would you rather have
a. a ‘fake’ diamond (Moissanite- almost as strong, looks very similar, but shinier) and have a larger ring or…
b. a diamond ring, but smaller
below are links for both… what to do…
fake
http://moissanite-collection.com/detail.cfm?mid=737&series=w8250&stone_ctw=0.710&cat=&subcat=&sh=detail
real
http://www.jared.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product1%7C10451%7C10001%7C-1%7C21851706%7C19061%7C19061.19078.19104
fake
http://moissanite-collection.com/detail.cfm?mid=441&series=&stone_ctw=1.200&cat=rings&subcat=designer_three_stone&sh=detail
real
http://www.worldjewels.com/_e/Wedding_Sets/product/ea-515/1_20_Carat_Three_Piece_Diamond_Engagement_Ring.htm
moissanite is not a FAKE diamond. it does not try to pass off as a diamond. you people are comparing it to a knockoff designer handbag. Moissanite is moissanite, period.
people prefer moissanite for many reasons. maybe it's a cost factor. for a lot of people, myself included, I do not see the point of spending hoards of money on a fancy rock. if you care what others think, those that DO see your ring aren't going to examine it under a microscope and nag you if its "fake". Or maybe they don't want to support the blood diamond market. maybe they prefer the superior brilliance and fire a moisannite stone has compared to a diamond.
even then, ANY ring isn't, and shouldn't be considered, a fake engagement ring. many people choose sapphires, rubies, emeralds, pearls, topaz, plain gold/silver, etc. it is an engagement ring if it is given and accepted as such.
please don't pay attention to the other answerers. you choose which you like better, not what others deem "real". i say, it's real if it goes on my finger and i can feel it there!
btw, diamonds have only been "traditional" since the 50' or so. And it was a diamond company that said so ,trying to increase sales. So give yourselves a pat on the back for buying into marketing ploys.