Engagement rings... how on earth did you pick...

TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others

IntlSet

IntlSet

Bonjour!
O.G.
Jan 29, 2006
12,369
64
#1
Seriously?! I usually have no problem making up my mind. If I see a bag I like, I rarely mull over it, I just buy it. The same with just about everything else.

I think I have beat the engagement ring horse to death. Holy moly. If I had to produce a list of the top 5 shapes or designs, I wouldn't have a clue.

I guess it IS a big decision, after all... you may very well have this ring forever. Like every other day I tell my SO we're going a new place to get a ring. First, I was for sure going to get a diamond for White Flash. Then I decide we're going to a vintage diamond. Then we are going to the dingiest, dirtest, cheapest broker on jeweler's row in Chicago because I refuse to pay a high mark-up. The next day I think maybe Harry Winston is a good choice.

How long did it take you or your SO to find your ring?
 
#2
I'm not engaged (obviously, because I would make the largest announcement on earth when the day does come), but I do know exactly what style I like.

There are so many beautiful cuts, settings and styles that it can be hard to choose from! Does your SO say anything about what he likes in a ring? Have you been ring shopping together and tried different styles on, to see his (and yours, of course!) reaction?

You will find a style that eventually just calls out to you. For me, it's a 1.5 (or maybe two carats, should budget allow) carat round brilliant solitaire in a classic Tiffany-style six prong setting, 14k white gold. It's simple, and eye catching, with clean lines. That's exactly my style.

(BF - are you reading this? You better!). Although he can recite what kind of ring I want by heart ;)

Also, think about your daily activities, clothing style, etc. You want a ring that fits your lifestyle.

Good luck!
 
#3
what you see in pics may not be what you love once it's on your finger. my suggestion is to go to stores and try on as many shapes and styles as much as possible. Once you find your ideal type then you can go online and find every better versions of what you like!
 
#4
I wanted classic and simple. A nice clean solitaire, cathedral style, with 6 prongs and a round stone in the best cut available to humanity, and nice color and clarity. Size didn't matter as much though he went bigger than I really was thinking Id like.

My biggest stipulation is that the ring look good and sit flush against ANY wedding band.
 
#6
IntlSet, I'm going through the same thing. I had no idea how difficult engagement ring shopping---er, choosing would be.

From my own experiences so far, it does help to try the ring on in person, like someone suggested above. There was one ring that I saw in a catalogue that I immediately wrote off, but when the SA at the store had me try it on...I was amazed at the difference!

I have not been looking too long, perhaps since October. I will say that I think I finally have it narrowed down, and I am so happy. And, this is coming from someone who is indecisive about most everything in general! LOL

Good luck to you, my dear. I'm sure you'll find the perfect one!
 
#8
With me I just got a simple one carat solataire brilliant cut from my hubby 6 years with a princess channel diamond wedding band to match. I was not too inlove with it but I didn't want to hurt his feelings so I kept it for 6 years. But last month on our six year anniversary, I told him I want an upgrade and a different ring. He agreed. I went to the store and I must have exchanged it 3 times (both the ring and the settings) yikes! First, I thought I want princess cut, then round, in the end I choose emerald cut. Good thing the store allows you to do return and exchanges for 60 days satisfaction guaranteed no question ask.
 
#9
Surprisingly one of the easiest choices we ever made.. husband knew what he wanted to get me and I liked the style he chose too. We were in and out of the store in under an hour :)
 
#10
We really wanted bang for our buck, so we went to the jewelry wholesale center here in San Francisco. I know a lot of people swear by their "brand name" rings but in all honesty I don't think anyone is going to ask you if your stone is from Tiffany, Cartier, Winston, etc. In the end we paid 1/3 the Tiffany price for a ring lower in color but higher in quality at the wholesale center and I couldn't be more thrilled.

As far as shape goes, everyone in my immediate family has round stones, and I was kind of bored with them, so I went with a princess cut set in a simple platinum band.
 
#11
missD said:
what you see in pics may not be what you love once it's on your finger. my suggestion is to go to stores and try on as many shapes and styles as much as possible. Once you find your ideal type then you can go online and find every better versions of what you like!
Click to expand...

Very true... what it actually looks like on your finger vs. just looking at it through the case or on the computer screen makes a big difference. Styles & cuts you'd never think twice of may look totally different and unexpected on your finger.. :shrugs:....to this.... :nuts:... then :p. g-Luck~! Have fun with it!

p.s. husband picked mine out initially from the hints I gave him "emerald cut w/ side stones".. the we went looking around while my ring was being cleaned 1 day... and started trying on some upgrade rings (for our 5yr anniv) ... and the upgrade is def. going to be a round next time around :o)
 
#12
I know what you mean! Our engagement is a ways off (but probably less than a year) but I like to be prepared. There are several styles I would be happy with, so I don't know how I would pick one. I sort of hope SO picks the ring for me, when we talk about it the first thing I always say is NO tapered baguettes!!! Other than that if he puts 10 mins thought into it, he could probably come up with something I'd like. If I had my choice though I think I'd pick a Cartier Trinity with 1 pave band. I want something classic, a little different, and probably not a solitaire.
 
#14
My husband picked mine - I wish I had been involved, but in this way he is old fashioned.

In the end - maybe it was best that he picked I may have been very indecisive - or had caviar taste on ramen budget, lol.

All the ladies have given great advice, since your DF wants you involved try on as MANY rings as possible and remember, the stone is always upgradeable - but, as I learned the hard way, men can be very sentimental about the setting and band.

I just can't wait to see what you finally decide on!!!!
 
#15
I'm from Seattle, liberal capital and all that. My perspective is that if you're going to be living with it for life you want to feel good about the ethics behind the stone as well as the way it looks. I mention it because you mentioned going with vintage as one option. You can always get a great vintage stone and design your ring then. Curious to see how this turns out..?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top