Mountain Weddings Start With a Diamond: How to Get the Look Without the Cost
For many couples, a wedding is a dream-worthy celebration of your love. As you and your partner take that next step together and begin talking about marriage, one of the conversations you should have before the Big Ask is about your ring.
For all of us who have a secret (or not-so-secret) wedding board on pinterest, you’ve likely also envisioned what you’d like your ring to look like. While you may not know the time or circumstances around how your partner (or you!) will be proposing, having a conversation ahead of time about your ring can help ensure that you and your partner are both happy with your engagement ring choice. The engagement ring options are greater than ever before, including ways you can get the look of a beautiful, stunning diamond without the hefty price tag.
Learn About the 4 C’s
In order to understand diamond variety and pricing, you’ll need to be familiar with the 4 C’s of how diamonds are rated. There’s Cut, Clarity, Color, and Carat. Each C rating determines the quality, and therefore the price, of a specific diamond.
Ring photos by Highway 4 Photography
Learning about the diamond rating system can be a deep dive. Each C has its own rating system, and the variations in each category affect the look and cost of each diamond. The cost of a real diamond depends on what quality of diamond you’d like. There is a typical range of diamond quality that most jewelers will hold to, which means that if you’re happy with a “less” high quality diamond you’ll likely pay less for it.
Consider a Simulated or Lab-Created Diamond
Many of the traditions and stigmas around engagement rings have changed in the modern wedding world — including the perception of fake diamonds. There are two types of diamonds that aren’t naturally produced: simulated and synthetic. Both simulated and synthetic diamonds are typically cheaper than natural diamonds but give you the same sparkly, clear-cut diamond look.
Simulated Diamond
A simulated diamond isn’t actually a diamond. Instead, it’s a gem manufactured to look like a diamond made of different materials. Oftentimes, simulated diamonds are made of Moissanite, which is a durable and cheaper alternative that bears a strong resemblance to a real diamond.
Synthetic Diamond
A synthetic diamond is a real diamond. But instead of forming naturally in the earth before being mined, synthetic diamonds are man-made diamonds that are created in a lab from carbon atoms. If you’re looking for a diamond without the natural diamond price, a synthetic diamond is an excellent choice. Lab-created diamonds have the same physical and chemical structure as natural diamonds and are very difficult to distinguish from the natural version. Which means that with a lab diamond on your finger, no one will know whether it came from the ground or not.
An engagement ring is the first step in starting your wedding journey together as a couple. Once you’ve said yes, checkout our other blogs for tips and tricks about the planning process for your Colorado, mountain, or destination wedding!