Engagement rings

HampshireH

Lindamar_ said:

Why not buy the cheaper one and as and when you can afford it replace the cubic zirconia with a diamond in the same setting. Any jeweller could do that.

Doesn't make sense when it isn't really that much cheaper.

Would be much more cost effective to save for the real deal

JustGemini

I would not get CZ.  I also would not need a ring when proposed to... but would like to choose it together after I had said yes!

saajan_12

Firstly I'd suggest speaking to your girlfriend - knowing the ring style is one (specific) thing but more generally, do you understand her attitude to money and gifts? Eg would she want the best or to not overspend? Would she think something cheap & cheerful is cringeworthy instead? 

If you had to decide alone then how long would the £200 take to save up? Is that x meals out / take aways / luxuries you could forego for a few months? And could you coordinate your proposal date accordingly? 

For that size of a difference, I would try to get the lab diamond if possible, but in a financially responsible way. Its always a balancing act between getting the nice thing now (and any financing cost for it) vs getting the cheap thing which is then wasted if / when you replace it for the nice thing when more affordable. 

sheramber

I would not have liked to be presented with a ring.

We had the thrill of choosing one together. My husband to be also got a signet ring as his engagement ring.