Friday is "Bride"day: Shhh... don't tell...

Welcome to the Friday is "Bride"day series in which I will introduce the latest DIY tip, wedding day idea, or major wedding decision I am facing in my quest for the perfect big day!

I am going to tell you a big secret. Well... more like make a confession. But it's a secret confesssion, so please don't tell. I'm trusting you...

I admit it....I have a wedding obsession. A big one.
Wait.... why are you rolling your eyes??? What do you mean, "Everyone already knows that?!?!"

Yeah, I guess you're right. I suppose the biggest giveaway is that I am writing a wedding planning blog and I haven't even gotten a ring yet.

Which brings me to secret confession Number Two: I have been stalking the ring posts on wedding forums. And I recently became obsessed with moissanite.

One of my favorite engagement rings from Moissanite & Co. {Photo courtesy of MoissaniteCo.com}

What is moissanite, you ask? Well, according to the Moissanite & Co website, "moissanite's unique gemstone composition and crystalline structure give it significantly greater luster, brilliance and more than two times the fire of a diamond." And it is ethically produced! I kind of want a ring that I can be proud of, not one that got to my hand by the conflict and pain of others. (Don't worry, I have no intention of spouting quotes from the movie Blood Diamond.) Mostly, I can't see forcing T to pay the exorbitant prices for a ring I may be hesitant or scared to wear in public because of the implications of its origin.

So, back to moissanite. And my latest obsessions. After I found Moissanite & Co during my google lurking, I have been pricing every different setting and stone combo I can find. And of course, because my mother and I are certain we used to be old rich women in a previous life, I stumbled upon the Tiffany inspired solitaire settings. *Insert dreamy eyed, princess themed, heavy sigh here*

The top image is straight from the Tiffany & Co. website. And if you clicked the link (I know you did!) and saw the price, I hope you didn't fall on the floor like I did.  Yes, $11,000 for the one carat solitaire. Ummm....I don't think you heard me: I said ELEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS!!! Maybe I had a VERY different idea about the cost of engagement rings. Or maybe I understand why I have never been tempted to look at Tiffany jewelry. Finding linens in "Tiffany blue" is about as far as I go. Now, the bottom image is courtesy of the Moissanite & Co. website. I love, love, LOVE this one because it looks both solid and beautifully delicate at the same time. When I read the part of the description that mentioned this was a "Tiffany inspired setting," I wanted to compare. And in my eyes, there is NO comparison: the moissanite wins, hands down. Plus, Moissanite & Co has an upgrade called Amora that enhances the brightness and color of the stone. Okay, okay, I know what you're thinking: get to the bottom line, Steph. A one carat round moissanite stone in the Tiffany inspired setting with the Amora upgrade comes to a whopping $920. Yep, that's less than 10% of the Tiffany ring.

See? Even in my materialistic moments like today, I can have my spoiled princess wishes while still being frugal. *Insert another dreamy sigh* Don't worry, I will be sure to share all the juicy, amazing details and photos when and if the day comes that this ring (or ANY) appears on my obsessed, greedy hand. Until then, I am going to go do something constructive and a little less superficial/materialistic.