How Jules' $700 engagement ring stacks up

Tears were shed when Cam Merchant got down on one knee and made Married at First Sight history by proposing to wife Jules Robinson.

But while it was a first for this franchise, the former cricketer is one in a long line of reality TV suitors to propose marriage in front of the entire country.

Back in 2014 Blake Garvey asked Sam Frost to marry him during the Bachelor finale (and we all know how that ended), meanwhile more recently, Sam Cochrane and Tara Pavlovic got engaged on Bachelor in Paradise last year.

So how does Jules’ engagement ring compare to her reality TV counterparts? Well, there’s one big difference – Jules’ ring isn’t a diamond one.

The sparkler is actually made with a diamond simulant from Secrets Shhh, and retails for $700. A spokesperson for the brand tells Yahoo Lifestyle that the ring was custom-made for MAFS but will now be available for purchase.

Looking at the difference between diamonds verus diamond simulants and synthetics, Kate Reid, the senior jeweller at Larsen Jewellery, tells Yahoo Lifestyle that the latter are much more cost effective when compared to diamonds, but are also easily damaged.

“Diamonds are the hardest substance on earth,” she explains, “They are so resistant to scratching that they can only be scratched by other diamonds, this makes them ideal for daily wear.”

“Simulants are softer and, as a consequence, are more easily damaged by normal wear and tear. Many diamond simulants and synthetics should be taken off before doing many everyday activities as they can be easily damaged.”

While real diamonds promise longevity and high quality, simulants are becoming increasingly popular.

“There are many diamond alternatives or ‘simulants’ in the marketplace nowadays which have become an attractive option to those who either have a smaller budget, or do not feel comfortable wearing a ring of higher value,” Kate explains.

“Even if you’re not a professional, with a keen eye and a little knowledge, you will be able to tell the difference between a real diamond and a diamond alternative. Ultimately, there is no comparison to a real diamond.”

Both Sam and Tara’s engagement rings contained real diamonds and were valued at $58,000 and $11,000 respectively. Sam ended up selling hers on eBay, while Tara gave hers back to Sam when their relationship went south, and he later donated it to charity.

Here’s hoping Jules and Cam don’t go the same way.

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