5 Common Misconceptions About Engagement Rings Debunked
Tradition remains honored and valued across all parts of the world today and engagement rings are all about upholding one we hold near and dear. While exquisite diamonds and other fine jewelry can often be within arm’s reach, for the most part, diamond rings are most commonly associated with the prelude of marriage - engagement.
This tradition brings a long list of misconceptions regarding the ring; how much it should cost, what it should look like, and so on. These myths could potentially lead future grooms astray and guide you away from the ring you need, rather than toward it.
To prevent that, we have collated some of the most common myths about engagement rings you may encounter while searching for that perfect piece for your soon-to-be betrothed.
1. The Bigger The Diamond The Better
“The bigger the better” is not always the case when choosing the center gem for your ring. There are many other attributes that determine their quality - the shape you pick, the quality of the cut, color, and clarity. This means size only makes up a fraction of its overall beauty and value.
As a rule of thumb, avoid selecting large stones for the sake of size, but rather aim for the gem with the highest quality and value that are in line with your budget. After all, a poorly cut but larger gem does not necessarily look better than a smaller, more brilliant one.
Bonus tip: slender fingers can often look better with dainty gems and delicate ring styles, so a bigger size may not be the appropriate goal if your partner falls within this category.
2. Diamonds Are The Only Option For An Engagement Ring
Although the topic of engagement rings tends to evoke the image of ones with diamonds, the truth is that they can feature any stone that is deemed exceptional or meaningful to the couple. Interestingly, this narrative of a diamond engagement ring only became popular in the last century, whereas all kinds of gemstones such as Sapphires and Rubies were used in engagement rings hundreds of years ago.
The bottom line is: although diamonds certainly have that magical sparkle, there is no reason to restrict yourself when there are so many other options that are just as alluring. The point is to choose a gem and ring design that genuinely reflects your partner’s personality. Some of our favorite modern diamond alternatives include multi-colored Sapphires, Spinels, Garnets and even Tanzanite for a rich and vibrant twist to the classic engagement ring.
3. Follow The 3 Months’ Salary Rule
Although diamond prices can be intimidating, there is no need to stick to the myth of a “three months’ salary rule” when planning for your proposal. The fact is, there is no such thing as a set amount one should have when purchasing a ring.
In fact, we would go so far as to say that there are no set ways to approach this journey: The planners amongst us could choose to squirrel away a fixed amount each month for years until they meet “the one”. Alternatively, young couples can mutually decide to go for a “starter” engagement ring and subsequently “upgrade” to a better one as she develops a deeper understanding of her style.
Whatever your case is, select the option that best suits your needs, as diamonds and gemstones come in all shapes, sizes, and qualities, meaning there is truly something for everyone at every price point.
Furthermore, the growing popularity of lab-grown diamonds also means you have a more wallet-friendly option that allows you to satisfy her love for tradition. At the end of the day, nothing is more vital than loving your ring and looking forward to a new phase in life with your beloved.
4. Engagement Rings Should Only Have One Gemstone
This August Bespoke ring features a pair of different-toned Pink Tournalines with a bezel-set round diamond
While many might traditionally think of an engagement ring as one with a single gemstone (or what we call a Solitaire setting), there are no rules when it comes to creating your own unique ring.
That means you have the option to combine any number of gems which reflect your distinct personalities and tell your story in a way that feels most authentic to you. For example, you could explore a “Toi et Moi” design that pairs two unique gems together (e.g. two fancy cut diamonds side by side or mixing and matching a diamond and colored gem for contrast).
Fun fact: In 1796, Napoleon Bonaparte famously started a trend by proposing to his wife Josephine with the unique “Toi et Moi” ring above that comprises not one, but two pear shaped gems - a blue Sapphire and antique diamond.
You can take this concept even further by opting for a clustered ring with a whole collection of gems which hold meaning for you as a couple.
This August Bespoke cluster ring features a Teal hexagon surrounded by gems which represent the different members of the couple’s family.
After all, why limit yourself to a single gem if two or more might tell a better story?
5. All Jewelers Know Best
Jewelers are certainly knowledgeable about their field, but they are neither you nor your fiancé-to-be. If you are confident about the reputation and trustworthiness of a jeweler, then you can rest easy in knowing that your options are all genuine.
However, this does not mean that you should rely on them alone to guide you towards the perfect ring you need, as only you and your fiancé-to-be know what ring suits you the best.
As such, do not allow yourself to feel pressured into choosing something that doesn’t feel right. Mass-market jewelry stores might try to convince you to go with a more popular option such as a round diamond Solitaire ring as they often do not have inventory in the way of unique fancy cuts, colored gemstones, and ring styles.
Going custom with jewelry experts like August Bespoke will allow you to deep-dive into what truly matters to you and create a ring that reflects her style and your story without the hard selling, making it a win-win for all involved.
Conclusion
Engagement rings are undoubtedly special gifts bearing a profound significance with couples ready to share their life journey ahead. However, that does not mean that sticking to tradition is necessary to fulfill their purpose. The key takeaway is to opt for a meaningful ring that best suits you and your partner, rather than adhering to what societal pressure dictates or what your friends might think.
Need help creating the perfect ring for your proposal? Get started with our ring-style quiz to discover what might work best and reach out to our team of experts at August Bespoke to assist you in crafting personalized engagement rings that meets your design requirements, exceeds expectations in craftsmanship, and is sure to be a perfect fit.
For more details about our unique engagement rings in Singapore, book a personal consultation with us or visit our Instagram page for a closer look at our work.
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