Fake Diamond Wedding Ring

Updated on October 04, 2011
C.M. asks from Bartlett, IL
45 answers

Back when I got married we didn't have a lot of money and we chose to spend what money we had on a small ceremony, reception and short honeymoon. We got inexpensive, but meaningful, wedding bands made of sterling silver.

It's now been 5 years and the wedding bands haven't held up very well. Sterling silver is a soft metal so our bands are nicked and bent out of shape from wearing them everyday.

At this time, our financial situation has improved but not enough to spend a lot of money on new wedding bands. For our upcoming anniversary we'd like to buy new wedding bands, but can only afford maybe $100-$200 a piece.

My husband really likes the titanium wedding bands, they come in some neat designs. I'd really like something girlie and sparkly, but the only rings that I like that we can afford have "simulated diamonds" aka "fake diamonds" or "cubic zirconias." The one I really like has a blue sapphire in the middle and simulated diamonds on the sides. I've also found some with white sapphires. There are also some pretty rings with simulated diamonds as the center stone. They sparkle like diamonds on the finger, but they aren't real.

I personally don't care if my diamonds are "real" or not but part of me feels weird about it...as if I'm carrying around a fake designer purse. If people say "oh, what a pretty diamond ring" am I supposed to say "thanks, but it's not real?" Or just smile and say "thank you." My co-workers are they type to notice things and of when one of our co-workers got engaged they made a big deal about the pretty diamond engagement ring on the girls' finger. I would feel embarrassed if they made a similar deal about a new ring that I had if they're thinking it' diamonds and they are not.

For right now I just want a pretty ring to wear on my wedding finger that is a symbol of love from my husband. Something we can afford, and something that's nice.

What would you do?

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So What Happened?

Wow ladies, thanks for all the encouragement and the tips! I didn't know the difference between a simulated diamond and a CZ but now I do! I showed my husband some of the websites and he got excited too looking at all the nice AFFORDABLE jewelry :) We're both excited to get something that looks nice :)

Oh, and I looked at all the websites and I fell in love with this ring: http://www.diamondnexuslabs.com/havana-p-2402.html Beautiful simulated diamond, perfect price!

Featured Answers

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J.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

Lots of women do cubics. I have plenty of real diamonds and plenty of cubics. I wear them together and no one notices the difference. If someone asks me if it's real, I always say yes. LOL Real what???? It's not imaginary.

Try www.ziamond.com have fun! The best part of cubics are that you never have to worry about them. I wear them on vacation a lot.

7 moms found this helpful
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E.M.

answers from Honolulu on

Personally I hate diamonds, so the sapphire sounds lovely.

Also, the ring is real, they are not saying "nice diamond" they are saying " nice ring" and well it isn't like the ring is all in their imagination, it is real!

3 moms found this helpful

V.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

With the risk of sounding sappy...

To me, a ring isn't about the diamond being real or fake or about how big the diamond is... It's a symbol of love. If you like the ring, get it and tell everyone else to keep their eyes on their own fingers!

2 moms found this helpful

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T.C.

answers from Colorado Springs on

Sweetie, stop worrying about what other people think. Do what you want.

6 moms found this helpful
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H.P.

answers from New York on

Go to QVC and check out their Diamonique rings...you would never know they are fake. I bought a 2 carat ring from them so I could have some flashy bling on my finger for a reunion and it cost $75. I took it to be cleaned with my wedding set and it took the jeweler about 5-8 minutes to determine that it wasn't real. Real or fake...it's the meaning that matters.

4 moms found this helpful
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M.M.

