If you’re on a tight budget and would prefer to spend your money on something other than rings, yet don’t want to sacrifice having sparkle on your wedding day, then you should consider the elegant, yet cheap, alternatives like silver cubic zirconia wedding ring sets and solid white gold wedding bands with CZs that cost a fraction of what you would pay for diamond sets of the same basic style.

You also need to know about the innovative alternatives that are available in matching wedding rings crafted from titanium and tungsten, many with cubic zirconia set in unusual mountings, especially great for couples who want something that is not just affordable but distinctive and personal. Here is the information you need to help you choose the best cubic zirconia rings in the four most affordable and durable metals – silver, white gold, titanium and tungsten.

Silver Cubic Zirconia Wedding Bands Sets

The cheapest solution to having diamond-like sparkle in a white metal setting is to choose sterling silver. Yes, you can get really cheap “fake looking” CZ rings for $20 or less at costume jewelry kiosk at your local mall, but these will not only look fake when they’re new, but will not withstand even a short period of everyday wear. We recommend you budget at least $50 for sterling silver cubic zirconia bridal sets that are of better quality and will therefore have something that will last longer and look less “cheap”. Naturally, over time, silver does tarnish and will need to be cleaned or polished, and CZ gems will eventually get scratched and dull looking, but the best sets will at least not immediately scream “fake” to everyone who looks at your rings, and may actually provide you with a year or two (often more) of daily wear, if you’re careful. This may give you the time you need to be able to afford replacing the cheap silver CZ sets with something in white gold or even titanium, and perhaps even a real diamond or two for one of your anniversaries. But before you can think about getting replacements, you need the initial rings you will use to say I DO, so, where can you get quality cubic zirconia wedding sets that look believable for $50 or less?

Ladies Bridal Ring Sets Between $40 and $70

Before we show you what you can buy online and how much the sets cost, here’s a little tip on how to select CZ rings that are believable. First, choose a design or setting that is similar to a diamond creation, something that is not too extravagant, that you may actually be able to afford if you decided to buy your wedding jewelry on credit. What we mean is that you should not choose a 4 carat CZ gemstone creation simply because it costs the same as a smaller one. Why?

Because the larger the stone, the more fake it will appear, especially if everyone knows you’re not a millionaire. It’s also wise to choose a CZ for the engagement ring that is no more than 1 carat, preferably a half carat, because in the light, a CZ is more prismatic than a similar cut diamond, and what that means is that cubic zirconia tend to have more fire, or sparkle, refracting light and creating a colorful prism of brilliance that only the most flawless of diamonds will give off. The fact that cubic zirconia are transparent, without inclusions, therefore akin to the most elusive and expensive flawless diamonds that are unaffordable for the average person, makes rings with very large brilliant stones appear more fake than the smaller ones that attract less attention by giving off less of a brilliant sparkle.

A cluster setting with a half carat central stone, accented by smaller CZs, as would be natural in a genuine diamond set, is often the best and most believable choice. Or, a solitaire engagement ring that is no more than a carat in weight, with a simple polished silver wedding band, or a half eternity ring with 5 to 10 small stones, perhaps baguette cut or pave set, will appear more realistic than a massive stone in an unusual setting that only a queen could afford if it were real. With that in mind, here are the top picks for solid sterling silver cubic zirconia wedding ring sets that include a ladies engagement ring and wedding band for one low price. The first and second recommendations are sold through Almost Diamonds, the third and fourth through Emitations, and the fifth and sixth through Fantasy Jewelry Box.

1. A half carat central CZ stone, accented with smaller channel set stones along the shank, paired with a delicate half eternity wedding band, with 8 smaller brilliant cut CZs, all set in sterling silver for just under $50. This is a cross between a classic solitaire and a modern clean lined eternity design, with faux gemstones that are a believable size, in a quality setting that will endure everyday wear because the silver is rhodium plated to prevent natural tarnishing. Also, the high polished band, as well as the protective plating mentioned above, gives the set the look you might find in a platinum creation. Such a fine finish is another factor that contributes to it’s believable appearance and differentiates it from cheaper diamond imitation styles where, sometimes the manufactures have cut corners on small finishing details. Often the telltale sign of a cheap faux diamond isn’t the stone itself but a rough or poorly finished band. Take note of the smooth edges, the highly polished silver, the clean prong mounting of the central stone, and the carefully detailed channel where the smaller stones have been placed in the band.

