The 5 Best Engagement Ring Alternatives
Lifestyle - News
By JESSICA TZIKAS
Different Jewelry
You're ready to get engaged, but you aren’t a traditional diamond ring person — don't fret! Consider a different piece of jewelry that you'll actually wear, such as a charm bracelet (that you can add to over the years), a locket, or just putting a ring on a chain necklace.
Unique stone
If you still want to rock a stone on your ring finger, but you're also game for something less traditional, consider a different gemstone – perhaps your birthstone or a gem in your favorite color. Popular options include sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and pearls.
Non-traditional ring
Meanwhile, if you do like rings, but not giant, flashy stones, just skip the diamond, save some money, and wear a simple and elegant eternity band. You and your beau can even get matching metal bands, so you can both show off your engagement.
Permanent proposal
The trend of matching tattoo "rings" has become popular as the cost of engagement rings soars. Personalization options are almost endless: your wedding or engagement date, your names or initials, halves of a heart, etc. — just make sure you're ready for it to be permanent!
Lab Grown
If you still like the look of a big diamond, but you'd rather not go into debt over a genuine stone (before paying for the wedding, no less), consider lab-grown diamonds, which look just like mined diamonds, but cost significantly less. They're also much for the environment.