This is what I always say. When people want diamonds they either want them because they're pretty or expensive. If you want expensive then buy a gold bullion, if you want pretty buy a moissanite, for both, buy both.

I got engagement with moissanite for my now-wife. She says it is too big and firery-sparkly. Costed me almost nothing compared to a micro-sized diamond on a silver ring I'd get at a major jeweler.

Eh it's now about 1/3 the price. Lab diamonds are getting cheap. Still a solid option though.