answers from Lake Charles on

First off "simulated diamonds" are not fake diamonds. They undergo the same exact chemical process as mined diamonds just in a lab and in a shorter amount of time.. good quality lab (simulated) diamonds come with all the paperwork that a high quality mined diamond does and someone didn't get their arm cut off for it. I have a big issue with the diamond trade and I think that lab created diamonds are amazing. I found out after my husband had bought my engagement ring and as bad as I feel about where the diamond came from I feel I couldn't part with something he worked so hard to get me.. He did get me a diamond necklace for christmas and I insisted it be a simulated diamond because we went to every jewelry store we could find and NONE could guarantee they weren't blood diamonds. When people compliment me on my necklace and they say "what a beautiful diamond" I say "thank you!" because it is a beautiful diamond. It's a carat and a half and it's flawless and colorless, you're talking about a 10-20K diamond if you went to a jeweler (at least) and he only paid about 4-5K for it.. the nice one's aren't cheap, they are however cheaper. There's a company that's been blowing up that is probably one of the best labs for the simulated diamonds, diamond nexus labs.. go check out their website, read their process and look at the testimonials. I've had my necklace brought to a jeweler to clean and get the prongs checked and the jeweler complemented on how beautiful a diamond it was, so I'm pretty sure if a jeweler looking at it can't tell it's not a mined diamond without doing a light test (the only way to tell) then any of the ladies at work will have no clue.

And there's a HUGE difference between CZ and a lab diamond, the CZ just looks tacky and you can tell from a mile off it's not real. Do some research on lab diamonds, I promise if you find a good lab you will NOT feel like it's fake one bit (of course because it's not..). Good luck.

4 moms found this helpful
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L.K.

answers from Boise on

buy what makes you happy and what you can afford and when someone compliments you smile and say "thank you!" No more explanation is needed.....enjoy your new ring(s).

3 moms found this helpful

L.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I am all for choosing the style you love, even if it's not 'real' diamonds, and wearing it proudly. :)

I wouldn't worry too much about what people might think or say... you may get a few people who notice, but once they've given you their compliment, it is unlikely they'll mention it again... so just go through the motions initially, just saying "oh, thank you!" when someone compliments you, and smile knowing you have this ring that you love to symbolize your marriage.

As an aside, my husband has a tungsten carbide ring, and he is a hard working manly man, aka NEVER has clean hands. Even when they're clean, they still carry that forever dirt around! LOL And his ring is holding up nicely to all the beatings he puts it through... might be something to consider, especially if your man works with his hands... tungsten carbide is very close to diamond on the harndess scale, which is one of the reasons we chose it for my husband... And as with titanium, there are lots of cool styles and inlays to choose from, and they can be VERY inexpensive. Truth be told, my husband paid $40 for his through Sears online... we figured with all the damage he's likely to do to it, it wouldn't be a big deal to replace it if/when we need to at $40 bucks a pop! And any ring, with the stuff he does, would wear quickly, so we saw no reason to spend a bundle. But so far so good with his ring!

Have fun choosing, and YES, choose a ring you love and don't even think about whether the stones are real or not. Just enjoy it for it's beauty! Anyone who would actually ASK if it's real, well, that says something about that person, so I'd just say, "what a silly question" and walk away!

ETA -- OOOOHHHH, yes, DO check out Diamonique from QVC, or the Absolute line of jewelry from HSN... both are really good quality simulated diamonds that do look very believable... I have some of both and love them! And they're not very expensive... definitely worth a look!

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M.P.

answers from Portland on

It is so rude to ask if a stone is real or not. That person doesn't deserve an answer. Smile and say yes or if you're the sort who would feel guilty for the lie just smile. As someone else said, it is a real ring. chuckle It's none of anyone's business.

I have a friend who doesn't wear her diamond because she's afraid someone will mug her for it. I've not seen it but was told it's a carat. So she wears a cubic zirconium in a gold setting. I saw the cubic zirconium and couldn't tell the difference. It's just as pretty as any diamond.

Princess Di had a blue stone in her ring. I think it may be a blue sapphire. In the pictures it doesn't look very large. It's surrounded by small diamonds, I think. It's not catchy or show offy at all and people love it. One company has made a knock off that's sold via mail order.

I lost my diamond ring and so we bought a ring at costco that has a smaller diamond in it of less clarity. I think it was around $200. I'm in favor of buying what one can afford and like and wearing it proudly.

