Deciding to spend the rest of your life with someone is one of the most significant decisions you’ll ever make. Marrying the right person is key to having a happy and successful life. And though many women are putting off engagement, marriage, and child-rearing longer than they have historically, it’s still a part of life that many of us want. Finding an engagement ring that suits our style and our partner’s budget is critical when we decide that we’re ready to take that next step.
If you’re in the type of relationship where you can share what you’re looking for in a ring and don’t need the engagement ring style to be a total surprise (which is common, by the way), then choosing your style takes some educating on your end. Let’s take a look at some popular engagement ring styles and what you should take into consideration while looking for your dream ring.
Ethical Decisions
While it’s no secret that most earth-mined diamonds come with many ethical dilemmas, you have to decide if this is a deal-breaker for you. Many people these days choose instead to go with lab-grown diamonds. Not only do lab-grown diamonds look just like their earth-mined counterparts, but they are also so indistinguishable from earth-mined that gemologists and jewelers need a specific machine to distinguish between the two. Lab-grown diamonds are also slightly more affordable than natural diamonds, so that’s something to consider as well.
Diamond Alternatives
The days when your only diamond alternative is the Cubic Zirconia are long gone. Today the most popular diamond alternative is Moissanite. Moissanite sparkles and throws flashes of light the same as a genuine diamond at a considerable cost difference from natural and lab-grown diamonds. While it’s gained a lot of traction as a preferred engagement ring stone in the last few years, it’s still expensive but not the cost of a precious stone like a diamond. Moissanite is worth considering if your dream ring is several carats as its price point is so attractive. With its classic diamond look, it pairs beautifully with any of the wedding rings you and your partner decide to go with.
Unconventional Stones
A lot of women these days opt for completely untraditional center stones when it comes to their engagement rings. Some popular alternatives to your conventional diamonds are birthstones, which are hugely sentimental, to be honest. If you’re born in a month where your birthstone is an emerald, ruby, or sapphire, you could be looking at an incredibly expensive engagement ring. Still, its romanticism and sentimentality make it worth it.
You can also opt for moonstones, pearls, even turquoise. If you and your partner are severely constricted by a budget, not only are these alternatives an affordable option, but these rings can be worn on other fingers if you do an upgrade in the future — not that you need to!
Morganite
If you’re into peaches and pinks when it comes to your esthetic, enter the incredibly feminine Morganite. Morganite comes in a variety of hues and is on the same price level as Moissanite. If you think you’re interested in a rose gold engagement setting and band, Morganite is an excellent choice as its coloring pairs perfectly with that color setting. These stones also look gorgeous flanked with smaller diamonds either in a halo around the center stone or as the side stones in a three-stone setting.
Go Bespoke
If you’ve searched high and low and still can’t find the ring of your dreams locally or online, it’s worth it to reach out to jewelers and have your ring designed for you. Maybe you have a specific style and setting in mind and need their help to make your dream a reality. While bespoke rings will be more costly than those ready to go in-store, this is a piece of jewelry you’ll wear for the rest of your life, so you need to love it. Additionally, it’s a fun and bonding experience to design your ring alongside your partner.
Engagement rings are never going out of style, and they’re a symbol of love and commitment along with the wedding band. Making sure you find one that you’ll love forever is essential. So, let the styles mentioned earlier be a jumping-off point on your quest towards your dream ring. Happy hunting and congratulations!
