I find myself less and less interested in having both an e-ring and a wedding band at the same time. Is there a practical, non-ceremonial purpose to this that I don't know about?
Now that we no longer live in the days of dowries, bride-prices, and the wife's jewelry being her insurance policy in case of needing to flee the relationship suddenly, no, there isn't, it's just ceremonial (and to support the jewelers).
(sorry 'bout the multiple comments, having a hard time getting the comment at the right thread)
I disagree. Traditionally, the ring is neither a dowry nor a bride pride, but a sign of security, assuring an easily tradable commodity available for liquidation should the family fall on hard times. I have no opinion on whether it should be the bride or the groom that presents the expensive jewelry to the other, actually I would assume that it would realistically be a joint agreement-regardless who wears it, the initial cost impacts the financial state of the marrying couple as a unit. And the reserve it represents are there to help them both.
In India (among the classes that can afford it), a groom must present his bride with a great deal of gold jewelry prior to the wedding. This "Gold Ceremony" is understood to be the family reserve. The culture discourages marrying without it as the family will be more at risk.
I seriously considered all this before choosing to ask for a diamond. I never expected to get emotionally attached to this ring. Even though I have, I am ready to give it up any time our family needs me to.
Yow! That's an awful lot of non-producing asset to be holding onto. To say nothing of the discount you'll take on it if you do ever need to resell it..
We didn't bother with rings. B bought me an engagement car (to replace the one I smushed), and I bought him a Wii.
We eventually bought each other some rings, separately, but they were presents, not at any particular time or occasion.
for gemstones, I'm a fan of lab-created gems. My ring is a lab-created emerald. I'm not sure what the availability of non-industrial lab-created diamonds are. Upon Googling for lab-created diamond jewelry, this was the first link. Although I'm not a fan for their choice of marketing text on the first page (I'm proud of my ring's gemstone origins!), it shows that they are available from between $200-$1150 (with the vast majority being under $400) just from this jeweler, for solitaires).
And is basically getting the setting with a cubic zirconia - TO START. But purchasing the setting with the idea in 5 - 10 years it will get replaced with a nice diamond. SO, making sure it would be affordable to do that etc. Using the diamond purchase as an anniversary idea.
I think diamond rings are ridiculous - but I thought this was a nice compromise to be able to purchase a pretty setting early on and then on a special occasion upgrade to a diamond (and also spread out the cost a bit).
I'll suggest looking at a white sapphire. They're dirt cheap synthetic but much harder than cubic zirconia so they won't dull as fast. It doesn't have the dispersion of a good diamond, but then neither does cubic zirconia.
I recommend Wenric's in San Jose. They are a jewelry supply store but also do a lot of repair and custom work. They also carry many unusual stones and they are reasonable in pricing, they made my wedding band.
As for a stone, white sapphire, white topaz and mossinite are good substitutes, but they will not have the brilliance of a diamond. There are lab created diamonds out there also that are not cubic zircon. You could also look into old mined diamonds, these are diamonds that are about 100 years old or older.
Just remember to get something you like, you are the one who has to wear it.
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Now that we no longer live in the days of dowries, bride-prices, and the wife's jewelry being her insurance policy in case of needing to flee the relationship suddenly, no, there isn't, it's just ceremonial (and to support the jewelers).
(sorry 'bout the multiple comments, having a hard time getting the comment at the right thread)
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In India (among the classes that can afford it), a groom must present his bride with a great deal of gold jewelry prior to the wedding. This "Gold Ceremony" is understood to be the family reserve. The culture discourages marrying without it as the family will be more at risk.
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We eventually bought each other some rings, separately, but they were presents, not at any particular time or occasion.
for gemstones, I'm a fan of lab-created gems. My ring is a lab-created emerald. I'm not sure what the availability of non-industrial lab-created diamonds are. Upon Googling for lab-created diamond jewelry, this was the first link. Although I'm not a fan for their choice of marketing text on the first page (I'm proud of my ring's gemstone origins!), it shows that they are available from between $200-$1150 (with the vast majority being under $400) just from this jeweler, for solitaires).
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http://www.tacori.com/
And is basically getting the setting with a cubic zirconia - TO START. But purchasing the setting with the idea in 5 - 10 years it will get replaced with a nice diamond. SO, making sure it would be affordable to do that etc. Using the diamond purchase as an anniversary idea.
I think diamond rings are ridiculous - but I thought this was a nice compromise to be able to purchase a pretty setting early on and then on a special occasion upgrade to a diamond (and also spread out the cost a bit).
Reply
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As for a stone, white sapphire, white topaz and mossinite are good substitutes, but they will not have the brilliance of a diamond. There are lab created diamonds out there also that are not cubic zircon. You could also look into old mined diamonds, these are diamonds that are about 100 years old or older.
Just remember to get something you like, you are the one who has to wear it.
Reply
I don't think they have rose-gold settings, but they're highly recommended. (And C's ring is gorgeous!)
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