A girl can never have enough “bling” to stand out in a crowd.  A woman’s style is greatly accented by the jewelry that she wears.  Classic and traditional diamonds are always in fashion, however there is nothing distinctive about them and they are often unaffordable.  A new trend in engagement jewelry is affordable antique aquamarine rings.

Princess Diana started a trend long ago upon being betrothed to Prince Charles as she used a large sapphire as her engagement ring.  People were inspired by this and began replacing or using other gems as well as in their wedding sets.  One of these stones is the aquamarine.  Aquamarine is the birthstone of the month of March.  It has a pale blue color and is a much more affordable diamond alternative.  Since they are relatively inexpensive, a large aquamarine stone can be purchased at any budget.  Antique aquamarine rings offer an heirloom look, as though they had been passed down through many generations.

Another distinctive cheaper engagement ring alternative is cubic zirconia chocolate diamonds.  Chocolate diamonds have a brown color tone and are becoming more and more popular with the rich and famous.  They are a bit less expensive than colorless diamonds but still come with a hefty price tag.  Cubic zirconia chocolate diamonds are a great way to simulate the real thing without spending a fortune.  With today’s impressive jewelry design, no one will ever be able to tell that the gemstones are not real.

In today’s society, most couples can not afford to buy diamond engagement rings.  Planning a wedding is a very expensive proposition on its own.  Because there are many diamond alternatives available, there are many options to purchase a less expensive unique ring that really showcases personality.  A distinct ring can also be a great conversation piece as well.