2 moms found this helpful

M.P.

answers from Provo on

HAHAHA!! Your fake designer purse reminds me of my friend who actually flaunts her CZ ring. She loves it! Especially since she was able to spend the extra money on her and her hubby.
I always figured I would get a fake diamond myself and then let my husband surprise me in the future with a real one when we could afford it. But then again, I'm not married now so who knows if that will happen. lol
I think to get a great band that will not wear down with time, getting the CZ is the best thing, and you said so yourself you don't mind. Get it! It doesn't matter if you get a real one or not because YOU LOVE YOUR HUSBAND!!! That is all that really matters :D Plus you'd be getting EXACTLY what you want and not what you could afford. Do it an you wont regret it.

2 moms found this helpful

C.J.

answers from Milwaukee on

I ring REALLY doesn't make you MARRIED but it sure does help. LOL!

Anyway...I have worked in fine jewelry in a past life for a looong time. I had customers go ON AND ON about how BIG their diamond HAS to be only to see them two years later after the DIVORCE.

There were customers that had beautiful things but supplemented with "summer" jewelry. Some are real, some are not. :)

I think its RUDE to ask if something is real. Yes, IT'S REAL...you can SEE it right? No need to give an explanation. PRETTY IS PRETTY!

If you go with something not set in gold or platinum you should take it off when doing housework. Often the silver tone will wear off of the stones will cloud up from cleaning chemicals.

I REALLY LOVE this site.

www.inspiredsilver.com

You can even find free shipping codes on-line so check that out before ordering. I have MANY things from them and mix them in with my "real" stuff and NOBODY knows. It's all how you carry yourself.

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C.B.

answers from Madison on

I'm all for buying what you like, real or not, who cares!? Also just another idea, have you checked Craigslist? Many people sell diamond rings on there for a fraction of the price! If you don't mind it being a "used" ring, it might be an idea. Also, there are a lot of "new" rings on there too...engagements that fell through, etc.

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K.P.

answers from New York on

No one will ask if it's real- unless you get something that is huge and clearly out of your budget, then they will be surprised and ask.

Otherwise, get what you like and enjoy! If someone compliments your ring (your female friends will notice the sprarkle), just thank them and move on. No need to share!

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K.U.

answers from Detroit on

I would just wear what you want to wear, and if someone compliments you about the pretty "diamond" ring, just say thank you. I don't see a need to correct them - it's not really any of their business anyway.

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P.G.

answers from Dallas on

Just say thanks, :) I have a garnet with 4 tiny diamond chips. My hubby thinks its funny that I'm a non-diamond girl. To me, it's the emotion that counts - the stone doesn't matter. Get what makes you smile. Generally I would think people will say "nice ring" as opposed to "nice diamond ring", and it IS a nice ring, so you can say thanks without feeling wierd :)

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R.C.

answers from Chicago on

I used to be a jeweler and am actually a certified Diamontoligist. I can tell you this, unless the stones are hugely fake, no one without a scope or a loop will be able to tell they are fake, and then they still may not even be able to tell. Why on earth would you offer it up? If they say they like it, accept the compliment and move on. Get something real gold or platinum that will last, and most importantly is a symbol of your love with your husband. Who really cares if the stones are real or not? Good quality C.Z. will last a very long time, and if the mounting is real, you could replace the stone/stones over time.

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C.N.

answers from Baton Rouge on

Just say "thank you" if someone compliments your jewelry (or your purse, or your jeans, etc). They don't need to know it's history or see the receipt, and being fake doesn' t make it any less pretty.

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R.H.

answers from Boston on

If people asked I would probably just be honest about it, because there is nothing to be ashamed of. I'm actually horrified that I did not think things through more when we bought our rings. I wish I had opted for something other than diamonds, considering the state of the diamond trade. I wasnt' aware of stuff like that back then. At this point I'm a little ashamed to be wearing diamonds. I think it's great that people are starting to steer away from diamonds. I know a woman who wears a simple jade ring, as does her husband. Your love and commitment are what matters. I think it's ok to tell people hey, our old rings were getting beat up so we decided to get some new ones. The benefit of having cheaper rings is that you can buy something different every 5 years or so without breaking the bank. I'm stuck with the design I chose years ago.

1 mom found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

If you find a CZ that you love, it is reasonable, then get it and wear it with pride.

I've had people ask me if my diamond was real. I just look at them with this odd look like "I can't believe you just asked that". Would you believe this? I've also had women ask me if my boobs are real and who is my plastic surgeon!!

