ADVICE: Does it have to be a diamond?

I was brought up to believe diamonds are the ONLY stone to own. My mother had alot of specacular jewllery from her past marriage to a millionaire Indonesian man. So, in kind of rememberance to my mother I'd like a diamond.

I don't think that you should be worried about diamonds in this case though. You haven't specified any kind of hang up your lady has with different stones, so I'd agree with all before me and say go with your grandmother's ring. It sounds absolutely beautiful, she's a lucky girly!

I hate diamonds.

I think you should give her the amethyst. I have oodles of amethyst and I love it. Plus who doesn't like old pieces? That ring as stood the test.

An antique family heirloom made of amethyst... or a ring like everyone elses that costs too much and is mined with (practically) slave labour...
hmmmm....
tough choice!
My engagement ring is silver and opal and it cost $10. the hell with diamonds. I like mine because it has meaning deeper than that of "i had to take out a second morgage to get you this"
Give her the amethyst. She'll love it.

i was going to post that.
i think you should go with the amethyst.
but if you do buy a diamond, buy lab created because of this. i don't understand why people think that lab created diamonds are "fake diamonds" there's a difference between lab created and fake. lab created just means it was grown in a lab as opposed to naturally, but they are physically the same from what i know.
also.. canda has this interesting program
(taken from a diamond site)

"Canada has made progress in identifying diamonds originating in its mines. The Voluntary Code of Conduct for Authenticating Canadian Diamond Claims sets a standard for authentication of claims that a diamond is Canadian.

The Code requires tracking for a diamond's progression from the mine to its retail destination, and includes requirements for proper handling, packing and marking of all diamonds that are represented as Canadian stones. There's no way to absolutely guarantee a stone is Canadian, but the process definitely helps eliminate doubt.

The program is voluntary, so not all retailers participate. Those who do must provide consumers with:


The diamond Identification Number
The retailer's name and address
An invoice number and the date of the invoice
The polished diamond description
An explanation of the Code"

so there are ways to buy non conflict if you just look.
in case anyone else was interested. there are also some places on the web that claim to have conflict free diamonds, but i wouldnt buy unless they could prove it.



[Edited on Jul 10, 2005 by Rhys]

The type of ring doesn't matter at all. It's what the ring MEANS that matters.

Not to mention, if I ever was given a ring that was in your family for so many years and has such emotional value, I would be flattered. Flattered and blown away.

the wedding ring i want actually has a quartz stone. it's not about the rock, but the symbolism behind it. i think the heirloom ring would be amazing. lucky girl.

google 'confict diamonds, sierra leone' and you'll think twice about funding that industry.
one statistic: the Revolutionary United Front (a rebel group in SL) have to date amputated over 20,000 people's arms, legs, hands, lips or ears with machetes or axes during a civil war over diamond territory.