| Anyone who reads the "Sunday Styles" section of | | | | the traditional engagement diamond: |
| the New York Times – or its equivalent in | | | | A rose by any other name: You can't afford a |
| London's Sunday Times, Toronto's Globe and Mail, | | | | diamond, but you want your love's silver ring to |
| Sydney's Morning Herald or Melbourne's The Age | | | | look like it has one – at least from afar. Select |
| – knows that it is once again in vogue for | | | | a lovely silver ring bearing a clear or white zircon. |
| gentlemen to go down on one knee and proffer a | | | | Zircons are often used in place of diamonds, and |
| ring when proposing marriage. Traditionally, | | | | are elegant and lovely. A pearl or moonstone inlaid |
| engagement rings are silver rings, or are made of | | | | in a silver ring are also close in appearance to the |
| platinum or gold, and bear a diamond. But in this | | | | shimmering white of a diamond. |
| recession, who can afford a diamond? Given the | | | | Vive la difference: If, once having determined to |
| state of most western economies, today's | | | | shy away from the pricey diamond, you'd rather |
| practical gents and ladies may well prefer to save | | | | not pretend, choose a silver ring with a daring |
| their money for a mortgage. | | | | gemstone of a totally different sort. The |
| Nevertheless, a silver ring is part and parcel of the | | | | highly-prized and bewitching opal is one choice of |
| engagement process. Since even the least | | | | this sort. Or, if your lady-love is as unconventional |
| romantic male knows his beloved expects an | | | | as you are, choose a silver ring with a striking |
| engagement ring, no sensible gent will listen for a | | | | black onyx. If she's a bit more reserved, a silver |
| "yes" without sliding a silver ring onto his lady's | | | | ring with a pale violet amethyst or a silver ring |
| finger. It's well known that silver is valuable and | | | | with a twinkling blue topaz will also do nicely. |
| affordable. But how to get around the vexing | | | | Sense and sensibility: Another unique silver ring |
| problem that diamonds are quite dear – in | | | | option is to choose a silver ring bearing a |
| every sense of the word? | | | | gemstone that carries the beneficial energetic |
| A unique silver ring option is a silver ring inlaid with | | | | properties you'd like to confer on your beloved. |
| a semi-precious gemstone. In fact, choosing a | | | | Both the carnelian and the topaz promote fidelity, |
| silver ring with a gemstone is apt to impress and | | | | and look wonderful when set off by a silver ring |
| delight the newly-engaged woman: it's innovative, | | | | setting. And nothing could be more apt as an |
| colorful, charming, unusual – and eminently | | | | silver engagement ring than a silver ring bearing a |
| practical. Here are some ideas for silver and | | | | peridot, a gemstone that is thought to promise |
| gemstone rings that make a terrific stand-in for | | | | marital happiness. |