While Marilyn Monroe would insist that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, one Tennessee woman insists that the love of a good man is better than any flashy jewelry. Sterling silver and CZ to be exact. He scraped up just enough money to buy me two matching rings from Pandora. While we were purchasing my rings however, another lady that was working there came over to help the lady selling them to us. So when they decided they wanted to get married, splurging on an engagement ring wasn’t really an option. That’s what sits on my ring finger, and I am so in love with them,’ she wrote. I wasn’t even thinking about rings, I just wanted to marry my best friend, but he wouldn’t have it. Ariel Desiree McRae, a 22-year-old education student from the town of Martin, has earned national attention with a Facebook post in which she shrugs off the need for a fancy rock in order to say I Do, proclaiming that she would have been happy with anything her now-husband had given her – including the $130 cubic zirconia ring set. Thousands of supports have chimed in to applaud her good attitude, with many even sharing pictures of their own teeny-tiny and nontraditional engagement rings. Still, Quinn insisted on getting Ariel a little something special to mark the occasion. Ariel met her husband Quinn online when she was 20, and now, two years later, she says they are scraping by to pay the bills.
Is YOUR man planning on proposing this Christmas? He already felt bad because he couldn’t afford the pear-shaped set that so obviously had my heart and covered my Pinterest page. Why do material possessions equate love? My set was 150 from a pawn shop,’ wrote another. It was shared widely, earning an additional 145,000 likes on the Love What Matters Facebook – click through the following web site www.facebook.com/SimilarSiteSearch/ – page. Sure they are nice, sure the sentiment is wonderful and I’m not trying to cut down any of your experiences, but when did it come to all that? Thousands of people have left comments of support, applauding Ariel for her perspective. 21 years ago,’ wrote one woman. Though she only shared the heartfelt message with her friends, it soon started to spread, racking up 45,000 likes. Many of them even shared similar stories, flashing photos of their own inexpensive engagement rings and sharing their stories. Y’all I would have gotten married to this man if it had been a 25¢ gum ball machine ring,’ she wrote before wondering just how it became so important in society to have a pricey piece of jewelry. When she said that, I watched my now-husband’s face fall.
Curved Silver Sterling Tube
If you’re as magpie-like about jewellery as I am, you’ll always be on the lookout for new brands and original pieces to add to your collection. Otiumberg positions itself as a demi-fine jewellery brand. Their goal is to make pieces that ‘will be your go-to for years to come’. But along with the prominent brands we all know and love, there are a load of under-the-radar gems (no pun intended) out there just waiting to be discovered. If you love keeping things unique and prefer to shop independent, these jewellery brands are worth checking out and keeping in mind for your next purchase. The brand’s founders, sisters Christie and Rosanna Wollenberg, believe you shouldn’t just save beautiful jewellery for best, so the sculptural rings and earrings are as practical as they are elegant. Tilly Sveaas founded her eponymous brand in 2016. Born in Hong Kong to British-Norwegian parents, London-based Tilly has been a jewellery designer for over 25 years, creating her first pieces during an extended trip to Bali, where she still produces to this day. This British brand was launched in the autumn of 2024 by Tofi Caroline Adedoyin, a former investment banking director. There are so many amazing affordable and mid-range jewellery brands out there today, with a plethora of choice no matter what your style. Her signature T-bar necklaces have been worn by the likes of Taylor Swift. All Grove & Vae jewellery is designed in London, and created using 14k gold vermeil and rhodium-plated sterling silver.
Think timeless glamour meets modern minimalism, without the unattainable price tag.
The brand focuses on creating timeless, versatile pieces tailored to the modern woman’s everyday wardrobe. The brand uses solid metals – not plated or vermeil, and promises no green fingers or brass rash. Catherine ‘Catch’ Rhys Jones started her label out of a frustration with the jewellery she was buying. Items are produced in developing countries, giving the artisans income to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. The pieces are gorgeous too – from delicate pendants to eye-catching hoops, available in either 18ct gold vermeil or sterling silver. I was tired of sacrificing style for quality, or my bank account for both’ says Neima Row founder Naomi Genes. Prior to starting Bijoux De Mimi, Amelia attended Central Saint Martins. Crystals & Co. founders (and best friends) Emily Mackeogh and Leah O’Reilly aim to accessorise peoples lives with fun, high quality affordable jewellery. Made by small workshops all over the world, each piece holds a story. So she decided to make her own. It specialises in bright, colourful jewellery. After working in the jewellery industry for 10 years, Amelia Bainbridge saw a gap in the market for jewellery that was both beautiful and affordable – and Auree was born in 2014. All Auree pieces are made with the highest quality solid gold, sterling silver or gold vermeil and natural gemstones. With Love Darling believes in changing the world one piece of jewellery at a time. Think timeless glamour meets modern minimalism, without the unattainable price tag. Founded by Amelia Hitchcock-Merritt in the middle of lockdown at just eighteen, Bijoux De Mimi became one of the fastest growing jewellery brands in the UK. It always came with lengthy care instructions and still tarnished after only a few wears or turned my skin green’ she says.
It was established in 2009, with the ethos that jewellery should say a lot about who you are, whether big and bold or delicate and gold. Scream Pretty’s signature style is the curated ear – combining piercings and ear cuffs, to create bold stand out styling. Dreamt up on a bicycle ride through Rajasthan, India, the British jewellery brand Memara was launched in 2019, with the aim to create beautiful, timeless yet affordable demi-fine pieces. After growing up in Singapore, founder Lynette Ong left her job in finance to pursue a dream of using her creativity for the better. The brand is named after Olivia’s mother Deborah Louise who Olivia sadly lost to cancer in 2017. With the loss of her mother, Olivia felt life was too short to not be truly passionate about the everyday and D.Louise was born. The eclectic collection draws inspiration from founder Abby Kaye’s past experiences and travels through India, as well as her childhood in London and love of nature. Pieces are made in sterling silver with 18ct gold vermeil. Founded by Olivia Jenkins in 2021, D. Louise creates timeless long-lasting yet affordable jewellery. Abby is a big believer in the talismanic and restorative power of jewellery, and strives to create designs that are both ethical and fashioned with love. Award winning British Jewellery Brand Scream Pretty was founded by Lucy Lee with her sister Jessica Pearce in 2016. This family run business designs jewellery for self expression; affordable, stylish and fun – jewellery to shout about. The ranges include a collaboration with Vogue Williams. Olivia’s pursuit began when she identified a gap in the jewellery market – the need for everyday pieces that wouldn’t fade after a few wears – with this every piece comes with a lifetime guarantee against colour fading.