Non-diamond engagement rings? O.o

We just used a claddagh because we didn't have the money to do more (only $185 here!). I think yours is gorgeous and you should absolutely get what feels like YOU! I admit, I have had people who don't swoon over the ring or are underwhelmed (mostly work people, and my mom), but I love looking at it and feeling like I got what I wanted.

This is the only thing that matters - not what it's made of or how much it costs...

"A wedding band signifies the married couple's perfect union and eternal oneness. As the couple pledges their love to one another, the bands or rings serve to seal these vows and act as a perpetual reminder of their commitment to each other "till death do us part." Nowadays, wedding bands are made of different materials and designs specific to the couple's taste, style and preference, but the significance remains the same."

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/about_6531169_meaning-wedding-bands.html#ixzz2gUXC7Lxh

Are you kidding?? Wear the ring you want! Who is going to think your fiance is cheap for getting you the type of ring you want? Anyone who would think that is a fool and doesn't understand a healthy relationship. This marriage is for you, not for other people. (Also, as long as you show people with confidence and joy, they'll just be happy for you. People take their cue from your reactions.)

Just tell him what you want. My now fiance told me he wanted to look at big rings that we could never afford since we have a 7 month old. But I told him I never wanted a big ring. I don't have huge hands and we aren't rich I found it to be tacky for me to have one. I said I want one with just a single diamond and it could be as small as he wanted as long as it was visible and the ring didn't look like a man ring and that is exactly what I got!

We talked about it all summer so I also had a few things planned already!lol So I knew it was coming and then he randomly surprised me a week and a half ago! yay

I didn't get a traditional ring, it's a royal blue sapphire, gorgeous, and so me. I wouldn't have been happy with a diamond, FH knew that and made sure that I got something that is truly amazing. Don't worry about the cost, this is a lifetime ring and well worth the investment, even if diamonds are not traditional, they are the "standard" for engagement rings, which doesn't mean too much to me. Get the ring that you want!

I almost ended up with a green saphirre. It's whatever you guys want!

I think I'm going to convince my sweetie that this is the ring for us. I can't stop staring at it, and actually saw it in my dreams. For the record, I have NEVER been the kind of girl that drools over bling... but this ring is "the one".

And it's yellow gold so we can still get the bands we wanted! Whoot!

Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts and beautiful rings! Keep posting pictures of your untraditional rings, I love seeing them!

I told my FH I didn't really want a diamond: it's my birthstone and I'm just not really a fan of clear stones.

I got brilliant, princess cut three stone ring with descending side stones. And she's beautiful. I don't even care that it looks traditional. The side setting is unique....and I'm really hard on my hands. If this were a softer stone or a less durable setting....I might be in big trouble...

Mines paste (we think) I don't care.

Have one that is 'you'

We have no love for the diamond cartels, the way diamonds are mined or the marketing ploys used to sell them. Neither of us care for "tradition" - especially faux traditions created by DeBeers. I want a moissanite ering and wedding band set in recycled palladium. It's in the works now and we're super psyched. Get whatever makes you happy and don't concern yourself with what others think, they get to wear whatever makes them happy, you should too!

Hey D. It's the 3rd post in the sept contest. I'm on my work computer so I don't have it on here.

It's beautiful!! I really wanted a morganite, but FH got me a diamond. . . one day I'll buy one with my own money, though

And people will say morganite is not strong, but that is mostly false. It has a similar hardness to emeralds/aquamarine, and so is okay for every day wear in terms of scratching/chipping. It can cleave relatively easily, though, so you would need to be really careful about harder hits like falling to the ground, getting slammed in a drawer/door, extreme temperature changes, etc.

I believe you should get EXACTLY what you want. I am not a huge fan of diamonds and wanted a ruby (my birthstone) and my fiance found exactly what I wanted I could tell in some people's tones that it was not what they expect, but quite frankly, their opinion doesn't matter, it depends on the bride to be. I say GO FOR IT

@ Patty- Your dream ring is very pretty. Get something you love and that is you. I think it looks great, don't worry about what other people will think or say. I don't have a ring yet either. FH and I have been looking and I also want something that isn't traditional. Goodluck!

@ Allison and @ rfautsch- Both of your rings are Gorgeous!!

@ Sharelle- Your ring is amazing. I've never seen anything like it before.

Get / hint what you want! As you can see in my picture I don't have a diamond center stone. I didn't want something traditional. If its a stone that is easily scratched / chiped / etc. you may have to be a little more careful than usual with it but hey if its what you want go for it! It isn't the stone or price tag its the thought behind it :-)

My ring is blue topaz and has diamonds around it. I love it so much

I never wanted a diamond engagement ring either. I chose a green amethyst set in rose gold, and couldn't be happier with my decision. FH loves that I love it, too. Get what makes you happy! This is a picture of mine!

Mine is a sapphire; although my fiance really wanted it to be a diamond so he surrounded it by small diamonds. No one's ever made any comments about it except "oh, that's so unique!" especially when I tell them he designed it himself.

My FH and I picked branch rings from etsy. They're both sterling silver and my ring had a garnet embedded. My ring, which came with engagement and wedding band cost about $300

Those morganite and rose gold rings are just so beautiful! (And I love Taylor's too!!!)

Do what you want! I'd pick a tanzanite or a morganite too. It's your ring!!!

I love all precious stones, it's the colors that gets me going. Especially, blue & green stones; but lately the yellow & pink stones have been catching my eyes. My loyalty is strictly to my FH. But when it comes to jewelry I'm all over the place, Tiffany, Cartier, Macy's, any Mall in Jersey, oh my.