Offbeat Bride | Affordable non-diamond engagement rings from Turtle Love Committee

This business has paid a fee to be listed on offbeatbride.com because they feel their wedding products and services are in-line with offbeat brides’ philosophies and needs … and I agree. Here's more info about how advertising works on offbeatbride.com.

For those of you who haven't noticed, the global economy is currently melting down and while love and weddings are timeless, big expensive wedding rings are becoming increasingly difficult for offbeat couples to fit into their wedding budgets. Ain't no shame: it's just the way things are.

Turtle Love Committee is an independent online jeweler that has embraced the back-to-basics approach, focusing exclusively on non-diamond engagement and wedding rings at prices up to $200. The collection includes a little something for every shade of offbeat: vintage 1920s replicas, classic solitaires and organic and modern pieces. All of the rings in TLC’s collection are sterling silver, with semiprecious stones and/or gold accents.

Turtle Love Committee was founded in response to the subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) competition among women to have the best or the biggest diamond engagement ring … a Turtle Love Committee engagement ring represents a huge emotional commitment, not a huge financial commitment.

To see a few more of their lovely and affordable styles, keep on reading…

For more information about non-diamond engagement and wedding rings, visit the Turtle Love Committee collection online at www.TurtleLoveCommittee.com.

Comments (34)

On March 13th, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Sarah TX said

These are beautiful! I love seeing commitment jewelry options that won't cost two months salary.

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On March 13th, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Mandy said

They are so much prettier than any engagement ring I've ever seen!! I love them!

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On March 13th, 2009 at 12:05 PM
Kristel said

When my husband proposed to me, he gave me a pearl engagement ring. I loved it!
It was exactly what I wanted. First of all, I love pearls. I think they're beautiful and they're just my favorite. Secondly, we do NOT have a ton of money and I didn't feel right making my hubby go into crazy debt trying to get me some nice diamond. I also can't stand how much of a competition engagement rings have become. I've heard plenty of rings being talked about for not being "big or bright" enough. Pfft..I took myself out of that competition and got something I loved, not something everyone else would love (or not love).

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On March 13th, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Leslie said

Thanks for this post! It irks me what diamond rings have become in the wedding/marriage market- a di*k measuring contest for girls! It's nice to see beautiful alternatives that any girl should be proud to wear. It's about the love not the rock, right?

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On March 13th, 2009 at 12:33 PM
Amanda said

I love this post! I do have a diamond, but my fiancee found it on clearance at a jeweler and the only reason we chose this ring is because it is so unique. Thanks for sharing other unique options!

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On March 13th, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Melody Adams said

I just read another great article on the price of wedding rings going down because people are looking for low-cost alternatives.

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On March 13th, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Ariel said

First, I want to clarify that I've got NOTHING against diamonds — my wedding ring features a small diamond that belonged to my grandmother, and I love to watch it sparkle. That said, here's a post that's totally relevant to this discussion: Diamond as dick size.

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On March 13th, 2009 at 2:55 PM
AJ said

I love these! Now how do I subtly share this website with my boyfriend?

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On March 13th, 2009 at 8:03 PM
Jaime said

Those are amazing and gorgeous! And I LOVE the packaging on their website!

I'd so be getting myself one if I hadn't ended up with my mom's vintage rings for free – though I'm tempted to buy one to wear on a different finger… hmmm…

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On March 14th, 2009 at 3:08 AM
Jules said

Thanks for posting this. I think I may have found my wedding band on there.

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On March 14th, 2009 at 8:35 AM
Bunny said

Wow, those rings are lovely! I'll have to 'accidentally' leave the page open so my husband can take a look!

