Ever since I saw Victoria Beckham’s diamond engagement ring photographed in People Magazine I became completely enamored with the ring. I knew I had to have a 3-carat, marquise-cut Fl clarity diamond set into a platinum engagement band, designed by the Boodle & Dunthorne company and accented with two additional trillion-cut gemstones. But how could my boyfriend, a simple grad. student, afford to buy me this spectacular ring? Obviously we don’t make the kind of money that David Beckham does. 

I really had my heart set on this particular ring so I went to my local jewelers and asked if it were at all possible to create a look-alike ring that was closer to my price range since we can’t all afford Hollywood-style jewelry without a Hollywood pay check.My jeweler told me that for an affordable look-alike celeb ring I would probably have to compromise on a variety of the ring’s attributes. For instance, since I insisted on this particular engagement ring, I would have to settle for a ring with fake gemstones, (cubic zirconium or any other artificially created stone are affordable alternatives) or a ring set with less-expensive metals (silver instead of platinum or white-gold, or a low karat yellow-gold).

When I asked my jeweler if the stones he’d use in my look-alike ring would be identical to the original’s (assuming I would decide on using real, natural gemstones) he explained that diamonds are characterized by four attributes: cut, clarity, color, carat weight and vary enormously in each of these categories. No two diamonds are identical in clarity, color, carat weight and cut. For example, two diamonds can have the same color grade yet have different inclusions, blemishes and flaws embedded into their structure (meaning the clarity is dissimilar) and that the inclusions are extremely varied (for example, scratches, knots, nicks, feathers, cracks etc.).In addition, various cuts mean a multitude of shapes. Different shapes mean a variety of faceted stones in various sizes, polishes and symmetries. Also, differences in cuts produce differences n diamond brilliance, fire and luster. And, two diamonds sharing the same carat weight may not be similar in dimension or size. For example, A shallowly cut stone may weigh as much as a deep cut diamond.

He assured me that what I lost in quality I made up for in cost and appearance. Celebrity look-alike rings may cost as little as $100 and appear remarkably similar to the original ring. In addition, there are many licensed jewelry stores and lines that specialize in designing and manufacturing celebrity look-alike jewelry, from rings to bracelets, necklaces and pendants. You can find these stores online, if you know which celebrity ring you want it could be a good idea to have a look at these online stores, they may already have what you seek.