dIAMONDS!
Until the late 1930's less than 10% of engagement rings contained diamonds. Now, almost all do. Things have changed so drastically, that most of today's jewellers know very little about coloured gemstones at all, and if they sell them, usually sell inferior ones in gold settings, with diamonds surrounding them so that they can charge a high price. Before DeBeers started brainwashing the consumer, most engagement rings were other precious stones.... usually sapphires. It is worth noting that Kate Middleton's ring is a large blue sapphire. Perhaps royals do not brain wash so easily! :-)
I am not a fan of diamonds: they are overpriced and not nearly as rare as people are led to believe. I much prefer sapphires.
BUT. I have accounts with the largest suppliers to the jewellery (diamond) business . I have not used them for years, but assume they are still valid. I can provide almost anything available in jewellery stores at VERY competitive prices. I prefer not to, but will if you request. I have little or no overhead, and as long as I can make a profit for the charities I support, I can probably provide at a better price than anyone else.
DeBeers totally dominates the diamond trade. In the 1870's, the discovery of huge deposits of diamonds threatened to make the value plummet. DeBeers decided to dominate the market, buying up all the diamonds and totally controlling the prices they sold for. They spent obscene amounts of money to convince people that diamonds are rare and that the only way for a man to convince a woman that he valued her was to buy her a diamond. They used to suggest spending a months salary on a diamond. Now I think they suggest two!
DeBeers succeeded beyond their wildest expectations. Today, almost all engagement rings are diamonds. I can get you diamonds if you want at exceptional prices. But, I you consider alternatives. I have had a love affair with coloured gems for some time. You can get a MUCH larger stone for a LOT less. Pick the stone you like: there are so many beautifully coloured gems. Then decide what stones you wish to surround your choice ( the melee stones) I prefer clear melee sapphires.
Diamond reserves have been stable in recent years at 2.3 billion carats, a sufficient level to sustain current annual production for the next 18 years. New pipeline and expansion projects along with currently operating facilities will generate around 172.3 million carats in 2025 . DeBeers operates in 35 countries and mining takes place in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Canada and Australia