My diamond is as real as they get. It happens to be a solitare, very large and I am well insured at the tune of about $1000 extra per year. I know some snarky women have said something regarding it being fake but what matters to me is what is between my husband and myself.

As for the boobs, I have just laughed at that one. I am very petite, and I have perky natural 34DD's. I just came from a good gene pool. The funniest story is when a neighbor was asking me how hard it is to overcome surgery. I had had a hysterectomy and I was talking about how fantastic it was. Finally, she said, I mean your boob job. At that point my jaw dropped.. she was about to get implants and wanted to know what to expect. I told her I couldn't help her in that department!!

You do what you and your hubby like and don't worry about others and what they think. You don't owe anyone any explanations....

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B.C.

answers from Tampa on

After our engagement we went back to the diamond district to complete the paper work to have the ring apprised and insured. The representative told us that in order to appraise a diamond you need to use a special magnifying glass, so unless someone has a magnifying glass they will not know :) It's crazy to me to have a ring worth as much as a house. Honestly for my fist anniversary I wanted something the same emreland cut diamond but smaller nothing bigger than 2 karats. I wear the baby daily and the disco ball for special occasions. I would not purchase a diamond without proper certification because of the diamond trade.

1 mom found this helpful

L.C.

answers from Washington DC on

I have friends who just wear plain gold bands. They always look lovely. I happen to have a solitaire diamond engagement ring, but my wedding band - plain thin gold - was $20. :-)
Get what you want to wear. Nobody will ask if the stones are real and if they do, you answer them with, "Why would you ask such a question?" and walk away.
LBC

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M.R.

answers from Rochester on

Get a pretty ring. Silly question! :)

You don't have to answer what it is, or volunteer unless you want to. If I saw a pretty ring and thought it was a diamond and someone said it wasn't, I'd probably still think it was a really pretty ring and just cool that it looks so real.

My engagement ring is an opal in a gold setting with some tiny (very tiny!) little diamonds. I'm pretty sure they're real, but to be honest, I never asked my husband. I don't really care, I love my ring. My wedding band is gold, too, and getting a bit beaten up. I don't see anything wrong with slowly upgrading your rings for a while. We've been married seven and a half years and I expect I'll have to replace my ring someday. I have to take it on and off all the time since opals are soft and it wears on it more.

Have fun shopping and enjoy wearing your new rings!!!

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A.G.

answers from Las Cruces on

Get what you can afford. It doesnt really matter if its real or not. As long as you love it. And if someone compliments your ring, just say thanks!

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H.L.

answers from Houston on

Nobody's business. If they assume that it is diamond, that has nothing to do with you, and you have no obligation to tell them otherwise. If they say that it's pretty, just thank them and keep moving. You aren't being fake; you just don't owe anybody any explanation. If someone asks you how you can afford it, they are crossing the line. You don't owe them an explanation.

One thing that I think is rude is for people to look at your jewelry like they are appraising it. When I got engaged, some people would hold my hand and look at my ring from different angles for extended periods of time, and I would pull my hand away.

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S.E.

answers from Chicago on

I think it's wonderful, loving and smart that you are happy and willing to do what's within your budget. Many women aren't! You should get whatever ring you brings you joy and wear it with pride. It's a symbol of your love and commitment, not price point. You do not have to justify or divulge whether the diamond is "real" or not to anyone. If you get a compliment, just say, "Thank you! I love it too!" There's a lot of controversy about real diamonds anyway -- that the way many are mined in Africa is inhumane. So, maybe you are doing something good for the world by going with an imitation!:-) My only advice would be to keep the "diamonds" on the smaller side - a big huge 4 carat fake will look fake unless you're spending tons of money on a really well done imitation. Find something you think is beautiful and love wearing it every day with pride! Happy Anniversary!

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C.F.

answers from Chicago on

Get what you like and when people give you a complement say thank you. If they ask and only if you are comfortable tell them but normally stranges that give a complement will not ask if it is real or not. Some of the CZ are so good that you really can't tell at all. Many famous stars wear CZ's because if they are stolen they really haven't lost a lot.