2. A .75 carat CZ solitaire engagement ring with a simple, high polished, matching band, accented with notched grooves and smaller stones costs just under $40. It’s another classic with a touch of modern – very clean design, elegant and extremely believable. The silver in this set, once again, is finely crafted, beautifully finished and nothing about the setting, or the size of the stone, gives any indication of it being faux or cheap.

3. Emitations has a set that is simple and stylish, a genuine-looking creation that will not raise questions as to weather it’s diamond or faux. It’s called Soo-Yun’s weddings set and is a pair of two rings that are delicate and feminine, both sterling silver. The engagement ring has a ½ carat CZ centrally mounted between smaller gems and a perfectly matched three-stone wedding band as its pair. Although many of the cubic zirconia wedding bands sets sold through Emitations can be a little more expensive, between $70 and $140, this particular design costs just under $60.

4. A CZ wedding ring set that is perfect for anyone wanting an antique or filigree design is the piece called Vanora’s sold through Emitations. Although it’s an intricately crafted piece with a total weight of 1.7 carats in cubic zirconia gems, the rings themselves do not scream fake because the single largest stone is the central one in the engagement ring, and it’s just .75 carats, and therefore a realistic size. The accenting stones are small and have been pave set, therefore giving an overall sparkle without being overly extravagant. The bands into which the gems have been set are.925 sterling silver that has been rhodium electroplated so as not to tarnish. This unusual antique wedding ring set costs about $70 and is available to order online through Emitations.

5. Fantasy Jewelry Box has a delicate traditional set, very clean and tastefully simple, with a single round .75 carat CZ, prong set in a slender sterling silver band with rounded edges and a matching wedding band that fits into the solitaire engagement ring as close as possible due to a curved shank that wraps seamlessly around the other ring’s central stone. This is an ideal choice for value and design since it costs just under $40.

6. For an exquisite vintage engagement ring and wedding band set there’s nothing quite like the Queen Victoria set sold through Fantasy Jewelry Box for just $55. We recommend it as a believable choice because the centre stone is just 1 carat in weight, and the accenting stones that comprise another .25 carats are very subtly worked into a delicately carved shank. The matching wedding band is also carved and has a bit of tasteful sparkle, but what’s great about this design is that the decorative area with gems is only on the top side and not all around the band, making the set much more comfortable for everyday wear.

Speaking about comfort, that reminds us to give you a tip about choosing bands. Although eternity bands are beautiful and very popular as the band to go with an engagement ring, please remember that if you choose a design that has prong set stones all the way around, as in the full eternity styles, they may be less than comfy fro everyday wear and the prongs used to set the stones may catch on clothing. We highly recommend half eternity ring designs and channel or bezel settings, or baguette cut stones in smooth mountings, instead of prongs.

White Gold Wedding Bands and Sets

It’s quite a drastic price jump to go from a silver setting to one in white gold, although the quality of the pieces will be, in most cases, worth paying extra for. One of the best places to shop for genuine ladies white gold wedding bands and bridal sets with CZ diamonds is Goldenmine, and for men’s wedding bands, Jewelry Vortex. Let’s first take a look at what’s available for the ladies.

1. A genuine bargain is the 14k white gold two-ring set for just under $210. Yes, you’re reading this correctly…two gold rings for just over $200, and the engagement ring in the set has a half carat round CZ center stone, accented by baguette cut gems alongside. And the matching white gold wedding ring to match is also set with three baguette stones. It’s a tasteful design that has a crisp clean feel because of the long slender baguette stones, and although it has a fair bit of sparkle, it’s not too dramatic to be fake looking. Remember that this set is gold not silver, so even if you should decide to upgrade from CZs to real diamonds, you can use the original mounting.

