#natural emerald and diamond ring

[choridajewels]

Handmade Natural Emerald Engagement Rings by Chordia Jewels

In the world of engagement rings, where diamonds often grab the limelight, one gemstone is known for its beauty and uniqueness - check out the Handmade Natural Emerald Engagement Rings by Chordia Jewels. We'll delve deeper into the mesmerizing world of emerald engagement rings, exploring their allure, craftsmanship, and why they're an excellent choice for your declaration of love.

[renatojewellers]

✨ Discover the elegance of Renato Jewellers' unique diamond set crosses! Each piece is a blend of timeless beauty and modern style, featuring meticulously selected diamonds & coloured gemstones. Perfect for any occasion, our crosses symbolise faith and sophistication. Items are available in 18ct & 9ct gold. Contact us to arrange a time to view the collection! 💎

[fashionjewelry]

Radiant Gemstone Rings for Every Jewelry Enthusiast

Our stunning collection of radiant gemstone rings designed to captivate every jewelry enthusiast. Discover the perfect gemstone ring to add sparkle and beauty to your collection. Read more: https://medium.com/@stullssteven/radiant-gemstone-rings-for-every-jewelry-enthusiast-52b9b9dc923b

[gemsbuild]

Whispers of Gems

Beneath the earth, in caverns deep, Where shadows sleep and secrets keep, Lie treasures bright, a dazzling sight, Gemstones that burn with inner light.

The ruby red, a fiery heart, With passion's flame, it plays its part. An emblem bold of love's desire, A burning ember, fierce and bright.

The emerald green, a verdant hue, Like springtime leaves kissed fresh with dew. A symbol of hope, forever new, Of growth and life, forever true.

The sapphire blue, a tranquil sky, Where whispers soft of angels fly. A promise made, a truth untold, Serenity's touch, serene and cold.

The amethyst, a regal cloak, With wisdom's grace, it gently spoke. A calming peace, a gentle rain, Washing away all doubt and pain.

The diamond clear, a teardrop bright, Reflecting all in purest light. A symbol pure of innocence, A lover's vow, a life's defense.

Each gem a story, time untold, Of fire and ice, and ages old. A spark of beauty, held within, Treasures to wear, a radiant sin.

By Gemsbuild.com

[certifiedfinejewelry]

Sapphire Diamond Stud Earrings

There is no doubt that sapphire diamond stud earrings have caught the eye of kings and queens because of their striking beauty. People have emphasized this belief till now—the signs of royalty stick with sapphire diamond stud earrings, which women often fell in love with.

[ledyjewels]

[eustassslut]

Thinking about how Sabo would steal all sorts of jewellery and expensive clothes from the nobles he encounters on his missions. He takes diamond bracelets, emerald rings, handbags worth more than his own bounty and clothes so rare they have waiting lists of almost a decade. Then when his mission is over he returns back to the base and gives it all as gifts to you, decking you out in the finest the four seas and the Grandline has to offer.

You don't know if it's his desire to provide for you and his own strange way of thanking you for loving him so beautifully or a way of reminding the nobles of what they have to loose and rubbing it in their faces that their important social status can be taken away so easily to be given to a commoner. Sabo is sadistic and arrogant, he burns with hatred and is motivated by a messy sense of justice but he loves you in his own weird way.

The luxurious bracelets and necklaces that cover your body and the high-end bags that you wear as though they were commonly found in a normal boutique are proof of that. He's arrogant but his arrogance always falls at your feet and submits to a desire to make you happy. However, sometimes his own whims have to win and the hours he spends between your legs as you lay sprawled out in your sheets decorated in priceless luxuries are his tools of revenge against those who oppress the world.

Sabo's tongue spreads the Revolutionary Army's message and criticises the nobles, but it also serves to make you feel good. His hands steal overpriced artisan objects and fight off corruption; but also clasp on expensive jewellery to your neck and caress your body so he never forgets how you feel pressed against him. He craves and loves you with a deep burning passion and he serves his job with that same passion. So it's only natural that they combine occasionally in your bedsheets and escape through your cries of pleasure beneath him.

