I grew up with phrases like “diamonds are a girl’s best friend” and “a diamond is forever” on TV, the radio, in magazines…pretty much everywhere. It was ingrained in me (and people everywhere) that a diamond ring is a requirement for entering into an engagement. I never gave it much thought until I started working in a jewelry store.

I learned about all types of natural and lab-created stones, and realized that many of these are more beautiful than the diamonds. Often, the diamonds were small with poor color and clarity – but with a hefty price tag. Stones like white sapphire, white topaz and moissanite often had more sparkle and shine, at a fraction of the price of a diamond. But, as just about everyone will tell you, a diamond is an investment.

As time went on and I moved to other jobs, the things I learned about stones stayed with me. I read an article awhile back from the Atlantic on the diamond industry and suddenly everything clicked. I knew I wasn’t going to get a diamond – and I tell you why in this article, as well as why moissanite was an obvious choice for us. It’s important to understand where your hard-earned dollars go. Continue reading →