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On March 14th, 2009 at 9:15 AM
Sarah Beth said

We had big drama over THE RING, but I'm so happy with what we ended up with: for me, a 1.75 carat heart-shaped peridot ring with sterling silver band handmade by Art Wear by Caron on Etsy for about $100 and for him, a 2 carat heart-shaped claddagh ring from Ebay for about $250. Both are beautiful together, and reflect our values that (1) We don't want to get into debt over rings and (2) We are both equally engaged

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On March 14th, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Liana said

My FH proposed without a ring, but then the two of us went to pick one out the next day. I found that I hated all the diamond rings I tried on – I could not reconcile the cost, but the settings seemed way too tall off my finger. I told the jewelers I wanted something different and they all just had the same stuff. Then I saw a citrine ring with tiny diamond chip accents on ring itself, for about 1/10th the cost of these diamond rings and I loved it. It was at a local jeweler in my area. The jeweler told us we can trade out the citrine for a diamond, but I think the citrine looks a lot better and we kept it as it was. I love my ring but the jewelers just don't let up.

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On March 14th, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Charissa said

What great options for wedding rings. Everyone has there own individual tastes, and it's nice to know you don't have to just settle for the traditional gold and diamond ring. Thanks for posting.

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On March 14th, 2009 at 10:57 PM
Olivia said

I second Bunny–I may or may not have casually e-mailed my boyfriend a link to my favorite one.

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On March 15th, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Amy said

Gorgeous.

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On March 15th, 2009 at 2:01 PM
Sabrina said

Wow even though that is an advertising post, I found it really touching. I fully support the values that Turtle Dove are trying to promote – good on them. Thanks for posting this Ariel!

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On March 15th, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Sabrina said

Sorry I meant Turtle Love – d'oh!

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On March 15th, 2009 at 6:25 PM
ryan said

i LOVE this post. i also LOVE my amethyst engagement ring. the stone was taken from a ring that belonged to my mother before her passing in 2002. it was a total surprize – hubby stole it from my jewelry box!

but i will admit that when i first got engaged i felt compelled to explain why i didn't have a diamond, "it's a stone from my moms ring, i don't like the oppresive and often times murderous practices that go along with the diamond trade, my favorite color is purple", etc. etc. i was dick measuring.

but then i realized i don't care. i'm so happy that my husband did what was in his heart and that he listened to me when i spoke about my passionate resistance to blood diamonds.

i'm also super happy about not inherting (via marriage) a HUGE credit card bill for a piece of stinkin' jewelry.

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On March 15th, 2009 at 6:53 PM
juneau said

we LOVE these rings, but i have also read that silver doesn't hold up as well if you plan to a wear a ring every day for years and years. can anyone speak to that?

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On March 15th, 2009 at 8:14 PM
CTMK said

First, I LOVE these rings. Thanks for posting them.

Second, my mom is a gemologist, andI've picked up a little random knowledge about jewelry over the years. . . I'ts true that silver is much softer than gold. The semi precious stones used in these rings are also significantly softer than diamonds. That said, if you fall in love with a silver ring or a semi-precious stone, you can make it last by taking extra special care of it. Avoid doing the dishes, playing rugby, swimming etc in your ring, and make sure you have a reputable jeweler inspect it regularly.

For people who like/want diamonds but want to be sure they're not supporting genocide, there are always Canadian diamonds. Also, many wholesalers and retailers in the American Gym Society have agreed not to purchase or sell conflict diamonds.

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On March 15th, 2009 at 8:36 PM
Heather said

These are beautiful! I have an Amitrine stone like in the first pic but until now haven't had a good idea to do with it – now I do!

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On March 16th, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Stephanie said

Thank you so much for showing non-diamond alternatives. Of all the WIC things that frustrate me, the worst is the assumption that you HAVE to have a diamond engagement ring or you are "cheap." Some people simply do not want diamonds. People ask to see my ring (which is a yogo sapphire- mined in Montana- where my fiance and I met and fell in love) and the most typical reply is "oh" and they change the subject. I love it and I am proud of it and I do not think it warrants pity. Let's not expect diamonds are for everyone!

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On March 16th, 2009 at 2:32 PM
Annelise said

My man and I are picking out my wedding ring, and these were lovely. It broke my heart that they don't sell size 10…

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On March 18th, 2009 at 2:48 AM
Becky said

My man and I picked mine out on amazon. My birthstone is emerald and green happens to be my fav color, so we ended up with a $199 emerald ring with teeny tiny diamonds on both sides. I love it!! And the price!

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On March 19th, 2009 at 1:29 AM
Vee said

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