The facts of the case are, that many women are asking, demanding, or creating the impression, that they want a massive wad of cash dedicated to them, to wear on their finger, and men are borrowing money that they cannot afford, to get the love of their life to marry them.
Now if this is true and the women demand it, then surely there is a compelling argument towards engagement rings being a necessity that we cannot afford!
My friend Stewart was telling me the other day that he wants to marry his girlfriend Jennifer and I thought that this was a great idea. I was getting really excited about those two young ones tying the knot.
I explained to Stewart that he needs to start to think about buying her a ring, to which he replied Thats the thing Johnny, I love Jennifer and surely you agree there is no doubt about that? But I am going to have to buy her a ring and that is going to cost well over $500 and that is something that I cannot afford at the moment, and not to mention I will also have to spend so much on the wedding itself that I am now very worried that I will never, ever be able to marry her at all.
What do you think Jennifer would do if I never bought her a ring, she would feel that I was not able to care for her, and she would feel that I was providing a sign of things that are to come. I simply cannot propose without a ring, I will need to wait until I can afford it.
Stewart certainly felt under pressure because of the financial issue surrounding the ring and this is understandable. Surely you would feel the same in Stewarts shoes? But the fact of the matter is that I feel Stewart should not have to wait and save up $500 before he can ask his girlfriend to marry him, I feel that social convention should be altered. I feel that a ring needs to move away from being a priority and become something that is seen as an old-fashioned tradition.
I told Stewart that he should speak with Jennifer and see if they can come to some sort of agreement. I told Stewart that he should tell Jennifer that he will propose to her once we can get his hands on the ring, and that will maybe make her think that the ring is not important and she wants to get married straight away. Surely if Jennifer truly loves Stewart then this is the approach that she will take? If not then Stewart does not have too much to worry about!
I am sure that he could save back $10 a week then in a years time he will have $520 which will allow for inflation. Hopefully in the future we live in a world that marriage does not discriminate against the poor, but until then it looks like we are going to have to save!
In 1893 a man name Henri Moissan discovered a naturally occurring mineral, silicone carbide, in a meteor. The mineral became known as Moissanite. Scientists decided to create a synthetic Moissanite and in 1995 jewelers realized the true beauty and value of the mineral as a gemstone. It was at this time that the moissanite engagement ring became a strong competitor for the diamond. In fact, it is such a beautiful competitor to the diamond than many jewelers have difficulty telling the difference.
The Moissanite Engagement Ring: To Buy or Not to Buy
Finances often dictate the amount of money that can be spent on an engagement ring. The largest advantage to the moissanite engagement ring is the cost. While its cost is much less than the diamond, its durability is considerably higher. It is also said to be more brilliant than the other diamond competitor, the cubic zirconia (cz). In fact, the moissanite gemstone is said to refract light and give more brilliance than either the diamond or cubic zirconia. However, when buying a moissanite engagement ring or any other setting style, it is important to thoroughly examine the stone in bright daylight, as some can appear to be slightly green or gray. It is also important to fully understand the store's return policy in the event that you should reconsider your purchase. Moissanite engagement rings can still carry the stigma of being a "fake" diamond, which gives many the impression that the ring is cheap or a "knock-off".
The Value of Moissanite When Compared to the Competitors
The moissanite engagement ring has quickly replaced its closest competitor, cubic zirconia engagement ring, for a number of reasons. While Cubic zirconia had been the leading competitor for the diamond for many years, the introduction of the moissanite gem has quickly moved it to third place. There are two types of cubic zirconia, hand-cut and those cut by a machine. While the hand-cut stones are a nice substitute for diamonds, they lack the brilliance of both the moissanite and diamond. It is widely agreed that the machine cut cubic zirconia is a poor substitute for diamonds as many are hazy and lack brilliance. The durability of the three gems cannot be argued; the diamond rates a 10, the moissanite a 9.25 and the cubic zirconia about a 9.0. These numbers that reflect each stones durability are important when buying an engagement ring that will be worn daily. When finances are at stake, there is no argument that a moissanite engagement ring is the way to go.
Keep in mind, that the moissanite is a mineral that has the appearance of a diamond, rather than a "fake diamond". Instead of thinking of it as a "fake diamond" appreciate the fact that you are buying a moissanite engagement ring and remove the "stigma" completely. Many jewelers now carry this stone and you many consider "ring shopping" with your intended prior to purchase to determine if your bride-to-be would rather have a small diamond gemstone engagement ring or a larger moissanite gemstone engagement ring.
Both Craig Rad & Brian Welsch are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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