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Diamond Alternatives
By Carly Wickell,
If you think engagement rings must always contain diamonds,
think again. I'm pleased to share the following advice about alternative
choices for your engagement ring.
My guest is
Antoinette Matlins, P.G., gem and jewelry expert and author of many books,
including: "Engagement & Wedding Rings: The Definitive Buying Guide
For People in Love!" Published by GemStone Press, Woodstock, VT.
Break
away from modern tradition and choose something other than a diamond engagement
ring. Ms. Matlins offers some tips.
A young man recently
asked me a question that really got my attention. He wanted to "pop the
question" but couldn't afford a diamond. Nonetheless, he wanted to mark
the moment with a ring and asked about buying an imitation CZ or "synthetic
moissanite," the new diamond imitation that fools diamond testers.
Well, it may fool
some, but it will never fool her. Nor should you even try. For all you men out
there facing the same dilemma, take heart. Today there are many romantic, and
affordable, alternatives with which to create that special moment.
First, the most important thing
about an engagement ring is its symbolism. The ring itself is meant to
symbolize something beautiful, rare, and precious—like the love the couple
hopes to share for life. It doesn't have to be costly, and it doesn't have to
be a diamond ring (just take a look at the royal family—the Queen Mother, Queen
Elizabeth, Princess Anne and Princess Diana received sapphire engagement rings,
and Princess Sarah Ferguson, a ruby). It simply has to show thoughtfulness and
caring, and incorporate appropriate symbolism for the particular couple.
For example, there are many colored gemstones that have
historical associations to love. Red stones symbolize the heart, and thus, passion
and a zest for life. With red, one instantly thinks of ruby, but the same
symbolism can be conveyed very inexpensively with red garnet, or with a little
larger budget, red tourmaline, or for a little more, red spinel. All natural
gemstones, and all beautiful.
We can find similar
choices for green (which symbolizes faithfulness and continuity) where choices
include not only emerald, but green garnet or green tourmaline; for blue (which
symbolizes spirituality and purity) in addition to sapphire we have blue
spinel, iolite, and blue tourmaline. You might also combine whatever stone you
choose with a small diamond on each side, thereby completing the ring with the
symbolism of diamond, which, because of its unrivaled hardness was believed to
be indestructible.
And lets not forget
the gem that has been associated with love and with the wedding itself longer
than all others, the pearl; one might seek a natural pearl in an antique or
heirloom piece.
There is also a
tradition of using a birthstone in the ring--hers or his--something connected
to the couple in a very personal way, perhaps also combined with diamonds and
their symbolism.
So whatever the
budget, whatever the message, there are beautiful, rare, symbolic and precious
choices. Just as you've found the "real thing" in your bride-to-be,
go for the real thing in the ring you select. You can get her a CZ for the
anniversary!
About the Author
Antoinette L.
Matlins, P.G., is an internationally respected gem and jewelry expert, author,
and lecturer. Her books are widely used throughout the world by consumers and
professionals in the gem and jewelry field alike.
Editor of National
Jeweler magazine for almost a decade, her articles and comments on buying and
selling gems, jewelry, and gem investment have appeared in many national and
international consumer and trade publications.
Trained by her father
and co-author; Antonio Bonanno, she has gained wide recognition as a dedicated
consumer advocate. Ms. Matlins has spearheaded the Accredited Gemologists
Association's nationwide campaign against gemstone investment telemarketing
scams. She has been seen on ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN, educating consumers about
gems and jewelry and exposing fraud.
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