Every time a person compliments a woman because of her jewelry is worth something. A diamond might be overpriced but is hardly worthless. The truth is women guage their worth partly by gifts and possessions such as jewelry, cars, homes, etc. Like I said, how many here know a single person who owns a 1 carat or larger diamond? So they are not common.
There are only two people who need to know if a diamond is genuine or not. The giver and the person wearing it. I doubt anyone wearing a cubic zirconia will feel special.
Since a good price is hardly retail the object is to search around for a bargain. Just make sure the quality is good and a genuine article. You need to buy a text book on diamonds so you know what to look for and what to avoid.
you have to ask yourself what kind of girl you are with that wants a diamond useless ring instead of something
practical you both can use down the road in your marriage, car, down payment on house, big screen tv, whatever, something you can actually use.