When choosing your engagement ring there are many gorgeous alternatives to diamonds.
I started the #idontdodiamonds movement for a few reasons.
This is not to shame anyone who LOVES diamonds, you are entitled to love what you love. And I welcome that. This is not about shaming you.
As someone who has worked in the jewelry industry for over 25 years I've seen how diamonds have been manipulated by the source holders to make us think they are rare. And expensive. And that engagement rings should cost at least 2 months salary.
"One company controls most of the diamond market -- the De Beers Consolidated Mines Company of South Africa. Reports say the company used to keep diamonds mined in many countries and released a limited number for sale each year. Officials say the company does not do business that way anymore.*"
Hmmm. Really?
"A Diamond Is Forever,” was the slogan DeBeers used since the 1940s to mean that a diamond is a never-ending sign of love. It also meant that a diamond would always keep its value. The company continues to use the slogan in its advertising more than fifty years later.*"
And the effects of this advertising campaign are still deeply embedded into our way of thinking.
I believe it's time to change that.
I believe it’s ridiculous to spend many thousands of dollars on an engagement ring when there are so many other meaningful ways to spend your money.
I believe that no one needs to wear a car payment on their finger.
I believe that you don’t need a diamond to represent your forever.
There are alternatives that are both ethical and long lasting that won't cost you a down payment on your house.
At Metalicious we embrace diamond alternatives to create your perfect "forever" rings.
Here are some of my favorites:
Moissanite:
Sparklier than a diamond, moissanites are man-made, are more durable than sapphires and make a beautiful alternative to diamonds.
Rainbow Moonstone:
One of my favorite gemstones is the moonstone because it's mystical and glows from within. I have my moonstones special cut just for my work. You won't see this quality in any other artist's work. My moonstones are clear with a rainbow-blue flash that dances across the surface.
Morganite:
A romantic and feminine alternative is pink morganites. I love pairing them with white or rose gold, or sterling silver-- when I oxidize the silver it gives the ring just a little bit of an edge and contrast. Morganite rings will take her breath away.
Aquamarine:
For the non-diamond woman, aquamarine makes a perfect choice. The color is both subtle and cool making for an heirloom quality ring at an affordable price.
Created Sapphire and Moissanite:
I also love using created gemstones in my work, especially sapphires. They are the same as moissanites in that they are genuine gemstones-- and they have the same properties as their earth-mined counterparts. But their quality for the price is second-to-none. And I adore the color blue.
Created Emerald:
Another beautiful and ethical choice is created emeralds. Because they are lab created they don't have the same amount of inclusions as earth-mined emeralds. They are exactly the same beryl gemstone but at more than half the price.
Red Garnet:
Nothing says passion like a deep red garnet and I have many to choose from in unique settings that represent your forever. Garnet is a gemstone of love and desire and I love the contrast when set into white gold or sterling silver.
NO diamonds:
One of my earliest collections was Modern Rock. The designs featured diamond shapes cast into metal. They are cheeky and unique and completely ethical. I cast the entire ring in recycled gold or sterling silver and it makes for a beautiful statement.
You can message me if you have other ideas about non-diamond engagement rings, I'd love to work with you to create the ring of your dreams.
*quoted from Learning English article
