Why does an engagement ring HAVE TO have a diamond?
Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008 | Weddings
It came to my attention more recently about the horrible conditions and how people are seriously exploited because of the diamond industry. My feelings toward my boyfriend getting me a diamond engagement ring have always been, well he doesnt have to get me a diamond..actually i love sapphires. but I have had plenty of women tell me that is unacceptable…that like diamonds are required…. but here is my question. Does it really matter that much? And if its such a requirement doesnt that make your engagement ring less unique???
thanks for the answers. I have a close italian family and i brought this up once and it caused an uproar lol. Oh well…while I am at it maybe i should get a hot pink wedding dress…i think im going to stick with the idea of a sapphire ring
25 Comments to Why does an engagement ring HAVE TO have a diamond?
No where does it say you have to have a diamond. It’s a tradition but it’s more to do with personal taste. I have a tanzanite. A friend of mine who recently married has a ruby with different accent stones. Some people skip the engagement ring altogether. There are no hard fast rules.
September 6, 2008
its not at all inappropiate to get a sapphire ring as an engagement ring. the ring is only a symbol of your commitment and love to each other..you get the kind of ring that you want. you will treasure it always and forever. alot of people are shying about from the diamond industry for the same reasons you are.
best of luck to you!!!!
September 8, 2008
no it doesnt matter. it should only be what you want. some people like HUGE rings and others dont. What about the people who only have bands. There is nothing wrong with that.
September 10, 2008
diamonds are in no way “required”…especially if you would rather have something else…i mean, you are the one who’s going to be wearing it for the rest of your life…
so,just make sure your special guy knows your preference.
September 12, 2008
Not at all. In fact America is the only country that uses the diamond.
Whether it be your taste or your social conscience, you getthe ring that YOU want.
Those ladies are full of it. Enjoy your sapphier engagement ring!
September 13, 2008
They don’t HAVE TO BE anything…they can be whatever you want them to be!!!! Why on earth would you think that?!? its 2007! Do what you WANT TO DO! No one will shun you because you have a sapphire and not a diamond. My mom has a sapphire wedding ring….it doesn’t mean any less!!
September 15, 2008
No! The only thing that matters is that you love the ring, I actually had seen some beautiful saphire rings. Tell those women to suck rocks.
September 18, 2008
No it is down to personal preference. So go ahead and choose Sapphire, I did .
September 20, 2008
Its YOUR ring, you can have it be anything you want it to be. Don’t let other people tell you what you want. Its just a silly tradition, thats ALL.
September 21, 2008
It doesn’t. Princess Diana had a ruby.
September 23, 2008
Its your ring & you will have to wear it so get whatever you want! There are no rules its just the diamond is tradition. I hope this helps. Good Luck! ![]()
September 23, 2008
Honestly, it doesn’t have to be diamonds in a ring. If you favor another stone over something else and your guy knows it, It’s better he gets the stone you like. Why? Because it’s more personal and unique in concideration to others out there. I got a diamond for my first engagement, it was splended, but it was very much like everyone else.
September 26, 2008
Technically, an engagement ring is not even necessary. As for the stone, it can be anything. Princess Di’s engagement ring was a big sapphire surrounded by little diamonds. The only people who tell you an engagement ring has to be a huge diamond are the jewelers and gullible people believe it. If you like diamonds, get one. If you prefer another stone, get another stone. The type of engagement ring you get has absolutely no bearing on how married you will be after you both say “I do.”
September 27, 2008
diamonds r not a requirement!!! it’s just one of those tradition things right along w/ the white dress. i think the idea of u receiving a sapphire engagement ring is very beautiful & unique. this is YOUR engagement & ultimately ur decision. i guarantee u ppl will want to know the love story behind the sapphire ring glowing on ur finger.
September 29, 2008
Sapphire or emerald rings are perfectly acceptable as an engagement ring. Communicate with your boyfriend and let him know that you prefer a sapphire ring. You will get a unique ring that you love and he will get to save money. What could be better than that?
October 1, 2008
It is your ring, your engagement…your choice on the stone. It does not have to be a diamond!
October 2, 2008
Yes you are right. Why just diamond?
As long as the love is pure, who will care about the price of the ring or the stone. It is the meaning of the ring between you and your bf that counts, nothing else.
Good luck.
October 2, 2008
It doesn’t *have* to have a diamond. It can be anything you want. There doesn’t even HAVE to be a ring at all - it is a personal preference, and is completely up to the couple. Traditionally, it is a diamond (I suspect, a “tradition” heavily promoted by the diamond industry) - but it is all up to you. I have a blue topaz engagement ring - I don’t like diamonds that much, and sky-blue is my favorite color for both clothing and jewelry. Well, duh, why would I get a ring I don’t like when I can have the one I like?
Yes, to be honest - I’ve been dubbed “eclectic” by many people; I’m not afraid to “break the mold” and “think outside the box” if it makes sense to me. If you are very concerned about what other people think, it’s best to stick with the “traditional” approach. My personal feeling is that trying to cater to everyone else’s ideas of what’s “proper” is a recipe for disappointment and unhappiness. I prefer to blaze my own path…
October 5, 2008
NOT A REQUIREMENT!
CONGRATS!
October 7, 2008
It doesn’t have to be a diamond…diamonds are too common anyway. Sapphire or ruby is the way to go.
October 11, 2008
You don’t have to have a diamond.
One of my friends many years ago wanted an emerald.
October 12, 2008
I love untraditional rings and a sapphire ring sounds perfect. I got a diamond engagement ring because I thought I was supposed to and then realized that I didn’t like everything that came with it - especially people making me feel like my rock wasn’t big enough. In the end, I got a claddagh ring.
Get your sapphire ring. If you don’t, you’ll regret it and end up getting a different ring later like I did.
October 14, 2008
I love Sapphires. Not much of a “diamond” girl. Don’t get me wrong, they are beautiful, but Sapphires are beyond beautiful. My birthstone and favorite shade of color. The band was also custum made to fit the ring. Made it very unique and not “orginal” as other engagment rings can be.
My fiance bought me my heart shaped sapphire from Isreal Jewlers in Isreal (where appraisal i over $3,000 for my ring, which he paid $1,000 for. US sells a little higher than apprasial. Bought directly from company cost less). All the jewlerey stores I been too complimented and wanted to know where I got it from. The place that resized my ring even contact them to discuss potential business deals as they found it was unique.
You don’t have to go by the “traditional” diamond ring. No matter what others say.
My custom made wedding band will also be sapphires too.
October 17, 2008
they don’t have to!!!! people just overexaggerate them because since they’re so hard, they last long. personally, i think they’re boring and ugly…which is why my ring has garnet!!! for the month my fiance and i started dating. if you love sapphires, have a sapphire ring!!! it would be beautiful i think!! it doesn’t matter what the stone is, or even if there is a stone. it’s the thought that counts!! and the meaning behind the ring! have a personal, sapphire one!!! it’ll be special to you and your intended!!
October 20, 2008
I think sapphires are a great way to go. However, if you are trying to make an ethical choice, understand that the sapphire industry is smaller, but not necessarily more ethical than the diamond industry. It just hasn’t yet gotten the media attention that diamonds have. It is generally safe to assume that any corner of the gem industry is exploiting people if they are working in poor countries, unless you have specifically sought out proactive fairtrade jewelers. Trying to find a diamond, sapphire, ruby or whatever that was DEFINITELY obtained under safe mining conditions, with fair wages and no child labor (particularly important to me), is extremely difficult. Sucks. What is WRONG with people?!
Engagement rings need not always contain diamonds. Popular trends include using gemstones as sidestones as well as other precious stones.
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