The title of this post may seem a bit odd but by the time you get to the end, I think you will understand. I have been engaged for six months and have had the chance to go on two international trips since then. On both of these trips the diamond engagement ring Mark gave me stayed in our London safe and I wore a different one on my trip. Despite posting hundreds of photos only a few people noticed in my St. Lucia photos and in my Italy posts that the ring I wore for the entirety of both holidays was not my usual one. I absolutely love the ring Mark designed and really never want to take off, however, I would be devastated if I lost it or something happened to it. Yes, it is insured (see my post on 12 Things to Do as Soon as You Get Engaged) but still. Thus, a few weeks before our first international holiday I bought a fake engagement ring. It was a very weird experience but after only a few minutes of searching I was amazed at how many options there were!
I wanted something that looked similar to my original ring but that was cheaper (clearly not diamond and platinum) and far less sentimental so if anything was to happen to it, I’d be okay. Buy first, for a bit of background unlike some of my friends who take their engagement ring off to shower or to sleep I keep mine on 24/7. However, for the combination of the three weeks where I wore my fake ring I never worried about loosing it, damaging it, or anything else. I ordered a few from Amazon and while all looked great online the quality varied greatly with many having a weird purple or yellow hue to the cubic zirconium. I ended up keeping this one and you can see it in a handful of photos below from both of our trips – in St. Lucia I wore it every time we went scuba diving and Italy on all of our hikes and boating trips. Take a look:
On the beach in st. Lucia
Working out with Mark on vacation
At the Uffizi Museum in Florence
Wearing the ring for date night in St. Lucia
On a boat in Lake Como
As mentioned, I even wore it while scuba diving!
From my perspective it was a great investment though I would not say I am a pioneer in this trend. A quick Google search will bring up countless articles about how travelers leave their rings at home and wear a fake engagement ring that is cheaper or less sentimental on their trips. If you are in the market for fake engagement rings, you can find my ring and five others I like below in a variety of shapes and styles:
1 | Ainuoshi Round Cut 3 Carat Cubic Zirconia Ring with Pave Band in 925 Sterling Silver $44
2 | Teardrop Pear Shape 2.5 Carat CZ Engagement Ring in 925 Sterling Silver $30
3 | Lemon Grass 1 Ct Halo Solitaire Cubic Zirconia Ring $27
4 | Ainuoshi 2 Carat CZ Solitaire Engagement Ring plated in White Gold $29
5 | Diamonbliss Platinum Sterling Silver Cubic Zirconia Emerald Cut Ring $45
6 | Ainuoshi3 Carat Cushion Cut Cubic Zirconia CZ Engagement Ring $36
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The Best of Florence
Touring a Mormon Temple
New Sparkly Flats from M. Gemi
Exploring the Gili Islands
Loni says
I have bought several and never been very happy with how they look. Whenever traveling internationally or doing some rugged adventure where my ring might get damaged I always bring/wear a fake one especially if I am traveling alone as it keeps away some of the unwanted attention-you get it.
The ones you feature look pretty darn good so I am going to go for it.
Thanks
Christa says
I have considered getting one in the past but always had issues with fake jewelry turning my fingers green – did you find that happened with yours?
Christine K @TNSCK.blog says
Totally normal and smart. Especially if you are going in the water. The Danish Crown Prince lost his wedding band made of Greenland gold, which I guess is not common. Lost it scuba diving in Florida. He even hired divers with metal detectors to find it. No luck. Women cannot wear the wedding rings for a variety of reasons. I can’t wear mine due to weight gain. My grandmother had arthritis which swelled her knuckles. Some people can’t wear them for work or can’t afford them. I did a 42 page paper in Uni on this. Wedding bands are an old idea but a new concept. Using a ring not necessarily made of precious metals was a symbol the groom trusted the bride with his wealth and possessions. Instead things such as wire, stone, wood or even in Victorian times a curtain ring were used.
Carol says
No idea that this was even a thing but it makes so much sense!
Alison says
I saw all of your photos but never realized your ring was different, how interesting!
Rose says
Such a great idea. I would hate to lose mine and I’m sure you like to wear some thing when you’re traveling. I’ll have to look into it.