Separate out Grounds fom eachother

Jim, this is related to my other thread (24V with transistor to power the relay). This relay will carry 220V AC. Relay switching could cause 24V spikes/transients & I want to protect my MCU 3.3V circuit at an industrial grade reliability.

You had suggested using two isolated power sources in the other thread, which is complicates my design. Currently I am using 24V main supply and using LDO to get my 3.3V. I am curious if I could separate my 3.3V GND circuit & use a diode at GND common point (LDO) to protect reverse current/spikes from 24V circuit.

I will not be isolated, but will that be good enough protection for a reliable system? My other option will be to use a step down transformer from 24V to 3.3 V, which will give me a separate ground , but definitely increase cost & I want to avoid it.