1 mom found this helpful

R.B.

answers from La Crosse on

When I found the ring I loved I didn't look to see if it was a real diamond or CZ. Then I looked at the price and knew what one it was right away. It was CZ. But I loved the ring, it doesn't matter to me. My hubby felt guilty that it wasn't a real one... as I explained to him... I love you, I love the ring... My love for you is real and the ring is also real, a real CZ.

When looking for his ring... we went to ebay. When he found a ring he liked and wanted... it was only a $1 and then $8 shipping. We spent $10 on his ring with tax.

To answer your question about thinking its diamond... let them think what they want and just thank them for complimenting on your ring. Wear it proudly as a symbol of you and your hubby's love!

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Shop at local pawn shops, you get much much more for your dollar there. Also, if you save a few more months you could get the stones and rings you could really like and be able to wear doing dishes and other activities.

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J.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

im the same way :) i told my husband that i didnt want over a carat since it would over power my hand and i really wouldnt care if it was just a 1/16 th of a carat because it was the meaning behind the ring that i loved. i absolutely love my great grandmas wedding band that was a thin gold band with a gold squared with a heart on it and in the middle of the hear was a tiny little diamond. it was very modest and lasted through like 70 years of marriage.
as for people complimenting the ring just smile and say thank you. you dont need to explain yourself. if your happy with it then thats all that matters ;) rock that ring no matter if it is real or fake ;)

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C.G.

answers from Chicago on

Do you ever watch QVC? Well I watch it all the time and one of their super cute hosts, Amy Strahn (sp?) has a BEAUTIFUL wedding ring. I notice it every time she is on, it is amazing. One day, she starting promoting a Diamonique (simulated diamonds) show that was coming up on the channel, and she very nonchalantly and proudly said "because as you all know, my ring is Diamonique". I have heard her mention it other times too, as she says her ring is the number one thing she gets complimented on.

Bottom line, it only matters what YOU think. If you're proud of it, feel free to tell them it's not real! If you don't feel like advertising it, then know that you also don't owe it to them to tell them it's fake. Listen, I color my hair because it is starting to go gray. When someone compliments my hair, I don't say, "thanks - but you know it's colored." I simply say, "thank you." But there have been times people ask if I color it, and I tell them I do because it honestly doesn't bother me. Besides, usually people don't say "what a beautiful diamond you have" they say "what a beautiful ring you have". If it's a beautiful ring, then it's a beautiful ring! Doesn't matter if the diamond is real or not. And you aren't hiding anything by just saying "why, thank you!" And btw, I still lust after Amy's ring on QVC, even though I know it is fake!

Not sure if this is helpful or not, but in the end do what makes you happy! You don't owe the rest of the world anything when it comes to your wedding ring. And check out this Diamonique thing - the rings are very affordable and really gorgeous. They look just like the real deal! Happy shopping!

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A.G.

answers from Houston on

My husband and I picked mine out at a pawn shop (we were very broke too) I ended up getting 24 k gold engagement band with three lovely diamonds for 175. I love this ring. He has since tried to get me to buy a new one but this one actually means more. Im not really that materialistic anyway. he got me a locket instead.

But pawn shops, in a pinch, are good places to get nice jewelry cheap.

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K..

answers from Phoenix on

Thank goodness... someone else like me :-) The truth is that I lost my original wedding ring. I loved it, but since I already lost one, I don't really feel the need to buy another pricey "thing" to signify that I love my DH & that we are married. I was always uncomfortable having something so expensive on my person all day, every day. Right now I have the band, still, but I'm not rushing out for a replacement.

After getting educated on where diamonds come from, how they are cultivated, I cannot own another one in my lifetime. The diamond companies have created a false sense of rarity in diamonds, when that is simply not the case. Because people think they are rare, they overpay for something there is an over abundance of, all to impress their family & friends. People - kids - are dying so we can have our precious gem.

Sorry for the rant... I'm sure you can see what I'm going to say. Are you living for yourself or for other people? Who give a flying flip what others think. Get what's in your budget & that you think is pretty.

P.O.

answers from Tampa on

check out www.hsn.com - I got an extremely beautiful moissanite ring, I intentionaaly looked for diamond alternatives and moissanite was by far the best, it's even more brilliant and fiery than a diamond. www.hsn.com also has great sets in many different price ranges.

