The Ultimate Engagement Ring Guide

Why not design your own engagement ring? By doing so, you can ensure you get exactly what you want, and in turn, you often save money by controlling what your ring is made of.

One of the best options today is to design your own cubic zirconia engagement ring. With prices for diamonds higher than ever, combined with the world crisis, people are looking around for cheap engagement ring options. Although there are many things you can do to try and find a more economic engagement ring, building your gives you complete control over all the costs.

When you build your own engagement ring, you get to choose the three main parts that make up an engagement ring – the band, the setting, and most important, the stone. The band is often the first thing people will look to change when building their own engagement ring. Instead of white gold or platinum, you may decide to go with silver. You can also choose the width of the band, and the quality of the metal. The band is never the focal point of the ring, and it is very difficult to tell the difference at first glance what material it is made of. What it comes down to is that it is better to save money on a cheaper band than on a cheaper stones.

The stone is the other major thing to decide on when building an engagement ring. Although diamonds are often used to try and make a flashy engagement ring, you can also try a make-your-own cubic zirconia engagement ring. Cubic zirconia stones are very beautiful, and quite similar to diamonds. The real benefit to a cubic zirconia stone is its cost – they are far cheaper than diamonds. By building a ring with a AAAA CZ stone, (AAAAA cubic zirconia is the highest grade available, similar to diamonds), you will save a lot of money, and can still have a large, flashy stone on top. You can also easily have three smaller stones, or five, and you can choose stones in all different types of shapes.

Another great thing about designing your own engagement ring is you can use a diamond or precious stone that you already have. Perhaps it was passed down through your family, perhaps it was a gift at some point, whatever. If you already own a beautiful stone, find a jeweler, and see how you can have it made into an engagement ring. Not only is this cheaper, you end up using something that already has some meaning.

As you can see, building your own engagement ring gives you the opportunity to get exactly what you want, andd gives you much more control over the final cost. Whether you want a cheap or pricey engagement ring, this is a great option for everyone.

Probably the most popular type of cheap engagement rings are those made with cubic zirconia stones. In a nutshell, cubic zirconia is a man-made stone, and is considered a great substitute for diamonds. They are far cheaper, and very easy to customize. Read on to find out the more.

Terms Related to Cubic Zirconia

• A-AAAAA – indicates the quality of a cubic zirconia stone. AAAAA is the highest quality available for cubic zirconia, and the most common. Cubic zirconia is quite cheap, so you should generally consider getting AAAAA grade.

• CZ – abreviation for cubic zirconia

• Moh’s Hardness Scale – measures the scratch resistance of different minerals and stones. The highest possible score is 10, which is held by a diamond. Cubic zirconia scores 8.5, and as a reference, gold only scores a 2.5.

What is Cubic Zirconia

Cubic Zirconia is created in a lab from zirconium dioxide. It is a somewhat complicated process including high heat, but this process has been perfected since its introduction in 1976. The result is a very hard and perfectly clear stone that can be cut to look nearly identical to a diamond.

Types of Cubic Ziconia Engagement Rings

Cubic Zirconia stones can be created in any way a jeweler wants. These stones are easily customized, so you can get a cz stones however you want. Generally, they are cut similar to diamonds, as they are sold as a substitute for the rare and expensive diamonds. Here are some of the most common:

Round brilliant cut cubic zirconia

This stone is cut in the shape of a cone. The visible part is a circle, and the back or bottom of the stone forms a point. It is the classic cut for diamonds, and is therefore the most common cut for cubic zirconia. It is a beautiful cut that really sparkles.

Princess cut cubic zirconia

Instead of a cone, this one is cut in the shape of a pyramid. It is the second most common, and is the cut that makes the best use of “space” (it looks the largest).

Emerald Cut Cubic Zirconia

This cut is in the shape of a rectangle, and looks elegant and sophisticated. It does a great job of showing of a stones clarity, although this is something that is more important with a diamond (CZs are naturally clear).

Oval Cut Cubic Zirconia

This is similar to the round cut, but instead of a circle, it is the shape of an oval. Also shows of the the brilliance of the stone.

