You've found the man you want to spend the rest of your life with. Now, determine your ring style–before he pops the question–to be sure your ring is the one you want to spend the rest of your life with when you say “yes.”
“This is a very different jewelry decision from any one a young woman has ever made, not just in the magnitude of the expense, but in the longevity she will wear it,” explains Betsy Wolgemuth of Koser Jewelers (www.koserjewelers.com), unless you’re Kim Kardashian, she jokes.
“Increasingly, couples are shopping together to make engagement ring choices.” Wolgemuth reports, nearly 17 percent of women picked out their ring on their own while 11 percent gave suggestions to her boyfriend, and another 13 percent gave indirect hints about what type of ring she may like.
Koser Jeweler’s Wolgemuth suggests: “Go through a sort of mental cleanse before you shop. Clear your mind of all preconceptions.” She adds, forget about your friends’ rings and your mother’s ring, and the ring you thought you always wanted. She recommends going to your favorite jeweler when you have time to try on all sorts of rings, even if you think they’re not “you.”
From there, narrow it down to half a dozen styles you like, says Wolgemuth, and determine what fits your hand, your style, your life, and what you will enjoy wearing for the rest of your life and marriage.
“There is a style for every bride to be. Let your imagination design an heirloom that you will be proud to pass through your future generations,” says Jeff Mitchell of LaPorte Jewelers in Lancaster (www.laportejewelers.com).
Classic Couple
“This is the girl who likes to shop at places like J Crew. She likes things that are simple and elegant, updated classics,” says Koser Jewler’s Wolgemuth. Classic style diamond cuts are round, dream or princess. Settings are solitaire, solitaire with accents or three-stone looks. Also, “rings with sapphire or ruby, think Princesses Di or Kate,” fit this style, according to Wolgemuth.
There is a style for every bride to be. Let your IMAGINATION design an heirloom.
“I usually recommend a round cut diamond because they are very classic and will always be in fashion, plus they radiate the most color and life,” says Karen Reiss of The Watchmaker’s Daughter in York (www.watchmakersdaughter.net).
She says, the cuts of diamonds go through trends. “Years ago, marquise cuts were popular, then it was ovals and emerald cuts, now most brides are asking for princess cuts. That’s why I usually suggest a round because it will always be classic.”
“Typically, a traditional ring would be in a white gold or platinum Tiffany (6 prong) setting with a plain band set with a round or emerald cut diamond. Another traditional look is a round center diamond with a baguette on either side,” she adds.
And if you’re traditional, but want a little more bling for your ring, three diamonds could certainly be viewed as better than one. “For a traditional look, many brides want a three stone ring with a four or six prong setting and minimal detail for a classic look and feel,” says Tonia Ulsh, COO of Mountz Jewelrs with locations in Camp Hill, Carlisle and Mechanicsburg (www. mountzjewelers.com).
Romantic At Heart
“This girl likely loves the looks at Anthropologie. She loves the feminine accents: ruffles, lace, embellishments,” explains Wolgemuth of Koser Jewlers. “Cuts for the romantic ring are round, cushion, pear or oval.” For settings: think accent diamonds and hand engraving, adds Wolgemuth.
“A bride with a romantic style may want a ring with a lot of details and an intricate design,” says Uslsh of Mountz Jewelers, who recommends Ritani’s floral collection. “The center diamond literally appears to bloom from the ring representing the moment when true love blossoms,” she adds.
"Most women really gravitate to the more antique and vintage looks either from estate finds or reproductions. The filigree work and engraved designs on these engagement rings and bands are very Victorian and romantic. Often they will have lots of small surrounding diamonds (pave settings) and will have a round, and old European cut diamond, a princess or Asher cut diamond. Usually they are set in white gold or platinum," says Reiss of The Watchmaker’s Daughter.
An important consideration Reiss points out is to fit these rings with the wedding band because most romantic ring shapes don’t fit flush with regular bands. “I often check if there is a matching band or sometimes we customize bands so they fit nicely alongside each other.”
She adds, “Most women love the idea of the piece being old and vintage but reproductions can give you the same great look without the worries of wear and tear a ring may have been exposed to over the years.”
Modern Bride
"This girl is a minimalist. Fresh, but never fussy,” explains Wolgemuth of Koser Jewelers. Diamond shapes for the modern bride are: Princess, dream cuts or perhaps an elongated cut like pear or oval, set on the bias, or sideways, explains Wolgemuth. Settings she says, are most likely shaper angles and unembellished such as a solitaire on a wider band, or a band that is graduated. Think clean lines, she adds.
“Modern settings come in many varieties, says Mitchell of LaPorte Jewelers, “From little tweaks in a classic design to a design that questions physics.”
For a sleek look, Reiss of The Watchmaker’s Daughter says, “One popular look is the tension setting where a diamond is suspended in between metal as if floating, or a round bezel set stone is modern set with gold or platinum all around the stone which gives it a very smooth look. This look works well with women that don’t want a lot of prong work on their ring because of their occupation or busy lives.” Alternative metals The Watchmaker’s daughter offers include titanium, carbon fiber, ceramic, steel, chrome cobalt, wood and more which are popular because they are strong, have a modern look and are very affordable.
For The Non-Traditionalists
"This is the girl who wants to stand apart,” says Wolgemuth of Koser Jewelers. For example, “We recently worked with a girl who wanted labrodorite [a multicolored metallic looking stone] with black diamond accents.” She adds, this may also be a girl who wants a bigger single diamond ring, and not both an engagement ring and wedding ring.
“Many women go with a colored stone [such as] sapphire, emerald or aquamarine instead of diamond for the center stone, or sometimes just get a really wide band and no engagement ring at all,” says Reiss of The Watchmaker’s Daughter. “Some women want a ring hand crafted just for them with their designs or the jeweler’s. I’ve even seen wedding bands made up with stones found from a special location where the couple met.” She’s also seen couples incorporate the children’s birthstones into the ring if it’s a second marriage.
Many non-tradtional women go with a COLORED STONE instead of a diamond
“A bride with a non-traditional style may want to design the ring herself,” says Ulsh of Mountz Jewelers. “These brides may want to use a mix of metals such as white and yellow gold, different colors for the center diamond like a fancy yellow or a combination of precious gemstones such as sapphires or ruby. At Mountz Jewelers, our customers can tell us their vision and we can have a wax created so that they can see their vision come to life step by step.”
Mitchell of LaPorte Jewelers recommends, “When looking for a colored stone make sure you do some research. a lot of colored stones on the market have been chemically treated or dyed to achieve its color. Make sure to ask for natural color or heat-treated stones. Look for stones that have a clear translucent color, not a cloudy opaque color. LaPorte Jewelers has a vast collection of colored diamonds and gemstones.”
No matter what style you choose, make it your own to ensure the most important piece of jewelry you’ll ever own is just what you want, now and forever.