As for my wedding band - I found the perfect match at Sam's Club!

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J.G.

answers from Rockford on

I haven't had a chance to look through all the answers yet, but I just wanted to say that another thing you would want to look into is synthetic diamonds. "Synthetic" means that it was grown in a lab. It still has the same chemical and optical properties as a mined diamond, they just didn't have to mine it, and it will always be flawless, and much MUCH less expensive. I have a ring with lab grown diamonds in it, and a blue Spinel for my wedding set personally. Don't forget to check ebay. Oh! and also check out jtv.com (Jewelry Television) they have some good deals on pretty jewelry.

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R.B.

answers from Chicago on

What if you got a nice wedding band now and then added the fancy "engagement-type" ring with all the diamonds and sparklies later on when it's more economically feasible (like for another monumental anniversary like your 10th or 25th)? You could even get a pretty fancy, engraved-with-designs, wedding band that doesn't include the pricey diamonds, then get your sparkly ring later to match!

I have both the plain wedding band that's just gold that was probably $90 and the budget-busting engagement ring that my now-husband spent quite a while saving up for (and paying off after the fact). More often than not, I only wear my band. That's what signifies my wedding and marriage more than the engagement ring because the band is the one I got on me wedding day, blessed by God and given to me in front on my friends and family. Plus, since I do a lot of physical stuff during the day, I don't want my sparkly ring to get damaged (and my center stone got loose somehow and I'd hate to lose it before I can get it fixed!).

In the end, it's entirely up to you and what you're comfortable with. It doesn't sound like you are overly comfortable socially with the idea of fake diamonds and if that's the case, you don't have to do it. Find another solution that you are comfortable with that you and your husband agree on and most of all...above and beyond the rings...LOVE EACH OTHER (!! :) :)

Updated

What if you got a nice wedding band now and then added the fancy "engagement-type" ring with all the diamonds and sparklies later on when it's more economically feasible (like for another monumental anniversary like your 10th or 25th)? You could even get a pretty fancy, engraved-with-designs, wedding band that doesn't include the pricey diamonds, then get your sparkly ring later to match!

I have both the plain wedding band that's just gold that was probably $90 and the budget-busting engagement ring that my now-husband spent quite a while saving up for (and paying off after the fact). More often than not, I only wear my band. That's what signifies my wedding and marriage more than the engagement ring because the band is the one I got on me wedding day, blessed by God and given to me in front on my friends and family. Plus, since I do a lot of physical stuff during the day, I don't want my sparkly ring to get damaged (and my center stone got loose somehow and I'd hate to lose it before I can get it fixed!).

In the end, it's entirely up to you and what you're comfortable with. It doesn't sound like you are overly comfortable socially with the idea of fake diamonds and if that's the case, you don't have to do it. Find another solution that you are comfortable with that you and your husband agree on and most of all...above and beyond the rings...LOVE EACH OTHER (and congrats on the anniversary)!! :) :)

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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

Check out JCP.com. They have some awesome prices right now on diamond rings. Hubby and I got our gold bands there for $60 a piece. They've held up well for 14y.

Found this beautiful diamond ring
http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?GrpTyp=PRD&ItemID...

To see the whole list
http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/XGN.aspx?deptid=70737&dep...

You could also check in pawn shops. My friends found some NICE gold rings and the engangement ring there at good prices. They also tend to have some estate jewlery. One friend bought an estate piece with a beautiful sapphire that the pawn shop told her was lab created, but she had it appraised anyway and it turns out its real!

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J.S.

answers from Chicago on

Hummm.... I'd try buying a REALLY cheap fake ring first (like something that's just $10), wear it and don't tell anyone. See if anyone at work notices. If they do, just say "oh, it's just a fun piece of costume jewelry". Then you'll know that they will indeed notice your new ring. But my guess is that if you don't say anything, no one will ever notice. If no one notices the fake fake ring, then go ahead and get your nice "fake" ring and wear it proudly without telling anyone. I've personally never heard anyone say "oh, what a nice diamond ring"... they just say "oh, what a nice ring", to which you just say "thank you". I like the idea of the white sapphires if you're nervous about the "fake" aspect. That way if someone says something you can say "oh, actually they're white sapphires" very proudly.

