Lots of options (Score 1)

I have a personal dislike for gold (I don't like soft yellow metals, nothing moral or anything against the metal) and I gave up diamands after having seen the Nova special many years back. When the time came for me to get attached in that way, I was able to talk it over with my SO and I ended up just getting her a custom platinum and white sapphire ring. The stone looks like diamond, so it fools people just looking at it who might otherwise get all animated about it not being 'real'. The weight of the platinum takes people by surprise and gives a very solid feel to the ring, much more than 14k would. We added in a neat latin inscription and some scrollwork around the stone and came up with a ring that was far nicer than most anything you find in the stores. Take the time to talk to her about why, and find a good jewler, preferably wholesale if you can, and you can get any kind of stone you like in something that is what you want for about 1/3rd the price of the retail stores pushing the diamonds. Disclaimer: I do not work for any company involved in this trade, I just like the old union jewlery houses over the mall stores. Where I got the ring made.