Marquis cut cubic zirconia

An elegant shape that shows off the stone’s brilliance. It is similar to an oval cut, but is more narrow in the center, and is pointed on both ends.

Cubic Zirconia vs Diamonds

It can be very difficult to tell the difference between Cubic Zirconia and diamonds. You have to be an expert, or have to know exactly what to look for. Here is an overview of the difference between the two.

Color: Cubic Zirconia is perfectly colorless. A perfectly colorless diamond is extremely rare, and ultra expensive.
Hardness: Cubic Zirconia scores an 8.5 on Moh’s hardness scale, whereas diamonds score a perfect 10. Diamonds are impossible to scratch, and cubic zironia, although very hard, can be scratched. Also, it is important to know that even though CZ is difficult to scratch, it can shatter quite easily, meaning proper care is important.
Weight: Diamonds are much lighter than cubic zirconia. If you have one diamond and one cubic zirconia that are equal in size, you will find that the cubic zirconia is 1.7 times heavier.
Refraction: Diamonds have a higher refractive index, meaning they are more “sparkly” than cubic zirconia.
Dispersion of light: this is greater on a CZ stones, meaning you will see more colors on a cubic zirconia than on a diamond.
Flaws: Although difficult to see with the naked eye, CZ is much easier to cut than diamonds, and nearly all dia

Uses for cubic zirconia

Cubic zirconia is used for all different types of jewelry. The most common are cubic zirconia engagement rings, because people often can’t afford a diamond engagement ring, or certainly not one as big as they’d like.

Other popular uses include cubic zirconia bracelets, earrings, broaches, deluxe watches, and necklaces. Again, because cubic zirconia is cheap and easily cuztomized, it is perfect for making beautiful pieces of jewelry.

Check out how cubic zirconia’s can sparkle in this video:

Over the last century, the popularity of diamonds as the premier stone in an engagement ring has soared thanks in no small part to a massive media campaign which has pushed the idea of the diamond as a symbol of true love. Diamonds are indeed a beautiful stone, but lately brides have been increasingly interested in alternatives. In fact, anyone shopping for modern engagement rings is spoilt for choice!

Diamonds are undoubtedly a girl’s very good friend but there are alternatives. An engagement ring is a symbol of your relationship, and your fiancée-to-be will wear it every day. It’s a mistake to assume she has to fit one of the solitaires on offer. First off though, the advances made in producing man made diamonds has meant that anyone can afford a decent sized diamond that will pass muster for a real, mined stone. If you do want a traditional diamond engagement ring, why not explore this as a cheaper option? Other synthetic gems are also on the market that provide affordable, quality options for those interested in different colored stones. A created emerald would make a unique modern engagement ring!

Of course, there are plenty of points to consider besides just the choice of stone when choosing a modern design engagement rings. Does she prefer classic or contemporary, new or antique (or made specially), gold or silver metal? To find out, maybe you you can (confidentially) ask friends or relatives who know her tastes well? Can she be persuaded to comment on others’ rings? And … do you know what size finger she has? Put her first, look at the jewelry she already wears, ask a few questions and then, if it’s got to be diamond, at least you’re certain it’s the right choice.

Also, consider the possibility of choosing the ring with her. You could still go down on one knee to present a little velvet-lined box … containing a ‘ticket for two to find the perfect ring’ or a few small photos of the short-list, perhaps. She will appreciate the consideration you’ve shown in doing the legwork and then offering her the choice.

Some things to look for when searching for the perfect modern style engagement ring.

Quality: find out about the cut, color, clarity and carat. If it’s a diamond, is it also conflict-free?

Insurance and guarantees: Consider the details of your policy. Make sure the ring, stone and workmanship are certified and guaranteed. Check delivery options (if any) carefully. And – just in case – find out how easy it would be to alter the ring, exchange it or obtain a refund in order to purchase another.

Budget: this ring is an emotional investment, not a financial one. Engagement rings are heavily marked up and heavily marketed to help you ‘prove’ the extent of your love by the amount you manage to spend. We humbly suggest that you’ve proven the extent of your love by wanting to get engaged. So look at your beloved, not at the ads, and choose a ring you can afford which will bring pleasure and delight.