ENGAGEMENT RINGS!!! Where should you even start in a world forcing diamonds down your throat! If you want a big 'ol diamond for your engagement ring may as well stop reading now, you won't need help finding one. This post if for those who want a less traditional pick for your engagement ring. There are so many reasons NOT to pick a diamond, social responsibility, to be unique, to incorporate birthstones, gemstones are also said to have certain energies to help enhance certain things in your life (love,wealth,fidelity, etc). In our experience shopping around town at the jewelery stores proved to be very frustrating, often the associate works on commission and they were very pushy and not very interested in my special concerns for my ring just wanted me to spend the most they could talk me into or in some cases they were very rude about my opinions on my ring insisting diamond was the only appropriate choice, I didn't lose hope I just left the stores and shopped online. I wanted something no one else had, something special to me and that represented my personality. Now I am also gearing this blog toward couples on a budget, we were on a tight budget (being 23 w a fiance in school and working part time doesn't leave much open in the way of finances) we knew what we wanted to spend on the engagement ring and that is important, before you shop know your price, and know what you won't go over, no point in falling in love with something you simply can't afford. One fun part of buying a gemstone is that since they generally are less expensive than a diamond which opens you up to a BIG HUGE GLITTERING stone, and who doesn't want to feel like a Princess with her jewels everyday?!!! Just follow what you know you want for yourself, your ring is just that YOURS. A daily reminder of the love and commitment you and your partner share, and that love is special. I ended up falling for the twilight mystic fire topaz for my stone, it perfectly captured the sunset of the night we were engaged and I was in love with it. Is it the most expensive ring? No way. Do I feel my husbands love every single time I look at it, absolutely, I would be crushed if I ever lost it, and THAT is what is important. So if you too are thinking you'd like a chunk of sapphire, topaz, quartz, turquoise, ruby, amethyst WHATEVER then GO FOR IT, don't let anyone make you feel "weird" because you didn't fall into line with the rest of the diamond crowd. Let your love SHINE....on your finger!
The company we ordered from was Sylva Rocks, they are a cool jeweler based out of North Carolina, besides cutting the stones they hand make everything there at their shop,they are able to to keep costs down and provide beautiful jewelery. They specialize in mystic fire, I have ordered my ring and a pair of earrings from them and they have been great to work with both times, and both items ordered I couldn't be happier with.
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| My engagement ring, from Sylva Rocks |
These are a couple other sites I have found with great non-diamond rings, at affordable prices, hope these help get you started!
http://www.sylvarocks.net/
Topaz ring from Sylva Rocks
http://www.earthstreasure.com/
Sea opal ring from Earth Treasure
http://www.bluenile.com/ (these guys are a bit higher priced but stunning jewelery)
Morganite ring from Blue Nile
If you have some DIY or unique wedding content you'd like to share please email me at
mallyleigheakes@gmail.com, I'd be so happy to have it to share.
"All you need is love, love is all you need"
<333
Mal
