Do any of you regret spending a ton of money on your wedding?

[Ben Kenobi]

It looks nicer (bigger diamond = better ability to see the cool prism effects and such), is clearer (same)

That's debateable. How the diamond looks depends more on the craftsmenship and the setting. You can get a very nice ring even if it's smaller if they do a good job on it.

makes her look like she has a richer/nicer/more important fiancé

What's more important, fake status or real value? Is the purpose of the ring to get her something that she will treasure for the rest of her life, or to show it off?

For me, if I couldn't afford the ring of a particular size, I simply get a nice ring of the size that I can afford. If she doesn't like it then, chances are, we aren't going to marry.

If it's truly identical to a from-the-earth diamond, who cares?

Why do you want to buy her a fake ring? Because you want to save money. If that's the purpose, why are you buying her a ring at all? Just hand her the cash then she can brag about how rich her fiancee is.

Also, synthetic diamonds are rather unlikely to be funding wars in the Congo...

Last I checked there were diamond mines in Canada. Like anything, go with a supplier you trust.

[Ben Kenobi]

It's not fake. It's chemically identical. It is a real diamond in every sense of the word. Its differences from natural diamonds consist solely of the nature of its flaws, and can only be detected with sophisticated and expensive chemistry equipment.

I want to listen in on that conversation if the ring ever gets appraised.

[DaShi]

I heard that Crazy Achmed is selling 'authentic' 'diamond' rings.

What are you talking about?

[onodera]

If she's that hung up on a couple grand effectively wasted, **** her. She's not my type.

Also if she doesn't think that synthetic diamonds are just ****ing cool because being able to grow diamonds is just ****ing cool, deal breaker

If she doesn't care about the price of a ring, why buy a diamond one at all? It's a strange girl that would demand a diamond ring but is okay with a synthetic one.

[Jon Miller]

synthetic != lab created

As mentioned, the lab created are (currently) as valuable as the natural. Just a bit easier to get certain colors, as HC mentioned.

When we looked (we didn't end up getting a diamond engagement ring) we were also happy to go with a Canadian diamond.

Synthetics have (most of) the looks, but are not diamonds and are not so valuable. I am not sure how easy they are to tell apart, to be honest.

JM

[Jon Miller]

Diamond engagement rings look right. I don't care about the valuableness of the ring, but even I wanted to get my wife one.

After reading about diamonds/etc, we decided we favored conflict free (Canadian, Russian, or Lab-created) and I personally thought lab-created was best. (science!)

JM

[onodera]

synthetic != lab created

As mentioned, the lab created are (currently) as valuable as the natural. Just a bit easier to get certain colors, as HC mentioned.

When we looked (we didn't end up getting a diamond engagement ring) we were also happy to go with a Canadian diamond.

Synthetics have (most of) the looks, but are not diamonds and are not so valuable. I am not sure how easy they are to tell apart, to be honest.

JM

Synthetic=lab-created
Imitation!=synthetic.

[Jon Miller]

Online, places that say 'synthetic' generally do not refer to lab-created.

It is a bit dishonest, actually.

Basically, if it says 'synthetic' diamonds and costs significantly less than a naturally formed diamond, it is guaranteed to be imitation and not lab-created.

Due to all the confusion out there (particularly in the PR of the firms selling the jewelry), I feel that lab-created is better than synthetic.

JM

[Jon Miller]

For example, http://www.ecodiamondz.com/ does not sell actual lab-created diamonds. They sell synthetics (or imitation diamonds).

They definitely present themselves as selling real diamonds though.

I gather they look very real. But they aren't diamonds, unlike the ones that http://www.brilliantearth.com/ sells.

JM

[Donegeal]

TLDR

Both my weddings (I am once divorced) were relatively cheap and cozy.

The first was held at a boys and girls club (as it should've been... we were 19 for christs sakes!) and overseen by a judge with about 60 guests. It was a party atmosphere as it was on Dec 31st late at night. It ran about 5k.

My next one was much bigger and much more formal (her family is much more religious than mine. My wife's grandpa was a methodist minister for about 50 years). About 300 people and ran about 10-12k.

I do wish we had pocketed the money and eloped, but I don't regret it. We have a lot of fond memories from our wedding.

Oh, and our entire ring set (engagement ring and two wedding rings) ran a little over 3k.

[kittenOFchaos]

They warned me not to skimp on my hypothetical honeymoon or else I might find myself divorced soon afterward.

Never skimp on a hypothetical.

[-Jrabbit]

If she's that hung up on a couple grand effectively wasted, **** her. She's not my type.

Also if she doesn't think that synthetic diamonds are just ****ing cool because being able to grow diamonds is just ****ing cool, deal breaker

Ah, such a romantic!

[Hauldren Collider]

You know it, JR!

[Snotty]

When I was younger I couldnt understand the desire to spend so much money

Now, I cant think of a better reason to hold a big ass party. My next big adult party is gonna be when Im 50, so I need something to enjoy in the mean time

[Elok]

My wife detests diamonds. Partly because she doesn't find them that attractive, but mostly because there's a whole industry trying to convince women that if a man doesn't spend a ludicrous amount of money on a tiny rock it's not really love. Her engagement ring has three gems, none of them a diamond.