The Tamesis
One route is to use a colorful non-diamond center stone. “Historically, colored gemstones were actually the original choice for engagement rings,” shares Moross, who believes that sapphires, emeralds, and rubies are gemstones that add personality and personal narrative. “The key is to choose something that feels real to you and your partner.”
10. Consider working directly with a jeweler to create a custom ring.
“Customization feels more special than walking into a store and picking something out,” Hannah explains. “Generally speaking, a lot of people these days want something somewhere between vintage and modern. It’s not big diamonds anymore, they want quality rather than size, or a unique shape like a rose cut. A lot of people are giving up on diamonds altogether. I made a really beautiful ring out of alexandrite, a color-changing stone that appears greenish-blue in daylight and purple in incandescent lighting. [Engagement rings] It’s no longer one size fits all. “
11. ….and allow enough time
If you decide to go the custom route, Moros recommends allowing about six to eight weeks for the process. “The most important factor is sourcing the perfect stone, which sets the entire design into motion,” she explains. Do you need three to six months of ideas? This is a fallacy, she said. “Whether I’m making you an engagement ring or a 10th anniversary ring, the craftsmanship is the same and shouldn’t be dragged out unnecessarily.”
12. For additional personal pieces, get creative with custom touches.
“I’ve heard it said so many times, and it’s a very specific thing, but people come to me and say, ‘I want a ring that feels like I found it and it’s just for me,'” says New York-based jewelry designer and artist Anna Pierce. Pierce’s brand draws inspiration from poetic rings, a style of ring that dates back to the Middle Ages and features an inscription – a secret message of love and devotion – engraved on the inside.
If you’re looking for ideas on how to make a custom ring truly special, Pierce recommends considering all angles of the ring in addition to the stone or setting. For example, you could write a message or a birthstone on the back.
Hand engraving is a core element of Pierce’s work and a great way to create an engagement ring that feels truly personal to the wearer. Pierce designs rings engraved with letters, monograms, handwritten phrases from loved ones and more. “Engraving is a truly seamless way to mark [the ring] “Use your own story to express your own story,” she says. Additionally, hand-engraving seems to be catching on (see: Taylor Swift’s engagement ring).
13. Look how this ring looks paired with your wedding band.
Traditionally, the fiancé receives an engagement ring during the proposal and a wedding ring during the ceremony. We know that traditions are not always followed, but in this case, it is important to keep the wedding ring design in mind. Wedding rings tend to be much simpler than engagement rings, even if they are engraved or set with gemstones. Engagement rings usually have a lot of detail, which is an aspect you need to keep in mind during the creation process.
14. Bring a trusted confidant with you when shopping for an engagement ring.
Buying an engagement ring can be a daunting task that requires the help of a friend to complete. Ask engaged people for jeweler recommendations, and visit with people who know you and your future spouse and whose taste you respect. Nine times out of 10, we know what we want and have probably already expressed it to a friend (or added it to a Pinterest board). This friend will know exactly what your soon-to-be fiancée wants, whether it’s a cushion-cut diamond with a halo setting or a rose gold ring with a single round brilliant stone.
15. Clarify these measurements.
Find the right ring size for your fiancée when researching gem cuts and settings with the help of a family member, sibling, or trusted confidant. If you are caught wrapping a rope around your fiancée’s finger without her noticing, it will definitely look suspicious, so it’s best to send a third party and advise caution. Proposing is exciting and overwhelming, but a ring that’s too loose or too tight can dull the exciting moment. Please be sure to ask about size Both Ring finger.
16. Don’t commit to buying a ring without understanding the store’s exchange policy.
Unlike the marriage commitment you wish to make, try to avoid entering into a binding agreement with a jeweler when purchasing a ring. Worst case scenario, if your prospect hates what you came up with, you should be able to swap it out for something else. You want your future spouse to love you and the jewelry you buy forever.
17. Check the insurance policy on the ring.
For the fiancée who fiddles with the jewelry on their hands, the fiancée who often misplaces personal belongings, and the person who has a job that may require them to take off their rings, this is the ring for you. No one likes to think about the possibility of losing such a meaningful piece of jewelry, but sometimes it’s unavoidable. Engagement ring insurance is exactly what it sounds like: it provides financial protection and covers the replacement, repair, or expense reimbursement of the ring. While this isn’t the most romantic aspect of the process, it’s equally important to consider.
18. Choose the perfect ring with there is nothing Something to do with the price tag.
During the Great Depression, in a campaign that would have made Don Draper proud, the advertising geniuses at De Beers began running an ad urging men to spend a month’s salary on a ring if they wanted to be “responsible.” By the 1980s, that number jumped to two months. An oft-cited rule of thumb these days is that you should spend at least three months’ salary on this timeless piece of jewelry. This is just clever marketing and has nothing to do with how to buy an engagement ring.
