STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Maat · Kenneth Cole

fake engagement rings?

lynnie · Chanel

D- thanks for posting that!

The diamond invention is far more than a monopoly for fixing diamond prices; it is a mechanism for converting tiny crystals of carbon into universally recognized tokens of wealth, power, and romance. To achieve this goal, De Beers had to control demand as well as supply. Both women and men had to be made to perceive diamonds not as marketable precious stones but as an inseparable part of courtship and married life.

I find that statement really interesting. Very well played, debeers. You've convinced the world. that is amazzzzing marketing.

Kitty · Hermes

I've known about the diamond cartel since Junior High, and I still wouldnt want a fake one. *shrug*

I did want something a little unique, so I got a canary diamond.

-- Edited by Kitty at 02:02, 2007-04-12

Hermes

Kitty wrote:

I've known about the diamond cartel since Junior High, and I still wouldnt want a fake one. *shrug*

I did want something a little unique, so I got a canary diamond.

-- Edited by Kitty at 02:02, 2007-04-12

Kitty - I hope you didn't think I was referring to your ring - I didn't even notice it was a canary diamond so I went back and looked -- it's a gorgeous ring and you should have something you love since you'll wear it for many many years.

I have just seen so many people get a really poopy looking diamond for the sake of having a genuine diamond (a larger genuine diamond, usually.) Diamonds are supposed to be pretty IMO, and if people get an ugly one for the sake of getting a real one, I don't understand the point, you know?

Elle · Hermes

This is a really interesting discussion!

My (somewhat random) thoughts on the subject .....
I have no beef with someone having a fake ring, whether it's an engagement ring or not. I guess I would personally prefer to go another way entirely if I couldn't afford the real diamond ring I wanted, with another gemstone, a band w/a simpler design, going vintage, or getting a band now and adding a diamond ring to stack with it for a 5th or 10th or 25th anniversary. Why settle for a fake ring so you can look like you have a diamond, when you could buck the trend and get/do something really interesting and offbeat but still beautiful?

Mr. Elle and I got engaged very young and he suprised me with a much larger diamond than we had previously discussed (he put it on lay-away and paid for it over 6 months or so). I loved it (still do), it's very tasteful, and I sooooo appreciate his sentiment! But ...... not sure I'd do it again the same way. I think it would be way cool to have something different than everyone else that fits my non-conformist streak a bit better. I'd rather hear "That ring rocks - I've never seen anything like that!" any day!

IMO there are lots of ways to get diamonds for a good deal, and there are also lots of other options at all pricepoints that would be freaking awesome to use as an engagement ring!

Misty · Dooney & Bourke

Elle wrote:

I think it would be way cool to have something different than everyone else that fits my non-conformist streak a bit better. I'd rather hear "That ring rocks - I've never seen anything like that!" any day!

ITA. My future FH searched for 7 mos. for a ring based on what i deemed to be a dream ring. After we had been together a few months, we were on vacation and he bought me a cocktail ring that looked like a canary and everywhere i went people thought it was real. I loved it regardless because he gave it to me. So he knew I wanted a canary but it was unrealistic to actually get me one in that size. I like recessed settings and also told him i would kick his ass if he got me more than a carat. So he came up with setting 5 .25 quality diamonds in a princess cut shape, then "blinged-out" (if you will) the rest of the ring with same-size round cut channel settings. Its so pretty and vintage-looking, and he saved about 3k not getting a solitaire. Plus, it's unique. I love it so much bec. he put so much thought in to it.

The point is what Elle said, "there are lots of ways to get diamonds for a good deal, and there are also lots of other options at all pricepoints that would be freaking awesome to use as an engagement ring". If someone doesn't want a fake ring or to spend a bundle on a real one, there are several options.

Kitty · Hermes

Misty - you have a canary, too? I didn't realize it was that common. The place i got mine from said they had never made an engagement ring w/ a canary. Ha, I thought i was original.

Misty · Dooney & Bourke

Kitty wrote:

Misty - you have a canary, too? I didn't realize it was that common. The place i got mine from said they had never made an engagement ring w/ a canary. Ha, I thought i was original.

It IS original; yours is freakin gorgeous!!! My fave color is yellow so that's what I've always wanted, but I have clear diamonds just like everyone else. Sorry to have mislead you. Guess I should have been more specific in my post :)

Kitty · Hermes

Oh whoops, I guess I read it wrong..I thought you said you were basing it off the cocktail ring he had gotten for you!

Misty · Dooney & Bourke

Kitty wrote:

Oh whoops, I guess I read it wrong..I thought you said you were basing it off the cocktail ring he had gotten for you!

I went back and read what I wrote and see how you could have gotten that idea because I totally gave that impression. Sorry. :)

NCshopper · Hermes

I think engagement rings are really actually a very personal decision. I love my ring--it's a small diamond set in platinum. I don't really understand the whole mentality behind a big ring, especially if it means going into debt over the stupid thing. I think buying what you can afford is a much better way to go. I like that my ring is sparkly and pretty and understated, and that it will always remind me of how far we've come together as a couple.

As far as fakes go, I don't have a problem with other people wearing them, but I don't know that I'd want that. I'd rather go smaller or have a plain band. And for traveling, I wear my plain band because I'm more concerned with my personal safety than losing the ring.

Suasoria · Chanel

ttara123 wrote:

(I'd be afraid that I would lose it, or feel guilty that we spent $ on a ring instead of something practical like putting it towards a house).

Does anyone here have a fake ring?
How do you all feel about them?

I'm not that into gemstones, but my wedding ring is real. It's a vintage ring and it was not all that expensive compared to what I hear other people paying (for less interesting rings, IMO).

I have some of the same issues as you about the money, and the phobia of losing something valuable, so if those are concerns you just can't get over but you still want the look of a gem, who am I to argue? Seems like a good solution to me.

My grandma sometimes wears an enormous CZ ring, and she's such a classy old broad people always assume it's real and make comments on it. It's not her intention to pass it off as real, it's just that she doesn't strike you as the type who'd wear anything cheap! (Grandma never met a St. John suit she didn't like.)

Alikat · Kate Spade

personally I would never get a CZ engagment ring, it would feel wrong pretending it as a diamond - just seems like a bad way to start off a marriage. Anyway, I think there are a couple better options:

why not just get a band, or a band with small diamonds? Those are much more affordable and much classier in my opinion.

or you could consider a gemstone ring, one that is pretty in its own right and not meant to substitute for a diamond. I have a sapphire engagement ring, not because we couldn't afford a diamond, but because I wanted one. Sapphires are are the higher end of gemstone prices, but I've seen lovely gemstone e-rings in a variety of stones. Pricescope has a thread of gorgeous gemstone e-rings.

However if you think you need a diamond, I'd just get a band and wait to upgrade later in life, like at your 5 yr anniversary.

-- Edited by Alikat at 20:55, 2007-05-16

kittenheels · Coach

I don't think I would want a fake ring - especially if someone told me it was real. I really like the look of just a wedding band - something about it is so streamlined. That said, I love my solitaire - it's so fun to see how the diamond reflects light and is so sparkly. But, there are lots of other pretty stones - I think it's just a personal preference.