2. The three-stone ring is one of the most popular designs, and if you want the combination of white gold and cubic zirconia, you can save a lot of money, even you have your heart set on a large central stone. We normally don’t recommend that you choose CZ stones over a carat in weight, so the piece we present is pushing the boundaries of that criteria, having a 1.25 carat center stone and the two other CZs that are each .40 carat. However, this particular piece is distinctively crafted and very, very affordable, so we present it as an option. It costs just $199 through Goldenmine….and again we remind you this is solid 14k gold and not silver, so that is a very good price for a set of that quality.

Just White Gold Bands

Here are some white gold bands that you can buy separately. For just $133 you can get a 7 stone eternity band in white gold. This is excellent value, especially if already have your engagement ring and need something that can easily match your ring even not bought as a set.

For something more plain or more elaborate, select a variety of other choice, one that has a full set of gems around the band, another that has a double row of stones but only along the top, and yet another style that has 5 small stones bezel set into the rounded band. All are under $200, and the latter one being just $165.

White Gold Mens Wedding Rings

Matching bands with or without CZ stones, set in white gold, are available through Goldenmine starting at about $75 for a plain thin band, up to elaborate designs that incorporate CZ stones and cost about $300. However that brings us to Jewelry Vortex where you can get the best deals on mens wedding rings and matching sets not only in gold but in other metals that are even more durable, like titanium and tungsten.

Titanium wedding bands for men and tungsten wedding bands, for both men and women, offer a great alternative to gold or silver. For as little as $70 you can get cubic zirconia wedding bands sets that are crafted in one of the strongest and most durable metals on earth. For between $70 and $130 you can get unique styles that have one or more gemstones, come with a lifetime guarantee and are available online through places like Jewelry Vortex.

For ladies sets that include unusual tension-set CZ gemstone designs, we recommend shopping at places like Titanium Era where you can start creating your sets for as little as $95 each piece. You can also get tungsten wedding bands for as little as $75. These alternatives are worth considering if you are on a budget because the quality is outstanding, the rings will last a lifetime, and yet the initial investment is not much more than what it would cost for high quality costume jewelry. If you need matching wedding rings, eternity wedding bands with cubic zirconia or desire something really distinctive and personal, we strongly recommend titanium and tungsten as a viable, affordable and solid choice.

For more information please see related articles like: Cubic Zirconia Rings Versus Diamonds and Tanzanite Rings as well as more details on shopping for Men’s Cubic Zirconia Rings. If you want lots of ideas on how to create your very own ring sets that are unusual, please go to the article called Imitations by Emitations where you will find dozens of unique suggestions for pairing CZ engagement rings with bands that are affordable and personalized to your specific needs and tastes.

Cubic Zirconia Rings –A tasteful affordable Alternative to Diamonds

Then a friend mentions a cubic zirconia ring. You cringe remembering some gaudy bauble you were given in the 80’s that looked like something from a bubblegum machine. No, no, no! That would never do. You want a REAL ring! Something to treasure, to show your girlfriends, to let the world know you’re in love. You don’t want a tacky imitation that screams cheap and bad taste!

Stop! Take a look at the new cubic zirconia engagement rings and wedding rings on the market today. They’re as elegant, classy or modern cool and hip as any of the diamond rings in the ads. There are gold rings, silver rings and even the newest titanium rings and platinum rings that set off any sparkling gems to perfection. There are simple bands with cubic zirconia embedded in eternity rings, solitaire rings to die for, and cluster diamond lookalikes almost identical to their zillion dollar diamond cousins.

Yes. You can have it all. The sit-down dinner, the honeymoon AND your dreamy ring.

Here are some alternative engagement rings and wedding rings you can choose from or suggest to your fiancé:

• Silver Rings with cubic zirconia gemstones are the most popular. Sterling silver is modern and chic and many women prefer it because it matches the rings and earrings and jewelry in their wardrobe. Remember that your engagement ring or wedding ring will be worn everyday with all your outfits. If you usually wear silver jewelry, it’s a good idea to have a wedding ring set or engagement ring that’s silver too.

  There are simple contemporary twists to the traditional wedding ring sets such as a three stone zirconia ring or cubic zirconia eternity rings. The classic solitaire engagement ring is available in a zirconia version with square or round or marquise cut.