[choridajewels]

Natural Handmade Emerald Engagement Rings by Chordia Jewels

Find the perfect Natural Emerald Engagement Rings for your loved one at Chordia Jewels. We offer a wide selection of handcrafted emerald rings in a variety of styles to choose from. Our emeralds are natural and conflict-free, so you can be sure you're getting a beautiful and ethical ring. Shop online or visit our showroom today!

[thesimline]

1920s BIRTHSTONE LOOKBOOK - PART 1

To coincide with the recent release of the Crystal Creations pack I wanted to put together a couple of fun lookbooks inspired by birthstones. My mind first went to whimsigoth, but since I've already done one of those recently I instead went with the decade that oozed glittery glamour - the 1920s. Want more good time gals and fabulous flappers? You can check out part two here.

Garnet was believed to be a protective stone, which made it popular amongst warriors and royalty. Red variety garnets are also associated with vitality, love and light.

Tiara | Hair | Earrings (TSR) | Capelet (TSR) | Dress (retired - direct download) | Brooch | Gloves | Bracelet (TSR) | Ring (TSR) | Stockings (Base Game) | Shoes

Amethyst was favoured by the ruling class thanks to its purple colour, which has long been a hue connected to royalty. Over time it has also come to be associated with spirituality, mental clarity and healing.

Hair | Hairband | Earrings (TSR) | Necklace (TSR) | Coat | Gloves | Ring (TSR) | Stockings (Base Game) | Shoes

Aquamarine comes from the Latin word for seawater and as such, was thought to protect seafarers. The stone can also be associated with martial happiness and superior intellect.

Hairband | Hair | Earrings | Necklace (TSR) | Dress | Cuffs | Ring | Shoes

Diamond is probably the most well known of the precious gems. Because of their association with strength and eternal love, they're a popular choice for engagement and wedding rings.

Hat | Hair (retired - direct downloand) | Earrings (TSR) | Necklace & Armbands | Dress | Gloves | Stockings (Spooky Stuff) | Shoes

Emerald has a legend that says wearing it will imbue the wearer with heightened intelligence and objectivity. Others use the stone to promote healing, while some even believe it allows the wearer to predict the future.

Hair | Hairband | Earrings (TSR) | Necklace | Dress | Gloves (Vampires) | Bracelet (TSR) | Ring | Shoes (TSR)

Pearl is often valued for its unblemished surface and colouring, so naturally it is most commonly connected to qualities like honesty, purity and wisdom.

Hair | Hairband | Earrings (retired - direct download) | Necklace | Dress | Fur Stole (Curseforge) | Bracelets | Stockings | Shoes

With thanks to some amazing creators: @glitterberrysims @simmister @batsfromwesteros @sentate @jius-sims @qwertysims @nell-le @rimings @yakfarm @simsonico @serenity-cc @simandy @the-melancholy-maiden @trillyke

[monster-disaster]

Are you doing anything for Mer-May?🌊

It’d be fun to have a story between a mermaid reader and maybe two love interests. Being a human man and merman 👉🏻👈🏻

merman!Lauran x mermaid!Reader x human!Alex Good to know: no warnings

A/N: Well, I'm reeeeaally late with this, but I hope you will still find some joy reading it. :)

The sea shimmers under the blazing midday sun, casting a brilliant glow across the water. Vivid greens and blues sparkle under the bright rays that scatter across the waves. Gentle ripples move in a rhythmic pattern, pushing and rocking the small boat on the surface. In the distance, the land appears as a thin, delicate strip, barely visible at the edge of the horizon.

Your laughter mingles with the soothing sound of the crashing waves as you dart out of the water with a joyful shriek. Droplets of seawater glisten on you like tiny diamonds as the sun kisses your skin. Your eyes follow the familiar form of your mate, whose scales shimmer in shades of emerald and sapphire beneath the glimmering water. His movements are quick and graceful as he grabs your lover's waist with a swift motion and pulls him up to the surface. The sight of Alex's shocked expression at the sudden change of position makes you laugh even harder. The sound blends seamlessly with the waves and the cries of the seagulls above.

