I had an Irish Claddagh ring before I met my husband. It's a traditional friendship/engagement/wedding ring, all in one. Had it for years. When I got engaged, put it on the left hand with the pointing out (to show that I was engaged). When we got married, it pointed in. We spent $50 to replace the glass center with a synthetic emerald. I get more questions and comments on it than a diamond would (questions about culture, symbolism, etc). I personally don't like diamonds for various reasons, neither does my sister who got a blue sapphire or something like that. So I agree, women don't care as much about diamonds. Some want them since they are culturally programmed to, some like the storybook feeling of having a diamond, some get diamonds since that is what the men think they want.