• Gold Cubic Zirconia Rings can have as classic or as contemporary a feel as you choose. The traditional cluster diamond wedding rings are impossible to distinguish from the real thing. But you may be able to afford a little larger focal zirconia in your ring than if it were a diamond. There are some great variations on the classics that blend gold with platinum and/or titanium for wedding bands that stand out.

  A yellow gold band with a large CZ solitaire is now affordable or a two-tone gold ring with white gold insets and a CZ diamond is well within reach. Depending on the metal combination for your ring, it can be easily under $100.

• White Gold Rings have been the usual alternative for those ladies and gents who usually wear sterling silver but want better quality for their engagement ring or wedding rings. There are cubic zirconia rings in white gold and also in platinum which are inexpensive yet high quality.
• Antique Rings, although less common in cubic zirconia, are available at vintage jewelry shops and online. They may not be hundreds of years old but many were created in the 60’s and 70’s and are very unique. There are also the vintage or antique rings that are new but made to look antique. There are a few styles in gold rings, but most are white gold rings or platinum or antiqued titanium because titanium lends itself to looking antique, also brushed silver is a good antique ring alternative.

  In the old days many engagement rings and wedding rings were not diamond, some of the most beautiful rings were pearl rings with a few diamonds around the pearl or on the band. There are new antique style rings designed with a freshwater pearl or cultured pearl and small cubic zirconia in place of diamonds. These rings are very feminine and may be just the thing you were looking for instead of a large diamond engagement ring or wedding band.

• Emerald Rings throughout history have often been used for engagement and marriage. There is nothing that says you must have a diamond or a transparent gem or a cubic zirconia as the main stone in your ring.

  Cubic zirconia rings come in a wide variety of colors and may mimic the color of an emerald, or you may opt for a synthetic version of an emerald ring with cubic zirconia as accents, like diamonds. These rings, not traditional, but are exquisite and may now be affordable thanks to cubic zirconia technology and to the vast array of designers who incorporate less expensive gems in silver and gold ring settings.

• Pearl Rings as a diamond engagement ring alternative can now be accessible due to cultural pearls and the cubic zirconia accents that set off the pearl in a ring. As stated above, these pearl rings may be just the option you want if you normally wear pearls instead of precious stones. A diamond engagement ring is not for every lady and you mustn’t feel you have to have diamonds just because it’s your wedding day.

  Try a classic gold ring setting but select a large freshwater pearl, perhaps in a champagne color that matches your bridal gown, and accent with cubic zirconia. It’s elegant, classic, very stylish and ultra feminine. If this is something you want, you may have to mention it to your fiancé because it may not be what he had in mind for you.

• Ruby Rings are not just for those events when you need a bright red bauble. If you are a ruby kind of gal, let your fiancé know that you’d prefer a ruby to a diamond and thanks to colored cubic zirconia rings you may get what your heart desires. If not a real ruby, perhaps you can check out synthetic rubies or other natural stones similar in color and accent with cubic zirconia. Get what you really want in an engagement ring or wedding ring and don’t let tradition hold you to diamonds.
• CZ Engagement Rings like diamond rings can give you the traditional diamond ring look without the price tag. You can choose from gold ring settings to sterling silver and combinations of titanium bands with platinum or white gold or 14K gold inlays or overlays or many other options. Jewelry can be affordable in any precious metal if you use cubic zirconia instead of diamonds. When you search online, for places to buy your engagement rings or wedding rings, try using the abbreviation CZ rings to get more choices.
• Designer Rings are not just for the rich. There are two kinds of cubic zirconia rings in this category, the ones that are made by designers specifically for cubic zirconia and the manufactured versions that imitate the designer equivalents in diamond creations. Both are good options for cubic zirconia designs and less expensive than real precious gems.
• Wedding Ring Sets can be difficult to choose no matter what they are made from because they usually are comprised of two or three rings: one engagement ring for her, one wedding band for her and one wedding band for him. It’s difficult to find a set that works well for her hands and also for his.

  That being said, it’s easier if the price is lower and there is a wider selection as is the case with cubic zirconia wedding rings that come in sets. It’s possible to have a ring that has a large cubic zirconia stone for her and simple chip diamond lookalikes for him. Also, there are now many color variations in wedding bands, such as tricolor or two-tone bands mixing gold and titanium or white gold and yellow gold.

