How to Symbolize Your Love For Less Than $1000
Diamonds are forever expensive. Ever since being marketed as the ultimate symbol of love, the crystallized carbon has become a staple addition to every future wife’s or husband’s engagement and wedding ring. However, times have changed. Millennials and the Gen Z aren’t as dazzled by the glitz and glamour of the diamond ring as other generations have been. Some look for cheaper ones; others look for alternative ways to represent forever.
From the proposal to the start of a new chapter, there are better ways to put a ring on it without overspending. Here are some of them.
Choose one made from other materials
Diamonds aren’t the only thing that sparkles. You can choose gemstones of any color, hardness, and price to be grafted onto your engagement ring. Maybe her favorite color is blue; why not buy a sapphire engagement ring? You think green compliments her eyes? Pick emerald. Better yet, replicate the looks of a diamond with a cubic zirconia gem or the closer but more expensive moissanite.
The engagement band doesn’t even need to be gold, silver, or platinum to be eye-catching, either. Other metals, such as cobalt, titanium, and even stainless steel offer unmatched durability and distinctive looks. They’re perfect for people looking for more practical or cheaper options.
Look into alternative, less pricey rings
If Taylor Swift can marry her lover with paper rings, then you can marry yours with rubber rings or even tattoo rings. Rubber or silicone rings are way cheaper than your run-of-the-mill metallic engagement rings. These rings are designed and engineered for those who live an active lifestyle or have a job where metal rings are hazards. That way, their real wedding bands won’t break from accidents. On the other hand, tattoo rings offer a lifetime feel, literally. After all, they’re etched onto your skin. If you want to take forever to a whole new level, and both of you are okay with tattoos, then this could be the best alternative for you.
Consider the family heirloom
Jewelry, with the right care, can last for generations. Add a bit of family history into your married life by using your family heirloom as the engagement ring. That is if one’s being passed down to you. There’s an endearing beauty to hand-me-down jewelry. It’s packed with a history of love, happiness, heartaches, sadness, dreams, hopes, regrets, and everything in between. And it’s a way to welcome your loved one to the family with it.
Browse the local pawnshop
Sometimes, the best way to find the best deals is to go to the local pawnshop. Various rings with different gemstones and sizes can be found here. As long as you have an eye for authenticity and a penchant for pawn shop haggling, you can get the engagement ring that catches their eye at a slashed-down price. This is especially perfect for people who like vintage or antique jewelry, or those who don’t care if their engagement ring is a second-hand ring.
Buy the ring at a later date
Maybe your husband- or wife-to-be is very particular about the ring they want. Or maybe you just forgot their ring size. Either way, you can rent “loaner rings” you can use for your proposal. Companies, such as Helzberg Diamonds and UK-based store Poundland offer placeholder rings you can use just in case you don’t have the ring yet. You can also use such if you’ve had a ring customized and it isn’t due to arrive before your proposal.
Rings have been symbols of love since the Roman times. If your partner loves you, they’ll say “Yes”to the engagement and “I do” in front of the altar, regardless of how much you’ve spent on your ring.