"Alex," Lauran grins. "It's your turn now."

The human just groans, making the other male grin.

Your gaze lingers on the pair for a long second. Lauran, your mate, is an enchanting beauty with long, blond hair cascading down his back. His straight nose, hard jawline, and perfect, sharp teeth add to his captivating allure. Beside him, Alex has a natural, boyish charm. He is leaner than the merman. His physique is shaped by living on land and spending long hours in the water. His dark hair is tousled and tangled with salt and bright sunlight. The contrast between them is striking, yet they complement each other perfectly.

"You’re too slow, Alex!" You tease the human. Your laughter rings out as you swim absently in the water. With a few flicks of your tail, you glide closer, then dart away at the last moment, always staying just out of his reach. Alex, determined, lunges after you. His movements are fast but not quite enough to catch you. Water splashes everywhere, and your giggles grow louder. Meanwhile, Lauran floats nearby with an amused smile on his lips. He swims around Alex, his cockiness is obvious as he watches the playful scene between his lovers.

The chase whirls you around the boat in a dizzying circle. As you swim, your hand skims the wet side of the vessel. The surface is cool and slick beneath your fingers. You glance over your shoulder every now and again before ducking down and appearing somewhere else.

"It's not fair, you know?" Alex pants. His breath comes in quick, heavy bursts, but he still refuses to give up. His face is flushed with effort and excitement. His shoulders are slightly red from the sun.

"Slow down, my love," Lauran cuts in, his voice soothing and amused. He swims up to Alex, gently placing his webbed hand on the back of the man's neck. The touch sends a shiver through the young man's body, and you can see goosebumps rise on his sun-kissed skin as he closes his eyes for a long, blissful moment.

"We don’t want to exhaust him too soon," you agree, joining the pair with a playful smile. Wrapping your arms around Alex’s neck, you pull him close, pressing your bodies together. You can feel his muscles relaxing and melting against you, and a contented sigh escapes your lips as you bask in the warmth radiating from him. He smells like summer and salt.

"No," Lauran hums softly into the crook of Alex’s neck. His lips graze the sensitive skin with gentle, nibbling kisses. The merman’s touch is both tender and teasing.

Taking control, you lean in to kiss your human lover. Your lips brush against his with a playful nip on the soft flesh of his lower lip. You tug it gently before allowing your tongue to explore the warmth of his mouth. He tastes like the sea and something else. Even after spending so much time in the water with you and Lauran, there is still an earthy tint about him. His presence is a grounding, connecting the world outside to your realm in the sea.

"But you are still slow," you giggle. Every word you say brushes against his slightly open lips.

"I would like to see how fast you would be with legs," he retorts before pressing against you for another searing kiss.

You spend the day in this blissful dance in the salty embrace of the sea and the caress of the burning sunlight. You chase each other through the water with kisses, warm touches, and silly jokes. Time seems to stretch as you move together in a carefree rhythm.

When the sun dips below the horizon, coloring the sky in brilliant hues of orange and pink, Lauran gently guides Alex back into the boat. His worry and protectiveness for the human are evident in every movement he makes. No matter how much time Alex spends in the water, he will never have muscles like you or Lauran. He gets tired and sore much more easily than the merfolk.

Alex, however, glances back at the pair of you with a sad look as you and your mate start to push the boat towards the land in the distance. His voice tinted with reluctance. "I don't want to go home yet. It's still early."

Lauran's eyes soften with a reassuring smile as he responds, "As you wish, my love. The day doesn’t have to end just yet."

As you push and steer the boat with Alex aboard, the three of you navigate toward your favorite spot; a secluded cove not far from the bustling beach. The cove is framed by jagged rocks, separating it from the outside world. The boat glides through the water with a gentle sway while the busy beach fades into the background. The splashes under your tail echo off the rugged walls.

