Although the traditional engagement ring has a diamond as it's centerpiece, not every budget can afford a large ring to offer when purposing marriage to a future bride. Cubic Zirconia, a synthetic crystal created in laboratories is to the naked eye, indistinguishable from a real diamond.

Does this mean that it is appropriate to give a lab created jem that resembles a diamond, if only because there is not enough money to buy a real diamond, this is a decision best left up to the woman.

Women are all different and what is appropriate for one, may not be for another. Some women, knowing that her boyfriend does not have the ability to give her the large diamond engagement ring she's always dreamed of, would be content recieving a similar jewel that to everyone who see's it will look just like her dream ring. Other women however may be entirely turned off to this idea. Many of these women would rather have a smaller, real diamond with a lower standard of clairity then to just make do with a fake diamond.

Only when your future bride has explicitly said that she would be content with a cubic zirconia engagement ring is it ever okay to purchase one. Be careful though, sometimes her words are carefully guarding her true feelings. She may not want to injure her future fiance's pride and will say it is satisfactory even when it is not.

The women who the cubic zirconia engagment ring is most right for, are the ones who really don't care about where the jems came from, but only the beauty the engagment ring setting depicts and the meaning behind it.

Remember also that you can always upgrade her ring setting at a later date when you two are more finacially secure. The cubic zirconia can be replaced with a real diamond at any time.

A White Gold Cubic Zirconia Engagement Ring Should Start at no less then $50 and can go generally up to almost $1000. At $1000, you may be better off looking at some lower quality diamond rings, some beautiful ones available at around $800.

If your budget is more in the $100 to $500 range, your on target for finding a great engagement ring featuring the simulated gemstone.

Q. Why are some CZ rings priced under $50?

A. These rings are generally white gold or yellow gold plated. This means that the band itself is generally made of another metal, commonly silver or copper, and that only the outside of the band is dipped in the gold and it can wear off over time. What you want is a engagement ring band that is not plated. While it still may need cleaning and possibly a redipping in gold in the coming years to retain it's brilliance, the entire band contains certain percentage of real gold. These are the ones that are going to cost more. Look for 14k to know you are getting the best.

One thing the cubic zirconia gemstone has going for it is the ability to be made into different colors by adding different elements. Cubic Zirconia, in addition to coming in the clear diamond looking stone, also can be made in the colors; yellow, orange, red, green, purple, pink, and golden brown.

For some women, having a beautiful pink engagement ring might actually be a pleasant alternative to the traditional. If choosing colored cubic zirconia gemstones for the engagement ring setting, consider using 14k white gold for the band. The silver color band will reflect the color of the gemstone better then a yellow gold band would.