Many people would like to own a nice, big diamond, but for most people, this is not a feat that is easily achievable from a financial perspective. It sometimes becomes a choice between a) going into debt in order to get the diamond you want, or b) settling for something less than what you truly want.
Fortunately, there is a solution!
With the advent of high quality fakes such as cubic zirconia and moissanite, it is possible to get a stone that is virtually indistinguishable from a real diamond. Both of these, but especially CZ, are significantly cheaper than an actual diamond. But many people do not want to be stuck with a fake, so the plan is as follows:
Say the diamond you want is $10,000.
Get engaged with a high quality cubic zirconia. This will be well under $1,000 including the setting. No one will be able to tell the difference without laboratory equipment, anyway. For every year of marriage, put away $1,000 into a “diamond fund.” On your 10 year marriage anniversary, take the $10,000 you’ve saved and go buy the real diamond that you want!
This plan also acts as insurance in case the marriage ends in divorce before 10 years is over; you will have saved money that you didn’t spend on an expensive diamond and you won’t be stuck with an expensive diamond that you have to pawn to get rid of.