Alex climbs out of the boat onto the sandy shore, leaving a wet trail behind. You and Lauran follow him, emerging from the water until your upper bodies and most of your tails are on the beach. The sand clings to your damp skin as you settle down next to Alex, feeling its warmth beneath you. You rest your head on your human's arm while Lauran curls up against him. His scales catch the last of the fading sunlight as he gazes out through the entrance of the cove.

The sounds of the bustling beach seem distant now, replaced by the gentle whispers of the evening breeze and the rhythmic lull of the waves.

"I don't want this summer to end," Alex says, breaking the silence first. A small scowl forms between his brows as he thinks about the future. The thought of you and Lauran going back to your own world when the summer ends weighs heavily on his chest.

You and the merman exchange a knowing glance, both feeling the same reluctance and worry. As autumn approaches and the temperature begins to drop, you and your kind prepare for your annual journey across the sea. It’s a cycle that repeats year after year, a rhythm of migration that’s as much a part of your life as the changing seasons.

"We could stay," you reply, your voice is heavy with the unknown. The idea of remaining in this place is both thrilling and daunting. It’s not uncommon for merfolk to make such a decision, but it is a significant one with challenges and sacrifices.

Lauran nods, his gaze softening as he looks at Alex, who is nestled comfortably between you both. "If you want us, we could stay," he says gently, offering the possibility with an open heart.

As you all lie together in the quiet cove and the stars begin to twinkle above, the lingering decision feels like a chance for something new. For something exciting.

[evillemons]

hiii i love ur work!!! could u do what their marriage proposals would be like? like who’s most likely to have a public / private one, or spontaneous or planned? ☺️

Hi there! Thank you for your request, I love this one :) I'm sorry it took so long to get out, I've had an unbelievably crazy month and took a little break from Tumblr. I also initially tried to write these in the form of short stories, but absolutely hated them, so I decided to scrap them and start over in my usual style.

As an aside: realistically, I don't think any of them would propose in a public setting due to their status. I actually see most of them having really humble and intimate proposals to keep things simple and away from public attention. Now, without further ado:

How BTS would propose

Jin - Jin would really want to make his proposal special, so he would likely start planning a few weeks in advance. He's extremely introverted and a little shy, so there's no way in hell he would propose in public, but he would still want to make a grand romantic gesture to show his girlfriend how much he means to her. It would be a whole day affair, involving breakfast in bed, a professional massage, and online shopping. For the actual proposal, he would take her to the beach at sunset where he manually set up an intimate oasis with a blanket and pillows, candles, lanterns, champagne, and flowers. "Marry me" would be spelled out in rose petals on the sand. Traditionally, he would also get one knee and present a white gold ring with a modest, singular round diamond.

V - Taehyung wouldn't want the proposal to be too grand or flashy as to not attract attention from bystanders, yet he would try to be creative and unexpected. And while elaborate, he would likely come up with the plan last minute and spend a sleepless two or three days arranging everything. The theme would be a scavenger hunt around the city, where each destination holds a cryptic poem that leads to another. Each place would hold some sort of significance in the relationship, like where they first bumped into each other or had their first kiss. The final clue would lead her to him in an open field at night, atop a picnic blanket underneath the stars. He would take his time to tell her everything he loves about her, that she is his soulmate and he couldn't imagine his life without her, before officially proposing. His ring choice would undoubtedly be something nontraditional or vintage, like an opal or emerald.

RM - As he does with everything, Namjoon would be overthinking about whether or not to propose for months, maybe even a year. He might come up with a few ideas here and there that he thought his girlfriend might like, but end up getting so frustrated that he decides to put it off for another time. While he would prefer to plan something meaningful, his proposal would end up being a completely in-the-moment type of situation as a result of his sentimental nature. Him and his girlfriend might just be chatting over dinner one night, where he has the sudden epiphany that he is certain he wants to spend the rest of his life together and that there is no reason to wait. He would ask her to marry him spontaneously, without a ring or a grand gesture, but he would somehow find the most poetic, extraordinarily romantic and loving words to say. He would later take her shopping to pick out exactly the ring she wants.

