Is it necessary to accompany a marriage proposal with an engagement ring?
It is a purely voluntary gesture. Until the last century, the presence of such an accessory, as well as other subtleties, was determined by the religion of the couple, as well as their position in society. The current tradition of giving a ring on the occasion of engagement is very few years old. It appeared only at the beginning of the 20th century and it was especially influenced by the marketing of jewelry houses and Hollywood. At the same time, in the USSR, there was a custom of exchanging rings – but only at the registry office, where engagement rings were perceived as a bourgeois fad. All in all, it depends on the views of your girlfriend and you, as well as your wishes, whether you should give a ring when proposing your hand and heart, or you can do without it.
Is there any unified and generally accepted appearance of such a ring?
The answer is rather positive. The image of such a ring is formed, in which there is one obvious component of the decor – a stone with a setting. The most traditional solution would be a diamond. And the reason is not only its beautiful appearance but also the fact that this material is the hardest. It is scratch-resistant and requires very little care. It is quite difficult to crack accidentally if you hit it, which cannot be said about sapphires and rubies, and certainly not about emeralds. It is even recommended to take the latter off whenever you wash your hands. That is why De Beers’ famous motto, “Diamonds are forever,” also briefly describes the physical qualities that are inherent to this stone.
Wouldn’t a diamond be too trivial?
Only in the case when your beloved told you about it. But in this situation, you probably know what kind of gemstones she likes, and it will not be difficult for you to choose a suitable option. If you are afraid of making a mistake because your potential bride has a weakness for everything original, you can give preference to a colored diamond. Yes, in almost all cases, it will be much more expensive than its colorless counterpart. However, even a small but bright diamond in pink, yellow or blue, placed in a good setting, will undoubtedly vie for originality with the other stones. A champagne-colored stone with an unusual “cushion” cut is just as cost-effective as a colorless one with a smaller setting. By the way, this very cut was the choice of the royal couple, Prince Harry opted for the cushion cut when choosing a ring for Meghan Markle.
An engagement ring does not equal a wedding ring
When choosing a ring to accompany a marriage proposal, you should keep in mind that it is not uncommon for ladies to wear two rings on the same finger, or the same hand. Therefore, it is worth choosing an engagement accessory that will tolerate such proximity. Often women who are already married use one hand to wear the engagement ring and the other to wear the engagement ring. In some families, there is a tradition of pulling out an engagement ring exclusively on the occasion of a wedding anniversary. If you recognize yourself in the last description, you should favor something original and festive over the traditional design when buying an engagement ring.
Is it better to choose the ring together or let it be a surprise?
This question can only be answered on a case-by-case basis. Modern brides may also wish to participate in the selection of the ring themselves. In this case, it is enough to talk about the budget and go together to the jewelry store. But if your chosen one has not expressed such desires, you can prepare a surprise. However, remember that you should first carefully investigate everything.
What exactly should you pay attention to so that the surprise would be pleasant?
Your beloved’s jewelry box or, more precisely, its contents will help you. Look at what kind of jewelry she prefers, and pay attention to the accessories, too. When the basis is rounded shapes and stones with a smooth cut, then when choosing a ring, you should stick to such a reference point. And if a girl prefers rectangular corundums and strictly aligned geometry, then she will probably suit the options in the cut “emerald” and “princess”, as well as clear lines of metal.
Another important point is the size. Try to know at least approximately this parameter. But do not be afraid of a small error: after the consent is sounded, any master will easily correct the difference in a couple of sizes. To determine the size, you can measure the diameter inside the ring that your beloved adorns her ring finger. To make it more convenient, trace it on paper with a pen. By the way, you can discreetly take such a ring with you to the store. And if you find an accessory only on the middle finger, the size you need is one less.
And if there is a ring in the groom’s family that is passed down from generation to generation?
There are several suggestions for what to do in such a situation. You can give the ring as a gift and accompany the event by telling her that it is a particularly precious ring for your family. If you have concerns that the accessory will not be to the bride’s liking, then allow her to determine its fate on her own when the engagement party takes place. For example, you can slightly improve its appearance. Or you can ask the jeweler to melt it into a setting for a new stone. In this situation, it will be the precious metal and not the jewelry itself that will be inherited. If the heirloom is more like a ring, however, it makes sense to take it to a master jeweler to examine the stones. In the Soviet Union, cubic zirconia and also corundum, stones of synthetic origin, were in demand. Nowadays, not so many people are interested in them. You can also bring your ring to our store and exchange it for a new piece of jewelry. We will take it at a better price for the metal and you will immediately take a new piece of jewelry. If you decide to do so, we are waiting for you in any of our stores.
What about a custom ring?
This option may be more advantageous than a ready-made ring from a store, but only if you order a ring with a diamond weighing more than one carat. After all, you won’t have to pay for a well-publicized brand name, a well-known brand, or the fact that you are purchasing a symbol of love in a historical or branded boutique. And when you order privately you will be able to give preference to the diamond that suits your particular case in terms of quality and value. You are also free to choose the size you want.
And what about if there was a mistake with the size or appearance of the ring to order?
Let’s just say there is nothing that can’t be corrected. The size can simply be adjusted. If you make a ring to order, you can talk about all the details when you build the model, so that there is no discrepancy between your idea of the ring and what it looks like in reality.
Are there any universal rules in this matter?
There are no such rules. Diamonds are never too small or too big. Yes, there are some definite issues of appropriateness and social appreciation. But if you’re not going to attend aristocratic gatherings, you don’t have to think about them. Be guided by what pleases your chosen one and you.