L.W.

answers from Chicago on

Just had to respond and throw my vote in there for QVC's Diamonique and HSN's Absolute jewelry. When my husband & I got married 18yrs. ago we didn't have money for really expensive rings, so I got a simulated diamond ring from QVC (diamonique). Everyone at work kept grabbing my hand saying how beautiful my ring was. I still have that ring (along with at least 15 others) and it's still just as beautiful as ever! I still get compliments on it all the time.

F.H.

answers from Phoenix on

I have a large diamond engagement and wedding ring that was very expensive my my smart husband bought it on clearance at 75% off. I do have a 'fake' set that I wear when we travel. When I get compliments on my real rings, at first I always felt compelled to say "thanks, my husband got a GREAT DEAL on them" like I was embarrassed to think people thought we would actually pay so much for them (they are over 3 carots). But then someone told me not to do that and to just be proud of them and say "thank you" which I do now. I also get compliments on my fake set and I say "thank you" during those times too. So if I were you I would shop around for some rings with "real" diamonds and you could probably find a really nice set for the price you want to pay. If you don't, the cubics are made really well now and look real (as long as they aren't too big) so you could get them too. I would just them in a gold setting, they will last longer. Good luck with whatever you decide to do! =)

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D.K.

answers from Chicago on

Get the ring you like. I don't buy diamonds becuase I have read so many terrible things about diamond mining. I know that now they say there are mines where the workers are treated well, etc. But I don't know that I trust that. I have a diamond engagement ring only because my husband's grandmother left him her diamond and so it has sentimental value to my husband. I know multiple women who have other jewels in their engagement rings and they are beautiful.

Good Luck,
D.

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K.J.

answers from Springfield on

First of all, I agree with most of the responses you've received so far. You don't have to tell anyone its not a real diamond and the people that ask are rude. Buy what you love and can afford, those are the 2 things that are most important.

Also, have you thought about a stone other than a diamond. It could be cheaper than a real diamond but still in your price range. I've seen women with ruby, sapphire and other stoned wedding rings and they were all beautiful. My hubby gave me a promise ring while we were dating and its my birthstone. I wore it on my "wedding ring finger" and never thought a thing about it not being a diamond. Or what about a very small diamond. My wedding ring has a real diamond in it but its fairly small. You would never know though because the setting makes it appear larger. It a triangle shape diamond and setting (not common, I've never seen another like it actually) that sits on an angle on a think gold band. I'm not sure how much it cost my hubby but we didn't have much $ at the time so I know it wasn't much. I love it though, its unique and even though it wasn't expensive, it was purchased with love. That's what important.

A.B.

answers from Champaign on

Just my opinion but it doesn't matter if they're fake or real so long as you are happy with it. I would say if you love the sparkle go for the cubic zirconia because they sparkle beautifully. I loved real diamonds so my ring has them, but we couldn't afford anything except what they have at walmart so my real diamonds are flawed in very obvious ways. But I still love them ;)

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M.R.

answers from Seattle on

After I was in a bad accident, my hands swelled up and I could not wear my wedding ring. So I found a beautiful 18K gold ring with a gorgeous round CZ for a little under $300....I thought perfect, I'll use it now and for traveling after my hands return to normal. I now wear it all the time and never tell anyone the truth.

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M.B.

answers from Rockford on

You could try liquidationchannel.com They also have a tv channel too. The prices are very reasonable. They have $10 and under stuff and they also carry items into the thousands. I am sure you would be able to find something awesome from them! It is free to register and every once in a while they send you a coupon. Right now I think they have 5% off or something. I have purchased multiple items from them and they are beautiful. Happy shopping!

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T.F.

answers from San Diego on

Sorry if I am repeating dont have time to read responses. Go to overstock.com and check out there wedding rings. I got my husband a really nice titanium ring for $85.00 a couple years ago. I also have 2 girlfriends that have bought really nice rings from overstock.com. Good Luck! Congrats on your 5 year anniversary!!!

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