j-hope - Hoseok's bougie-ass would insist on taking his girlfriend on a fancy, first class vacation to propose; anything less would be inappropriate. Hobi is undeniably the planning type, although I think he might hire someone to arrange all the details and reservations for the trip rather than doing it himself. I also think he would have the most traditional proposal, and take her somewhere undeniably romantic like Venice or Paris. He would make sure there is a jam-packed agenda for the entire vacation, transitioning directly from one scenic outing to the next. At sunset, he would take her to a high-end restaurant by the water, where he would recite a rehearsed speech that he practiced for days (at a private reserved table, of course) about how much she means to him. He would then pull out a burgundy velvet box to reveal a sparkling, semi-large diamond ring that he picked out with the help of an expert.

Jimin - Jimin is probably the type to dream about proposing to his girlfriend after the first date. However, he's not one to be selfish either, and would try to perfectly cater the day to exactly what he thinks she would want. He would listen closely when she talks about the places she wants to visit, and then write them down later so he doesn't forget. I imagine the proposal occurring somewhere scenic and private that also incorporates some sort of fun activity, like a wine tasting in a winery followed by a walk in the vineyard, maybe even next to a small castle. Jimin would be grinning ear to ear the whole time, and as he gets on one knee, she would probably say yes before he can even utter a word. He would pick out a ring that's semi-traditional but with a unique twist, like a light pink diamond for the main stone, with a diamond band.

SUGA - Yoongi's proposal would be shockingly heartwarming and sentimental. He wouldn't do anything extravagant like a vacation or or grand gesture, but rather pour meaning into his proposal by revisiting history and the landmarks of their relationship. He would take her to the restaurant where they had their first date, the spot by the river where they had their first kiss, and reminisce together. The last location would be at the concert venue where they first met, to which he would book out for the day. In a cheesy, unlike Yoongi fashion (because the day has him feeling particularly sentimental), he would take the stage with his acoustic guitar and sing her a song he's been writing about her since the beginning. It would end with a declaration of wanting to be with her forever, despite everything. He may not initially opt for a ring and choose to discuss it with her afterwards, but if he did, he would pick out something extremely simple like a solid gold band or a very small diamond.

Jungkook - I think Jungkook would want to impress his girlfriend so badly (and also feel influenced by what a proposal "should" be like) that he would end up going way overboard with his proposal. He would send an outrageous amount of flower bouquets to her house, buy her a luxury dress, and take her out to eat at a high end restaurant. And that's not even part of the proposal. The proposal itself would be something adventurous and exciting, like inside a hot air balloon in mid air. It would all be a little excessive and overwhelming, but the sentiment still sweet nonetheless. He might also have the entire day planned in advance, but not know exactly when to propose until the right moment arises. When he does, he would probably be in tears and too nervous to say too much, and only manage a mousy "marry me". Ring wise, I think he would be excellent at picking something that suits her style perfectly.

[would-this-pokemon-be-a-friend]

Not sure if you've done it before because blog searches just don't work but how would umbreon work as a pet?

[You may have seen it already, but I’ll take any chance I can to link to the post containing my index doc, which works much better than blog searches here! I’ll put it at the bottom of this post.]

An umbreon might make a good pet for some owners, but they are definitely one of the weaker options when it comes to eevee evolutions. It really depends on the owner and what they can reasonably handle.

To begin with, however, like most pokémon of the aforementioned category, umbreons are a decent size to be a house pet. At three feet tall they’re certainly on the bigger size when compared to many real-world dogs and cats, but that’s pretty reasonable when compared to a lot of the pokémon we cover here on the blog. Now, when taking into account the pokédex data on this species, it’s difficult to tell if they tend to be friendly. There’s no mention of them living with humans or other umbreons, and by all means they seem to be stealthy, solitary predators who prefer to hide and use ambush tactics when hunting prey in the dead of night (Ruby/Sapphire, Emerald). It’s said that when these pokémon move around in the dark, the curious yellow rings on their fur glow, “striking fear into the hearts of anyone nearby” (Silver). This could be an involuntary response on the observers part, in which case an umbreon would make a terrible pet, but I’d be willing to wager that this glow is not intended as sort sort of psychological attack since it also occurs when they are simply excited (Crystal).

