CZ then the diamond...thoughts?

jillargiris

Considering the current state of the economy and how it has affected so many of us, including my BF...  I wanted to get some feedback/thoughts on placing a CZ in your E-ring setting, then prior to getting married, you swap it out for your diamond.

We've designed the ring setting and the jeweler is just waiting for BF to call her with the overall budget, so she can go find a suitable diamond to complete the ring.  I'm wondering if we just put a CZ in place while we're engaged, so that would allow him more time to save money for the diamond, then we could just swap it out before we get married.

Any thoughts?  Have you or do you know someone who has done this?

I didn't know if there was any sort of technical issues that could come about if we decided to go that route...

katanne9

To answer your question, there is nothing wrong with switching from a CZ to a diamond. People upgrade their diamonds all the time and any talented jeweler should be perfectly capable of doing so.

However, these are my thoughts:

A. Don't buy a ring you can't afford.
B. If you can't afford a ring now, why are you so sure you'll have the money to swap it?

PaigeMcC

Personally I feel that if you cannot afford to purchase a diamond (or whatever stone you want in the ring) then I don't see how you are prepared to get married.  Getting married is EXPENSIVE.  If you can't save for a diamond then how are you going to save for the wedding itself?  

Also, there are other options, like a different gemstone.  Or mossonite.  Have you looked into these? 

Or you could wait until your BF can afford the diamond you two want and get engaged then.  Wait a bit.  Theres' no rush.

OR you could get engaged without the ring (they're not necessary).

As for the technical issues with the ring that would be something a jeweler would know more about but I would think that upgrading would be no problem.

HeartOverMind

That seems like a good idea, if that's what you both want.

But, did you think of going a different route completely? Instead of a diamond maybe a something less expensive. Like a colored stone (sapphire, topaz, etc.) or maybe a moissanite (I'll be letting the BF know about this one..you should check them out).

I don't know if you and you're BF are set on a diamond. But that's definitely an option to consider.

motoLyn

I don't see anything wrong with that idea.  If that's the choice you have.  But like Paige explained getting married is expensive and if you can't afford diamond now how are you two going to afford getting married.  If you don't mind me asking how much is your budget for the ring?  If its pretty hefty perhaps considering on a less expensive setting?  Or if your budget is pretty low already then I see an issue with getting an engagement ring now. 

My family has been hinting that I should hold out for a larger diamond for my ring, but I held to the belief that whatever budget my BF set out that it is the final numbers.  Any money after that was to go into savings for our wedding.  We gave our selves a year and half to save up for the wedding. 

Perhaps looking into a alternative gemstone or settings will give you some options.  Good luck.

noelle24

It's your engagement ring, and you can do whatever you want.

However, how much money is this really going to save?  For us, it wouldn't have saved us anything, because by the time we get married, we'll still have put down the same amount of money.

Let's say the diamond is $2k, and the wedding is $5k.  To swap out the diamond by the time you get married, you'll still have to save up a total of $7k. Is something going to drastically change in your financial situation between now and when you get married to make it easier to save $7k later on, rather than now?

 If you'd be okay with upgrading from CZ to a diamond much later, like a first anniversary, then I'd say go for it.  I guess I'm just not seeing how this plan saves money in the long run.

Other ideas: wait a few more months to get engaged, use a different gemstone or a buy a smaller diamond

However, if you do go with the CZ, don't try to pass it off as a diamond to friends and family.

bethsmiles

I disagree that you should to be able to afford a diamond to get married. Just because you don't have that discretionary funding money doesn't mean you shouldn't get married. A wedding is expensive but getting married is not, you can get married on practically any budget. I think that getting cz and  then replacing it later with a diamond is a fine idea, although I think it would be better to upgrade for an anniversary further down the road.

CWill16

BF and I decided on a Moissanite. He has asked me if I wanted to upgrade to a diamond in a few years. I told him maybe and that we would consider it. We are both students and our ring budget it 1,500. I could have gone with a smaller diamond but I really didn't want to.

