Shopping writer Eve Rowlands swapped her diamond engagement ring for an £89 alternative from Abbott Lyon and was surprised when people thought it was real.
Rowlands said that while she adores her real engagement ring, she wanted a replica travel ring at a fraction of the cost to wear on holiday. She was worried about losing the ring, noting that cold ocean water makes fingers contract and shrink, saltwater can corrode metal alloys and weaken prongs or solder joints, and sand can get trapped under settings or scratch soft metals. Sunscreen and salt residue can also dull the brilliance of diamonds and gemstones.
The £89 Abbott Lyon ring
After trying a few options, Rowlands landed on Abbott Lyon's Birthstone Emerald Cut Legacy Ring 1ct (Gold), priced at £89. The ring features a 5A-grade cubic zirconia set on a band of 18k gold-plated 925 sterling silver.
She said the ring got the approval of her hotel manager, who told her husband he 'did a good job' with the ring. A good friend also asked: 'Did you get a new engagement ring?!'
Holiday test in Greece
Rowlands wore the ring on a 10-day beach holiday in Greece, where she was in and out of the water and applying SPF 50 every 2-3 hours. She said the stone stayed securely in place with its 4-claw prong setting, and the ring remained free of scratches and tarnishing by the end of the trip.
She noted that while it didn't glimmer quite as much as a real diamond, it was enough to create that wow factor, which exceeded her expectations for something under £100.
Other budget options
For anyone who doesn't mind a flat setting, Bohomoon's Heather Ring is currently on sale for £10 from £30. Made from stainless steel, the brand promises a tarnish-free, waterproof finish, and shoppers have shared that it is 'pretty' and 'elegant'.
Etsy also offers a Travel Engagement Ring starting at £32.22, which comes in a range of metals and sizes. One person said: "Perfect ring to wear on vacations and to the gym when I don’t want to wear my real one!!"
The Abbott Lyon ring is available in a range of birthstones and also comes in silver. Rowlands opted for a clear gem to achieve a classic engagement ring look, but those who have bought the ring in their birthstone have loved the 'pop of colour' it brings to their collection.
