OK, just to clarify I like the idea of a 'non-traditional' ring. However, your lady may not, no matter what she tells you. In my experience, the engagement ring is not really for her, and it is definately not for you. The ring is for her to show off to her friends and family to say, 'Look how wonderful he is and how much he loves me!!' I understand that this sounds shallow, and you are probably saying to yourself that your woman is 'not that type of girl, she's better than that!'. Guess what hotshot, she 'aint.

This is what may go through her mind when you give her the rock:

"Oh what a beautiful ring, I hate DeBeers and he and I share that same passion! I love a non-traditional ring because I am a non-traditional girl, this ring is perfect for me and my man is perfect too! I love him.........Oh shit.....I have to show my mom this ring, and I have to show my best friend this ring, and I have to show all the girls at the PTA this ring!!....What the Hell am I going to say to them?? They don't understand how evil DeBeers is, and they don't understand how cool synthetic yellow diamonds are! How am I going to explain this! My man doesn't really care about me! I am the saddest girl in the world!!"

Well, it might not happen exactly like that, but you get my point. Just because you think that it's cool and important and you like it, doesn't mean that she will. Remember who you are buying the ring for.