Some people want to add a little (or a lot of) sparkle to their rings by incorporating stones. Diamonds are generally the first stone that comes to mind when people picture an engagement ring.  But for reasons ranging from taste to budget to politics, some people are leaving diamonds behind. Keep in mind that rings take a lot of abuse, especially wedding rings since they are typically worn daily.  Not all stones are created equal, so be sure that you consider how your stone choice will hold up so that you can love wearing your ring for years to come.