What you sacrifice: Chemistry. Your stone is not pure carbon.
What you save: Beyond the thousands of dollars, you can save up to 264,000 pounds of displaced earth from mining and be free of the human labor concerns that are inherent in mined diamonds.
What you gain: A honeymoon, a dream wedding, a down payment on a house—it’s up to you!
We took the liberty of daydreaming for you. Let’s imagine the perfect honeymoon in Maui, Hawaii.
It’s more and more common for couples to delay their honeymoon for a few months. Let’s imagine a honeymoon taken in January to the warm sandy shores of Maui for seven perfect days and nights.
$1,000: TWO FLIGHTS FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO MAUI, HAWAII
$4,300: SEVEN NIGHTS AT THE HYATT REGENCY MAUI RESORT & SPA
Relax with your morning coffee or an evening cocktail on your private lanai with views of the ocean and the world-famous Ka’anapali Beach. Watch for humpback whales—they migrate to the warm waters here to calve during the winter. Can you feel the sun on your face yet?
Ready to hit the pool? This is no ordinary one. It’s a half acre of pure delight complete with waterfalls and the swim-up Grotto Bar. Getting too warm on the beach? Indulge in some Hawaiian shave ice to cool down.
$310: RELAX TOGETHER
Couples massage at the oceanfront spa. After all, you deserve to relax after planning your wedding and waiting for your honeymoon.
$300: A ROMANTIC DINNER
A special dinner at the 5-star Mama’s Fish House, Maui’s famous and most popular restaurant. Here, the fish is so fresh, it’s listed on the ever-changing menu alongside the name of the fisherman who caught it.
$500: GOLF WITH A VIEW
Hit the links on one of Hawaii’s best courses, the Bay Course at Kapalua. It has
gorgeous ocean views and an inviting challenge. It was designed by Arnold Palmer and Francis Duane, and has hosted more than 20 major tournaments. One exciting hole requires a tricky shot over the waves of Oneloa Bay.
$85: WHALE WATCHING TOUR
This is a can’t-miss boat tour to get up close and personal with massive humpback whales. If you’re lucky, you’ll also see calves frolicking among the waves, too!
$240: MOLOKINI CRATER & TURTLE TOWN
Take a boat out to the Molokini Crater and snorkel among the incredible marine life. A stop at Turtle Town ensures you’ll get to swim in the calming presence of sea turtles. For other free snorkeling throughout the week, Black Rock at Ka’anapali is an easy swim off shore, and Napili Beach offers lovely coral and a variety of marine life.
FREE: GO FOR A DIVE
Exploring the island by car is one of the best ways to see the many different versions of Maui, from the golden beaches to the lush valleys to the dry, desert-like back side o the island. Take a day and drive the Road to Hana, picking a few places to stop and hike.
Don’t miss the less-traveled but stunning West Maui Mountains, from the Iao Valley to the Olivine Pools. Stop to watch surfers tackle “Maui’s Pipeline” at Punalau Beach, also known as Windmills.
Where would you go on your dream honeymoon?
Comment below to tell us where you think we should go next.
*According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a 1-carat mined diamond creates 88,000-176,000 pounds of earth. For a larger jewelry-grade diamond, even more earth is displaced. **Prices are for informational use only and are subject to change. Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa sample rate is based on January travel for 7 nights in a King Ocean View room. Actual room rates subject to change. Airfare based on seven nights round trip from San Francisco to Maui. All sample pricing is based on two adults traveling in January 2019. Actual costs may vary depending on time of year.