engagement ring- should it always be a diamond?

I think it should reflect your personal tastes, if you're going to have one. For example, I don't really like diamonds, and I prefer silver to gold. So my engagement ring has a sapphire as the main stone, and has a silver band. It does have small diamonds on it, just because my husband said it's traditional, but they are tiny. This also means my ring didn't cost as much as some others I've seen, but what I care about is mostly that buying me a ring like that shows my husband knows me.... he chose things I would like instead of just buying the biggest diamond he could afford. :) I think the existence of an engagement ring at all is more important to some people than others. Some people like to have that physical symbol of their commitment.

It should be up to the couple to choose what kind of rings they want, if any, and how much they want to spend. Diamonds are traditional, but I don't see why you shouldn't have another stone if you want. Most women who get engaged are going to want a ring, but if she expects the man to buy her a ring that is more expensive than he can comfortably afford, perhaps the ring is more important to her than the relationship and he should choose someone else!

Diamonds are the symbol of love. Diamonds are the traditional stone to offer when asking someone to get married. With the open policy that we have now, any precious gem stone can signify your intentions to each other, it does not have to be a diamond. With couples waiting until later in life to commit into a life-long monogamous relationship, alot of couples are forgoing the engagement ring all together and are using the funds towards a nicer wedding, honeymoon or towards a joint marital residence. It depends on the couple and where their priorities lie and what their financial situation is and what they dream of an engagement being. I personally got a small pre-engagement ring and then when the time was right, we used the diamond from my Mothers engagement ring and just placed it into a new setting to save a few bucks. The way I feel, it isn't the diamond or gemstone that makes the marriage, it is the love and effort that both parties put into it.

nope. I for one am not impressed by diamonds and find little to no attraction to them. my beloved gave me lovely saphires... my great grandfather gave to his espoused a ring of opals and rubies to express his promise to her.

I dont' know how I feel about this question. I guess it doesn't always HAVE to be a diamond, but In my opinion, i want nothing else except a diamond ring lol. I really want a NOT YELLOW gold diamond ring from my bf when we do get engaged. I just think that diamonds are more customary and people are just used to receiving that. SOmetimes people don't get/give engagement rings though, so i guess it all depends on the person. it's also been said that engagement rings should cost about 3 months worth of salary in the groom-to-be's part, but that's not always the case too.

It's obviously about the relationship and not the ring. As to the diamond; I prefer the diamond; but have seen others that are gorgeous as well.

I don't think that it makes a difference if it is a diamond or not. Especially if finances are a problem. It is the sign of committment, that is special and the promise of marriage and love.