White Gold Cubic Zirconia Ring?

Q: What type of stone do you like in engagement rings where the stone isn't a diamond. Most of the diamonds out there are mined by companies that exploit their workers and violate some of their basic human and civil rights and I don't think that giving a diamond is a great way to ask someone to marry. What other stones do you like in your rings?

A: You mean that the places that mine other stones DON'T exploit their workers? (And I know that goldmining isn't the easiest career either.) In any case, the stone should be long-lasting to signify the long-term marriage commitment. Emeralds, opals, pearls, turquoise and such are short-lived compared to a diamond, and would not stand up to constant use on a typical woman's

hand. A good sapphire (not a heat-treated one) might work. Sapphires come in a range of colors from white to yellow to pink in addition to blue. Would you consider a vintage or antique ring instead? You would be recycling a piece; the workmanship can be exquisite and unique; and the exploited worker would be long-dead rather than currently enslaved. My grandmother has a ruby engagement ring that is really beautiful. Or a plain ring, or skip the ring all together for a different piece of jewelry or gift, many women just wear their wedding band for daily wear. I find rings with stones don't work well for me at work or around the house anyway.