Is it mandatory to have diamonds on your engagement rings? Can't any other stone replace the diamonds? I don't believe that diamonds are mandatory on engagement rings. One can have any gemstone of her liking on the ring. But i do prefer diamonds to any other stone because diamonds symbolise an unbreakable bond and nothing can convey the message of togetherness for an entire lifetime better than the diamonds. It is not the size of the diamond that matters to me but it is the promise that one makes through a diamond engagement ring that is significant! What do you think about this? Would you want a fancy engagement ring with some other gemstones or would you want to have diamond on it?

i personally like diamonds..
i think that its also something that is just known...like "gotta follow the trend"
i have seen more girls getting colored stones, or getting colored stones on the side of the diamond. which is neat and beautiful.

I think that people should be free to choose the gemstones that mean the most to them. Often, people assume that a diamond is what you "have to get", but if you allow yourself to choose among every gemstone available, then you can end up with a ring that is very "you" and original. This site is useful when choosing among gemstones: Gemstones. Information for Gemstone Jewelry Shopping.

There is also an interesting section about engagement rings.

Best of luck!

10stars is right.. you don't HAVE to do anything, but you should do what you want! Diamonds have become the thing to do, in my opinion, because of the retailers pushing them. Obviously they are the most expensive stone, and will make them the most money. I know of a girl who dreamed of a garnet engagement ring. She got it, and it was absolutely gorgeous! Do what's in your heart, not what they tell you in magazines

My engagement ring is a round cut diamond in the center, surrounded by 3 pink sapphires on each side in the shape of a heart. I didn't want just diamonds, but I didn't want just a colored stone. it's whatever you feel is right in your heart.

I have a diamond ring (I got it from my grandmother who worked at a jewelry store in South Africa) it is an antique and it was given with the understanding that it would be my engagement ring when needed (FH got off easy). My SIL has a tiger's eye as her stone though.

It is wonderful that most of you think that one should buy what she wants and not just settle for something because that is the custom. A lot of people tend to use other gemstones at least as side stones along with the diamond in engagement rings. I feel that in itself is an improvement considering how narrow- minded people used to be regarding a 'no-diamond' engagement ring. Though I personally prefer diamonds, I also think it would be a good variety if people get engagement rings with other gemstones.

I agree that you should be able to have whatever stone you want on your engagement ring. I knew a girl who refused to have a diamond on her finger. She wanted to be different. I think it is a personal decision each bride must make. I also think that it is important to let your FH what type of ring you want, just so you don't get disappointed when he presents you with a ring with a stone you don't care for. I agree with benifer, I personally prefer diamonds for my engagement ring. I think they are so beautiful and symobolize so much.