is an Asha, but it isn’t large. I chose it to fit my setting, which we already had. I am not a terribly “blingy” person, though I do love me some good bling. 😉 But my e-ring’s center stone Asha is only .5 carats, with the halo it looks much larger. Just my personal taste. We’ve talked about “upgrading” to a 1 carat Asha much later on, but it’d be a PITA because I’d either have to get a new setting or have lots of work done to mine to expand. Neither of which I’m super happy with. I obviously see where you’re coming from and that ring posted earlier = GORGEOUS. Seriously!
Here is my .5 carat Asha center stone in my diamond setting. 
Post # 79
Member
4479 posts
Honey bee
- Wedding: March 2010 - Calamigos Ranch
I’d rather have a smaller diamond than a larger stone designed to imitate a diamond. But I wouldn’t have minded a larger gemstone–I originally wanted a blue sapphire, but we ended up going with a diamond.
Post # 81
Member
2253 posts
Buzzing bee
I would probably have to vote for getting a smaller diamond. I love gemstones in my jewelry when it comes to earrings or necklaces but with my engagement ring, it was a diamond all the way.
Post # 82
Member
189 posts
Blushing bee
I was given quite a large diamond, but if I had picked it out myself (or had anything to do with the stone choosing process) I would have chosen a gemstone. It’s just more unique. Not that I don’t love my ring- I do! It just wouldn’t have been my choice.
Post # 83
Member
18 posts
Newbee
I voted for the smaller diamond. In my family, rings are the traditional presents for “big” birthdays. For my 16th, I got the opal ring that my mom got on her 16th bday, and for my 21st I got my gorgeous pink saphire/diamond halo (below). While I love both, I wanted something that would be unique in comparison to what I was already wearing, and that turned out to be a diamond (below the below).
Post # 84
Member
122 posts
Blushing bee
@Merrywidow
you are right about red or pink saphires being rubies, but emeralds are emeralds and green saphires are green saphiers
this is nothing like the ring i’d like to get think i will prob have to buy a loose gem and have it custom made but just to give u an idea
Post # 85
Member
346 posts
Helper bee
We struggled with this as well. We were originally looking at diamond solitaires, but after shopping around town, realized there wasn’t much available in our budget. thankfully, I stumbled up on my current ring on pinterest and FELL. IN. LOVE. I had never even considered a non-diamond e-ring before that moment but immediately, I knew this needed to be the ring! To me, one who also loves her bling, if we couldn’t afford a decent .60-.75 ct diamond… then I’d rather have something that was defintely NOT a diamond and somewhat unique (IRL anyway). Hence the peach sapphire in rose gold 😉
At first, he took some convincing. He wasn’t big ont he center stone not being a diamond and the fact that it was less than $1000 …. he thought he needed to get me “more”. But I convinced him that this was THE RING.
Now that I have it, I know that even a 1ct diamond wouldn’t have made me this happy!
Good luck with your decision!
Post # 86
Member
112 posts
Blushing bee
I would have to say smaller ring with an actual diamond -or- gemstone ring. I looked at ashas & moissy rings, but just couldn’t fall in love with them for my engagement ring. I do have a pair moissy studs that I love for travel, though.
For my e-ring I wanted the center stone to be either a blue sapphire or a diamond, but I got the best of both: diamond center, sapphire side stones!
Post # 87
Member
1748 posts
Bumble bee
I’m kind of in between the options. I knew with a size 8 finger that I would need a bigger stone, not to mention that I have a nickle allergy and needed platinum. I wanted a stone over 1 carat. At one point my fiance mentioned not wanting to pay that much for a ring, after researching the cost of what I ideally wanted. For a bit I considered stacking bands. I would rather have several stacked bands with diamonds and/or other gems, than a tiny diamond or a non-diamond center-stone (no offense to those who have one, it’s my opinion). A good place to look for stackable rings, just to get ideas, is Tiffany’s celebration rings. You can actually manipulate the rings to create your perfect stack. I think the look is classic. And actually,Jennifer Garner is on the cover of InStyle this month and has several stacked bands and it looks great!
Post # 88
Member
732 posts
Busy bee
i LOVE me some diamonds.. although i think gemstone rings are beautiful, especially the ones i’ve seen on weddingbee. i don’t care for moissanites much, i have seen a few in person and the ones i’ve seen look pretty fake and don’t sparkle the way diamonds do.
Post # 89
Member
2142 posts
Buzzing bee
I’m decidedly against having a real diamond (and have told my Boyfriend or Best Friend this). I think it’s a waste of money when you can get a nicer/equally nice diamond alternative like moissy for a fraction of the price. I’m not sure if I’d rather have that or a gemstone, but definately not a real diamond. So if you feel that way too, I’d let your SO know, he can still spend over $1000 and get you a really nice ring, like maybe in a platinum setting that’s really fancy or something.
Post # 90
Member
486 posts
Helper bee
I’ve always said I prefer something smaller with a more interesting setting, something that makes it unique, rather than the biggest solitaire he could afford. You can definitely get the sparkle you want without a huge diamond. Halo settings are awesome for that.
Post # 91
Member
1211 posts
Bumble bee
Last year my bf gave me 2 different diamond rings. And I already had a sapphire and diamond ring. I just don’t care that my e-ring wont be diamonds I want BIG BLING and there is no way my bf could afford a 2ct center stone with an extra 2cts in the bands.
Funny story* when I as little my mom always told me that when I grew up if I ever gotengaged to ask my fiancé for a sapphire, emerald or ruby ring because they were more rare and diamonds are over rated and a dime a dozen. Oh mom, what wonderful advice.
Dont get me wrong though I loooooooove diamonds. “talk to me Harry Winston, tell me all about it!!”
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