Ugly Diamonds Are Real...
Ask any person to give an adjective to describe a diamond, and likely you’ll come up with these as the top 3: Sparkly, Clear, and Expensive.
The truth is that not every diamond is sparkly, but one thing is for sure if it’s clear and sparkly, it’s more expensive. Not everyone can afford it, but everyone wants something that sparkles.
There is more than one way to make that happen. So here are my two bitcoins.
First things first, Why does anyone buy a gemstone? Answer: Because they find it pretty. It is that simple.
Historically, when I would see pictures in magazines or online diamond ads, they would look clear as a cold winter sky. A clean, crystal ice kind of clear that sparkles like the sun dancing on water.
So naturally, that’s what I would expect to see and be able to buy when I go shopping. I wouldn’t picture it with black or brown dots, crystals, or feathers. I also didn’t imagine for it to look yellow, especially not on the top view, but that’s the reality of what’s out there to purchase within specific price ranges.
I was disappointed.
I mean, if it takes $15,000 or more to get a clean, sparkly diamond, you also should be able to put tires on it and drive it...
When I was getting engaged the second time, I wanted a clean, clear sparkly stone that was larger.
I didn’t own a jewelry store then, so I had no idea about the cost of what I wanted.
Back then, you had to go to a store to find out what a diamond cost, and when I went to do some scouting, wow, nothing that fit my picture of a diamond was in a range that made sense for us.
So I started looking at diamond alternatives (my idea, not his) to get the clarity, size, and sparkle I wanted. It was a tough sell – my fiance asked me more than once if I was sure. He felt like he was cheating me.
He would have absolutely purchased whatever made my heart sing. But I was going to handle the finances in our relationship based on what made sense for our life, not what the world said was a proper engagement ring.
So I stuck to my decision, and I’ve never regretted it. I chose (keyword) a clear, sparkly, big-as-I-wanted non-diamond gemstone in 14kt gold that was paid in full before the wedding – I didn’t settle for one instead of a diamond.
Millennials get it.
Fast forward to today, and I have the pleasure of doing custom design work for many young couples and second-time brides. I have learned a lot from my millennial customers. I give huge props to them (and all independent thinkers before them). They analyze their life situation (college debt, car loans, lack of credit, kids, etc.) when considering their choice to symbolize their commitment.
This exciting generation of individuals is more globally and ecologically aware, more open-minded, and have said loud and clear that engagement rings do not have to be diamonds.
They consider what makes sense for them, not what other people think is right.
They want to honor tradition in their own way.
Even more important, they support each other’s decisions without judgment, even if it’s different from theirs.
One more significant distinction, THEY SHARE. They tell each other with the true intention of helping each other. They blog it, YouTube it, Instagram it, and Pinterest it, hoping it will help or influence someone else to consider it.
Huge kudos to them for that too.
Today’s brides and grooms are well educated and juggling debt and know that it makes more sense to pay down the debt and save on interest or put the money aside for something else.
They are considering their options. Whether they choose genuine or lab-created diamonds, moissanite, CZ, or any other gemstone, they know it’s genuine LOVE. Being in it together is most important; the rest is negotiable.
Here’s the hard truth, many are children of divorce, and they know that diamonds don’t keep people together.
Let’s say it because it’s my observed fact that there are plenty of ugly diamonds on the market. Because of budget constraints, many brides and grooms settle for less than their ideal diamond, either in size or grade.
Bottom line: Don’t settle for an ugly diamond, because it won’t get prettier with time. Choose a beautiful alternative if that’s what makes sense for you!
Here’s some food for thought.
Clear, sparkly diamonds are not within everyone’s reach, but custom design is available. Any tech-savvy jeweler worth their salt can make a custom ring for someone with CAD that is uniquely theirs and fits a reasonable budget. By appropriate, I mean 3-4 digits, not 5.
Your love is unique, and your ring should be too. So it makes all the sense in the universe to invest in a custom design now and choose a gorgeous alternative sparkle or a unique colored stone that fits the budget.
Your custom design can be designed so that the gemstone shape and size can be changed later. You can buy a certified, serialized, ethically sourced diamond with us anytime. I show my customers what their design would look like with different shapes on a big screen TV. Dreams become a visual reality.
The technology of lab-created gemstones in this day and age is stellar, and it makes sense to explore your options before deciding.
I make a point to offer all my brides and grooms the full range of possibilities, genuine or lab-created, and let them decide.
When discussing diamond alternatives, we don’t use the F or the C word – Fake or Cheap. Instead, we choose only the best to stand toe-to-toe with the grade and cut of genuine diamonds, so they know they are free to choose their sparkle.
Diamond alternatives are authentically stunning, and I will do my part to be there for them to support it in the future.
Diamond, lab-created gemstone, colored gemstone – whatever makes you draw in your breath, it’s the right sparkle for you.
You have the right to CHOOSE.