Perhaps someday when we are both working full time we will replace the center stone with a diamond and make the moissanite a solitaire necklace... who knows. I don't think it is a bad idea to swap them out if that is what you want.

But PP is right, I wouldn't lie about what the stone is. However I also wouldn't tell everyone I knew it isn't a diamond.

Example:
Susie: I love your ring Jan!
Jan: Oh thanks! It's a diamond!

see that is just as weird as inserting "thanks its a moissanite"!

heyimbren

You can get cheaper diamonds if you're not that picky about the quality, colour, carat, etc.

I don't think there are any technical issues with it. You can do that if you want. The PP have raised some good points to consider as well.

Personally, I wouldn't do it. I really don't relate to the idea of upgrading your e-ring later on in life when you can afford it. To me,an e-ring is a symbol of a period of your life. If you're in college and broke, then so be it. It's symbolic, and I guess I'd feel like I was taking something away from it if I changed my ring later. But that's my personal opinion, and I wouldn't judge anyone who did it differently.

noelle24

Sorry if I wasn't clear.  I don't think you have to outright tell everyone that it's a CZ.  CWill's right... that just sounds weird.  I have seen women lie about it, and try to pass CZ or moissanite as a diamond.  Some people won't know, but some people will, and then it just looks like you're trying to hide it because you're ashamed of it. 

Wrkn925

I don't hear alot of people talk about this, but I looked for rings on craigslist.
It can be dangerous, not knowing what you are getting, meeting ppl, no warranty, etc.

When I was considering a craigslist ring, my plan was to meet the seller at the jewelry store they said it was from or a jeweler of my choice.  That way, you could get it appraised, and possibly purchase a warranty, and you are in public to protect yourself.

Consider that as an option also.

jillargiris

Thanks for the input and yes, I'm fully aware of the fact that weddings and diamonds can be expensive.  My BF is starting his own business right now and he's putting a lot money into it for the initial start-up. 

We have money, but I figured that it would allow us even more time to save for both the wedding and the diamond.

Thanks again...

frenchy730

There are a lot of factors to consider here... as PPs pointed out, wedding are expensive! And so are diamonds.  Even if you have a small budget wedding, it will still be a few thousand dollars on top of however much you are planning on spending on a diamond.  That's a lot to save.
However, if you and your boyfriend will not be paying for much or any of the wedding costs, then I suppose getting a CZ and savng and upgrading before the wedding is an option.
Also, have you discussed how long your engagement will be?  Is it even possible for him to save the amount for the diamond you want in that time?  What size/price are you hoping to get?  Would you be happy with a smaller diamond now and swapping for a larger stone further down the road, like for an anniversary or something?

There is NOTHING wrong with a small diamond or a different stone.  If that's the stone you want, go for something you love in the price range you can afford.

notquiteblushing

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_cz-then-diamondthoughts?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:0a10e203-f5a3-443e-adf7-314eb9707ad3Post:dd9a170b-60fd-42c8-89e3-60fc6766780a">Re: CZ then the diamond...thoughts?</a>:
[QUOTE]It's your engagement ring, and you can do whatever you want. However, how much money is this really going to save?  For us, it wouldn't have saved us anything, because by the time we get married, we'll still have put down the same amount of money. Let's say the diamond is $2k, and the wedding is $5k.  To swap out the diamond by the time you get married, you'll still have to save up a total of $7k. Is something going to drastically change in your financial situation between now and when you get married to make it easier to save $7k later on, rather than now?  If you'd be okay with upgrading from CZ to a diamond much later, like a first anniversary, then I'd say go for it.  I guess I'm just not seeing how this plan saves money in the long run. Other ideas: wait a few more months to get engaged, use a different gemstone or a buy a smaller diamond However, if you do go with the CZ, don't try to pass it off as a diamond to friends and family.
Posted by noelle24[/QUOTE]

I agree with everything Noelle said.

leia1979

I guess to me it makes more sense if you said "I'll have the CZ for a few years, and later when we have more money upgrade to something else." Before the wedding doesn't sound like it's saving much.