Umbreon care seems like it would be fairly straightforward… so long as they are in a good mood. Umbreons, like other species in the eevee evolution line, are natural predators. This could make them pretty dangerous, given their size, so I would suggest an abundance of caution and a keen awareness of their body language and mood at all times. Given their highly active lifestyle in the wild, umbreons need a lot of play time and enrichment: a sedentary pet they are not. Be prepared to offer them lots of opportunities to get their wiggles out! Keep in mind that this species is nocturnal (Ruby/Sapphire, Emerald, Diamond/Pearl), and will thus need the most attention at night; they’d be best fit for a night owl’s household.

There’s one strange quirk about umbreon biology that really hurts their pet ranking score, and it’s not something that can be easily gleamed just by looking at them. When agitated or angered, umbreons can actually spray poisonous sweat from their pores (Gold). This is, obviously, a huge problem. Not even the best pet owner can keep their pet from *ever* getting agitated, especially during stressful events like visits to the vet. This could pose a huge problem, though we don’t know exactly the potency of this poison. While an umbreon may be able to control the spraying of their sweat, it doesn’t seem like they can control the sweating itself, which could leave furniture, pet carriers, etc. covered with poisonous material. This is a factor that would make this pokémon an ill-fit for many owners.

Umbreons are, like I said earlier, pretty dangerous even without this sweat. These are large, agile hunters, who can use physical moves like Bite and Assurance to take down prey as easily as they can use special moves like Dark Pulse.

Overall, while an umbreon could make a pretty good pet for some owners, they are generally-speaking not a great choice, especially when other options, like an eevee, are available in most regions. I’d suggest potential umbreon adopters consider the risks before jumping into an adoption.

The Index:

[ohmenai]

Icelandic Elastic Kinks

On the rugged shores of a lake, nestled between Icelandic mountains that scratch the skies, the cool morning air nips at everything exposed. But there is warmth in the unexpected; there stands Ragnar, an erotic vision from the exotic lands known for its chill. I him through a friend of a friend, a stripper in need of a portfolio to promote his captivating nights.

It was like discovering a raw diamond in a sea of glass. With his intense emerald gaze under the rugged contrast of a blue bandana and his hair dark as the midnight sun, he was eager to be immortalized. In the dim light of dawn, his silhouette is stark against the serene backdrop. Today, he's not just a local dancer, but a deity ensnared in my artistic vision, eager to expand his allure onto the pages of my OhMenFlex collection.

It didn't take much to persuade him to strike a pose for me; he had a kinky affinity for the tight squeeze of elastic bands. So when I promised him a collection of these tantalizing rings, he readily complied, and strutted into the lagoon's embrace standing knee-deep. This bands wrapped tightly around his biceps, wrists, and neck, enhancing the beat of life that pulsates from his veins—a beat that seems to echo through that quiet morning.

But the bands' true masterpiece lay between his legs, where they coiled around his erect cock and saggy balls, squeezing them into an outline of salacious desires. Those bands around his raging hard-on, one on his base, another cradling his shaven nuts, and one crowning his ultra-sensitive glans made him gasp, the sensations undeniable, his meat stick hanging plump, skimming the water's surface. A single dark mole was highlighted on his engorged morcilla, nestled between prominent veins, as if it were a mark left by the Gods to distinguish him from mere mortals, was so damn provocative.

With each click of my camera, Ragnar's arousal became more palpable. The elastic bands had turned his cock into a cylinder of yearning, the head of his member glossy and outrageously sensitive. His shaven balls, seemed to quiver with anticipation, as if aching for release from their blue constraints. The session—though set in nature's lap—became a theatre of carnality, each shot a confession of ardent obsessions whispered into the ear of the world.