• Wedding Ring selection may not be about diamonds at all. It may be simply a choice of wedding bands, perhaps two bands with some diamond chips or a set of eternity rings with cubic zirconia all around or two simple titanium rings for him and her.
• Men’s Rings are the most difficult to select because men traditionally (in the western world) wear less jewelry than women. That is not always true, but when it comes to choosing a wedding band for your fiancé you might be wondering why spend so much on a diamond ring when he will only wear it when he gets dressed up. There are a couple simple solutions. Buy him a ring that matches your own with a cubic zirconia so it’s not so expensive and won’t bother you if it’s worn less or select a plain band he can wear everyday with comfort. This depends on your man’s taste. If he is a little more eclectic, consider a larger cubic zirconia in a titanium setting.

Whatever ring you decide to go with, keep in mind the many options available with cheap cubic zirconia engagement rings and wedding rings so that you and sweetheart can dazzle without being frazzled.

He didn’t have an engagement ring…

.. Instead he had a set of silver earrings he said would remind us to listen to each other. I accepted and a month and half later we were married in Hong Kong. That was 2 years ago, and we now live in Spain, and everything around us has changed, but I’ll never forget the feeling of that moment when he inserted the earrings into my ears, and in the scant evening light, offered me a tiny mirror to look at myself. I didn’t care so much about what the earrings looked like as the way his eyes glistened with tears as I said YES.

Rings –Symbols of Moments

I’m sure you have your own engagement story that moved you and has brought you to the point of wanting to join your life with the man or woman of your dreams.

Engagement rings or earrings or the wedding rings you choose to complete this union may be of little importance when compared with the way they are given, and the feeling that binds two spirits. Rings (or some kind of jewelry) simply remain as a symbol to carry with us each day and remind us of those moments that have made life worth living. It’s worth some thought into what wedding rings you will give your partner, not so much to select the perfect zirconia or wedding band or to fulfill some childhood fantasy, but because your rings will forever remind you of that moment, that day…

Washing the Dishes and Wedding Rings

My husband and I chose matching wedding bands in silver, simple, handmade by a Chinese artist. Later I was given a silver ring with a type of cubic zirconia gemstone that I wear with the wedding band. None of them were very expensive but they are priceless to me.

That is why I recommend cubic zirconia rings because it’s not about price, it’s not about real diamonds or fake imitations, it’s not about showing off or impressing friends, it’s about the flutter in your tummy when you look at your hands while washing the dishes and you remember…oh…I’m married…I’m with the man I love…I finally found him!

Continue reading about Mens Cubic Zirconia Rings

He will treasure his ring and feel naked without it just as you will. The key to lady’s rings and men’s rings is how they’re given, what they represent and if the style will suit your partner’s everyday lifestyle.

Cubic Zirconia Rings and Honeymoon Dreams

Cubic zirconia rings can be a great alternative to diamonds because there is no reason to spend hundreds, or thousands, of dollars on jewelry that you could better use to create memories, to live, to share with your friends or to just have a more exciting honeymoon of your dreams. (My husband and I went to Macau and two other islands in the South China Sea, which would have been impossible had we bought expensive diamonds wedding rings.)

Gold or silver rings, wedding ring sets with cubic zirconia settings in titanium or platinum, antique engagement rings handed down as heirlooms or white gold bands with stones the size of mountains will not make your love stronger or your days happier. Although rings sparkle and diamonds are a tradition, the cubic zirconia bracelets, or ring, or earrings, or anklet or toe ring you give need only make your partner’s eyes sparkle when they say “I do!”

CZ Rings with dazzle not Frazzle

Since preparing for a wedding is stressful, and what really matters is the two of you, as I write I include suggestions for cubic zirconia rings that may be perfect for your special day. What’s even better is that you can buy CZ rings online and save yourself some time.

Choose your rings and have them shipped to your door instead of shopping in jewelry shops and getting frazzled over the choices. And with all the time and money you’ve saved ring shopping, pack a picnic basket with a bottle of wine and some cheese and go on…live a little…surprise your honey… because YOU (not diamonds) are your partner’s best friend.