Ah, the diamond ring… if there was ever a symbol of marriage that people recognize the world over, it would be the typical diamond engagement ring that emblazons jewelry commercials, ads, and books. But these days, more and more people are wondering whether or not an engagement ring has to have a genuine diamond-encrusted gold ring. The fact is that there are many, many wonderful alternatives that will still make a woman squeal with joy when she sees it. Here are the many engagement ring gem options that you can try out for yourself!

Real Diamonds

True, there is nothing like a real diamond on an engagement ring to melt a girl’s heart. Real diamonds are considered to be the most highly esteemed out of all engagement ring gems, and they are priced to match. If you can afford a real diamond, and love the traditional message that it sends out, by all means, buy real diamonds for your engagement ring.

Lab-Created Diamonds

Do you still want a diamond for your engagement ring, but can’t afford a real ring-quality diamond that has been found in the Earth’s crust? If you want a flawless diamond that will make her eyes sparkle (without the super-sparkly price tag), choosing a lab created diamond is a great way to get what you want. Lab created diamonds are often flawless, are cut to your specifications, and can be as big or as small as you want. The only issue is that most appraisers do not consider lab-made diamonds to be real diamonds, and will therefore appraise them for less. If it doesn’t bother you, then definitely consider a lab diamond as your gem of choice.

Swarovski Cubic Zirconia

Swarovski crystals and cubic zirconia gems have their own international following. Considered to be the absolute best in synthetic gems, Swarovski crystals are glittery, visually striking, and cut with a high level of skill that is hard to find in any other company. They are available in a wide range of colors, which means that you can make a lot of different combinations and designs to suit your fiancee’s taste. They also are much, much cheaper than your typical lab-made diamond, or even other gems, making them a perfect choice for people who are on a strict budget. However, it is worth mentioning that many women will be sorely disappointed to find that they have a Swarovski styled cubic zirconia engagement ring with crystals instead of actual gemstones. Is it worth the risk? It all depends on your fiancee, and how understanding she is about budget.

Self-Mined Gems

One of the latest trends for engagement rings is to actually go out to a real mine, and find the gemstone yourself. Believe it or not, there are mines throughout the world that will allow you to mine your very own gemstone. You will need to pay a jeweler to cut the gem, but the truth is that this will allow you to pick out the exact cut that you want for the stones. All you have to do is find a great ring to set it in, and you will have an engagement ring that will mean even more than a regular ring, just because you helped find the jewels yourself.

Rubies, Emeralds, and Sapphires

There is no reason why an engagement ring has to be all-diamond. In fact, many popular engagement ring styles are made exclusively with rubies, sapphires, and emeralds, and have been for decades. Up until recently, this was considered a traditional engagement ring model, due to the fact that diamonds were so uniquely rare. Rubies, considered to be the gemstone associated with love, are the most popular gem option for engagement rings that are not made with diamonds. Garnets and sapphires come in at a close second.

There are many perks to choosing a ruby, sapphire, or emerald ring over a diamond ring. Different colors allow you to design a unique ring that really reflects both your love for her, and her own unique tastes. A gem-oriented engagement ring can also be slightly cheaper than a diamond ring, which is excellent for those who are on a budget but still want to get the real thing.

A Last Note

Traditionally, a month’s salary is what you should be spending on your fiancee’s ring. If you cannot afford it due to the downturn in the global economy, don’t sweat it. It’s important to remember that the ring that you choose doesn’t matter as much as the thought that you want to be with her for the rest of your life. And, if you really think about it, being with your beloved for the rest of your life is worth more than all the money in the world.