Available now at Patreon and Fanvue

[blushcoloreddreams]

The history of engagement rings and how diamonds became the norm

While today engagement rings represent a symbol of love and eternal commitment, historians believe the first engagement rings appeared in Ancient Rome - more as a symbol of a legal contract than love itself. But it’s only much later when we have the first introduction of diamonds for engagement rings.

The first diamond engagement ring known in history was given by Maximilian I, a Habsburg, in 1497. He traveled to meet his bride and brought her a diamond ring as a gift. This marked the beginning of the tradition of using diamonds in engagement rings. At that time, the only place to find diamonds was in India, making them extremely rare and expensive, something truly reserved for royalty.

As we move through history, we see a period when engagement rings fell out of fashion and were replaced by more elaborate, detailed wedding rings. Later, engagement rings came back into style. In 1840, with Queen Victoria's engagement, the tradition of the engagement ring became more consistent. However, the engagement ring she received is not the one that comes to mind today. Our imagination is filled with Tiffany's solitaire ring, often seen in movies. But Queen Victoria received a ring in the shape of a snake, as the snake was a symbol of eternal love. The main gemstone in the snake's head was an emerald, which is quite different from what we're used to. Why an emerald? It was the gemstone for her birth month, leading to another tradition: using colored gemstones in rings based on a person's birth month.

Returning to the subject of diamonds, we fast-forward to 1887 when diamonds were discovered in South Africa. This shifted the market away from India as the sole supplier, flooding the market with diamonds, and their prices dropped significantly. Something that had once been exclusive to royalty became accessible to the middle class, and diamonds became very popular.

In 1889, a company called De Beers emerged - which you may have heard of because celebrities often being seen wearing De Beers diamonds on red carpets - came to dominate the diamond market, controlling the supply. It established a monopoly in South Africa, and eventually, worldwide. To this day, only a few companies control the entire diamond trade, and diamonds remain so expensive not because they are extremely rare, but because the market is artificially controlled to prevent prices from dropping.

If you think in terms of rarity, for example, a Paraíba tourmaline is rarer than a diamond. Diamonds can be found in various countries, but Paraíba tourmalines are only found in specific regions of Brazil and a few locations in Africa. They are not as widespread. So, the high value of diamonds is not due to rarity. That’s not to say diamonds aren’t beautiful—they have many desirable characteristics, such as their hardness on the Mohs scale. Many marketing campaigns have been built around this.

In the 1930s, De Beers launched a campaign to have celebrities wear diamonds on the red carpet. This was during a time of war and the Great Depression when couples couldn't afford diamonds and were opting for other gemstones in their rings. By showcasing celebrities flaunting diamonds, they rekindled the desire and made it seem like a good investment for couples. The campaign worked very well, with sales increasing by 50% in the following years.

In the 1950s, De Beers launched another campaign, one we still repeat today: “Diamonds are forever,” drawing a connection between the diamond’s eternal nature and the commitment a person makes at that moment in their life. The campaign was a huge success, and we still repeat the phrase today, with sales soaring again. All of this solidified the diamond in our imagination as the perfect gemstone for engagement rings.

In 1953, the movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes starring Marilyn Monroe included that iconic scene with the pink dress where she sings and dances about diamonds being a girl's best friend. These are ideas we still repeat today, showing the powerful influence this has on our imagination. Movies often reinforce this idea, but I’m here to tell you that the value of diamonds is heavily influenced by market control, which limits supply to keep prices high, and by decades of marketing campaigns designed to create desire. I’m not saying you should stop liking diamonds—they remain a wonderful, beautiful gemstone with incredible brilliance. I just want you to know that they’re not your only option. If you like a colored gemstone that represents you, you can use it in your engagement ring.

Even looking at royal engagement rings, not just Queen Victoria's with an emerald, but also Princess Eugenie’s with a pink sapphire, and of course, the most famous engagement ring in the world, which belonged to Lady Diana and was passed down to Kate Middleton. It features a blue sapphire as the main gemstone, surrounded by diamonds and set in white gold. But what defines that ring is the blue sapphire. So, if you like a colored gemstone, feel free to put it in your ring without shyness or do you think Princess Kate is wrong or being tacky?