Does a cheap ring look 'cheap'

renowen

Hi there

My partner and I have been together over 6 years and have 3 children. We have always said we will get married, but what with having young children its something we have put on hold.

So in my mind, we are engaged because the intent and commitment is there, however as there was never a proposal, I dont have a ring.

Now, I dont wear jewelery because 1. I have and work with small children so jewellery is a bit of a hazard! I never wear rings because I take them off for messy play (ever tried to get playdough out of a ring?!) then forget to put them back on!

Im also forever losing things so tbh an expensive engagement ring would probably either get lost or kept in the box as I would be too scared to wear it!

So what about the cheaper rings? Do they 'look' cheap? The only thing I want is white gold but Im not bothered about if its a real diamond/gems or not!

Can you really tell the difference? For me its the significance of it rather than the price but my partner doesnt want to be considered a cheapskate even if its what I want!

So what are peoples opinions? Is cubic zuconia (however its spelt) just as good or can you not beat a real diamond?

Thanks
xx

Stowmum_2

I dont think they look cheap you can find some lovely ones. Im at the moment looking for wedding rings for us both and i cant find any i like and think would last lol. Oh joys of shopping eh!

LEJC

Its not the value of the ring...its what it means to you....

MrsBartolozzi

I think the cubic zirconia rings look less cheap than the teeny-weeny-real-diamond-in-a-silver-coloured-surround-to-make-them-look-bigger type rings. I'm no expert, but I can't tell if it's a real diamond or zirconium from a normal viewing distance. Maybe if I grabbed your hand and peered into the zirconium ring I'd know, but then who'd do that?

And I echo the "it's what it means to you" sentiment.

Stowmum_2

LEJC wrote: »

Its not the value of the ring...its what it means to you....

Exactly plus if i had a expensive ring like the OP i wouldnt be able to wear it incase i lost it or something. x

klimny

Totally agree, white gold will last and wear well and noone will be able to tell the difference between cubic zirconia and diamond unless close up and have a trained eye! No point in spending money unnecessarily for the pleasure of someone else - buy what you want for yourselves

Kittendreich

As you can't wear it everyday then I'd either...
Not bother getting one and then just wear a plain wedding band (play-doh resistant!) when you do get married.
Or buy a ring that you can wear on special occassions, but don't break the bank as it isn't going to be worn much - very few people will notice they are not 'real' stones and they won't be subjected to daily wear and tear (which some stones can deal with better than others)
Or spend the money on an 'engagement' necklace or something that you can wear everyday.
You don't need to have an engagement ring and it seems daft to spend money on it unless you really want to and will get the wear out of it. However, if you feel it is 'missing' then find an option that works for you, but buying an expensive ring that lives in a drawer is a total waste (you might as well just put the money in the drawer!)

Badger_Lady

When I got engaged, I made my other half a ring I signed up to a "jewellery making workshop" locally and made a unique silver ring with a personal engraving inside. This was about 7 years ago now, but it cost me £10 and he loved it more than anything shop-bought.

He wore it on a silver chain round his neck, tucked inside his shirt.

Magicboo

I have a silver ring with cubic zirconia stones, and everyone I've shown have just assumed its white gold & diamonds! Who am I to disillusion them?!
On a similar thread to the "it's what it means to you"...my sister was with her man for 6 years and he never actually proposed because he "was saving for a decent ring"-she wanted to have something designed and made specially for her...then he left her a few months ago. my man and I got engaged after 5 months after meeting with the cubic zirconia ring that cost £50!
Moral of the story..it's what the ring means and represents to you that matters and no one will have the foggiest what it's made of..unless they're a jem expert or something!

Birdie85

MrsBartolozzi wrote: »

I think the cubic zirconia rings look less cheap than the teeny-weeny-real-diamond-in-a-silver-coloured-surround-to-make-them-look-bigger type rings. I'm no expert, but I can't tell if it's a real diamond or zirconium from a normal viewing distance. Maybe if I grabbed your hand and peered into the zirconium ring I'd know, but then who'd do that?

And I echo the "it's what it means to you" sentiment.

I totally agree with this, there are so many good diamond-like stones out there and it's hard to tell the difference without really inspecting it. Just don't go too big or people will start to suspect! My friend has a ring that's got lots of little diamonds on the band and a teeny centre stone and it looks cheap IMO because the stones are all so small and surrounded by so much white gold to pad it out, ironically a cheaper imitation with slightly bigger stones would look more expensive!

If you're worried about wearing a traditional diamond ring that'll get play doh stuck in it (and will be a nightmare to clean) how about going for something more 'streamlined' like this (not really suggesting that particular ring but the idea!)

Whatever you decide, it's what it means to you and even if it only cost £15 it still means the same thing as a ring that cost £1500 (just that you'd probably be a lot more nervous wearing the £1500 ring!).

missknixon

My ring was less than £50 from Argos. People always comment on it because it is an unusual shape - it has a tiny diamond in it but I don't do big and flashy! When we told our friends about our wedding, a month today, they wanted to see the ring and had apparently not noticed it because it was small! They didn't realise we had been engaged over 6 years! A big ring is not me - I would break/ lose it! And yes I'm a teacher so have tried to get playdough out of a ring - it wasn't mine it was someone elses!