I'm getting a Lannyte, which is similar to CZ. And if five years down the road I decide I want something else, we'll swap it out. But I wouldn't do that before we get married, since that's only about a year away.

In terms of if it's technically possible, then yes. We were just at the jeweler today to get the stone mounted, and he said if we decide later to go bigger, smaller, or just different, it's  no problem.

Elle1036

What Beth said.

I think it's a great idea.  I know several couples who have done this and I think it's a really sweet sentiment.  Plus, CZs are beautiful stones in their own right -- they just get a bad rap because people try to pass them off as diamonds.

[Deleted User]

I have a CZ and it's absolutely gorgeous.  You can't tell at all that it's not real.  We can't afford a diamond, right now, that is as beautiful as this ring is.  BUT, we can certainly afford to get married.  People on this board sure have a lot of "opinions" for a Not Engaged Yet board.  Um...how do you all know so much if you haven't planned a wedding yet?  My wedding is going to be beautiful, amazing, perfect and wonderful...even without a "diamond".  Also, as far as "don't tell people it's not a diamond."  I can't even imagine someone having the ill manners to ask.  People get so wrapped up in diamond or not...it's the sentiment, not how much it cost!

This is the 4th post I've read with snarky, rude, and mean responses.  I think I'll go back to the October 2011 boards where people have manners.

Elle1036

Easy, bride2be.  I think you're taking things a little too personally.  The girls on here are allowed to post their opinions (snarky though they might be) and you and the OP are also allowed to completely ignore them.  Nobody's getting hurt over it.

That said, I do agree with some of what you said.  CZs are beautiful (make sure you clean it regularly to keep it from getting cloudy-looking), and many people who lack a jeweler's eye can't tell the difference, at least from a distance.  That said, I don't understand why people insist on using the word "fake" (or, as you said, "not real") to describe CZs.  Are they illusions of some kind?  No.  They're man-made, but they're still real stones, just with a different composition.

Also, I don't think the whole "don't try to pass it off as diamond" thing means that you should tell everyone who comments on your ring.  I think you just need to be proud of the fact that it's a CZ (there's a lot to be proud of in making an economical choice and in not supporting the diamond industry), so that when people who are close enough to you ask for details, you aren't afraid to tell them.

Finally...  I have had the "ill manners" to ask once.  LOL.  I was sitting next to this girl at a work meeting (I had never met her before) and the rock on her finger had to be 4 carats.  It was huge.  As soon as I saw it, I blurted out "Omg is that real?!" before I could stop myself.  Oops.

heyimbren

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_cz-then-diamondthoughts?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:0a10e203-f5a3-443e-adf7-314eb9707ad3Post:b0565e53-7f7c-4125-82ff-79f439d00ae9">Re: CZ then the diamond...thoughts?</a>:
[QUOTE]I have a CZ and it's absolutely gorgeous.  You can't tell at all that it's not real.  We can't afford a diamond, right now, that is as beautiful as this ring is.  BUT, we can certainly afford to get married.  People on this board sure have a lot of "opinions" for a Not Engaged Yet board.  <strong>Um...how do you all know so much if you haven't planned a wedding yet?</strong>  My wedding is going to be beautiful, amazing, perfect and wonderful...even without a "diamond".  Also, as far as "don't tell people it's not a diamond."  I can't even imagine someone having the ill manners to ask.  People get so wrapped up in diamond or not...it's the sentiment, not how much it cost! This is the 4th post I've read with snarky, rude, and mean responses.  I think I'll go back to the October 2011 boards where people have manners.
Posted by bride2be*tdr[/QUOTE]

Look whose get an uninformed opinion now? Most of the girls that post regularly on here are actually already married OR engaged and planning a wedding. You wouldn't know that from the name, but it's true. If you like Oct 2011 better, then by all means, stay to posting there.

But your post probably gave OP some good insight, so thanks for that.