Who doesn't want that beautiful Ruby ring, or those gorgeous Emerald earrings, but most of us cannot afford to don ourselves so lavishly in these expensive gems, especially in this tough economy. There are alternatives, that you may not be aware of, to those sparkling Sapphires and dazzling Diamonds. Remember Christmas is only a few months away, time to start planning now.
Diamond, the most sought after and desired gem in the world. Also, one of the most expensive. Want that dazzling look without spending the big bucks? One great option is White Topaz (left.) This is a good option because it has that diamond 'look' for much less money. This is a very affordable alternative. Other options include White Sapphire, and of course Cubic Zirconium. 
One substitution for Sapphire is Blue Topaz. This stone is much less expensive than Sapphire and will give you a similar blue sparkle. You can get a nice sized Topaz for significantly less than a Sapphire. A 'London Blue' Topaz (left) has a dark color much like a dark blue Sapphire. 
Another great switch, Rubellite Tourmaline for Ruby. Rubellite Tourmaline's are very red, like the ruby, and have a good clarity and color overall. A true Rubellite Tourmaline (left) can be pricey but much, much less than an equal size in Ruby. If you are looking for even less expensive, Garnet is always a good choice.Finally, one of the most glorious gemstones, the Emerald. Some Emeralds even cost more than Diamonds. These gems are fabulously colored that deep glorious green. There are other stones that will give you a brilliant green without, well, the green! Green Tourmaline (below left) is one substitute for Emerald. These beautiful stones come in a variety of shades of green and a variety of prices. These are affordable alternatives to Emeralds. Another substitute is Chrome Diopside (below right.) What's that, you say? Chrome Diopside? This is a soft gem that is a very affordable substitute to Emerald or even Green Tourmaline. It comes in brilliant green shades and is striking. The downside is that it is a soft stone so it is best suited for pendants and earrings.
So if you're looking for affordable alternatives to those bedazzling baubles, don't fret, there are options. Semi-precious gems are always more affordable than the precious ones, and synthetics will always be cheaper than semi-precious. Yes, precious and semi- precious jewelry will always be the most coveted, but synthetic doesn't mean fake, it means lab made, and it can also be a good alternative.
Remember when buying jewelry ask for a guarentee, this will help to cover you if something happens to the piece, and a certificate stating what you are buying. Remember to check the store's return policy incase the size is wrong or you have a change of heart. Finally, remember the old addage 'if something sounds to good to be true, it probably is.'
Pictures from: Gemstone.org, HSN, and AspireAuctions.com
Reference: Gemstone.org
Mason Winters-
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