Love is universal, but YOUR love is unique.
For many couples, an engagement ring is just one of the many ways to discover and demonstrate both their unique style and their special journey and love. But how do you make a symbol of intention and love that’s been around for literally thousands of years stand out?
The key is customization. It can be hard to find what you are looking for in a retail setting, even when there are so many timeless and beautiful options. And you may find one that surprises you and is just perfect. But for your engagement ring, if you aren’t feeling inspired by someone else’s vision of beauty, then check out these tips below because the perfect love deserves the perfect ring.
Include Your Partner in the Design Process
It can feel tempting to make a bold move and have an engagement ring designed with the intention of surprising your partner! But if your engagement ring is to be a reflection of your love and the giver AND wearer’s style, then both people need to be involved in the process. What you find provocative and unique, they may find garish or even tacky, so don’t go it alone.
Take your Time
It takes at least six weeks to have your custom-designed engagement ring ready to help you pop the question, so allow plenty of time to research, explore, and muse over the cut, color, size, setting, and overall wearability of your ring. Don’t rush this step!
Think Beyond Diamonds
You may be thinking that diamonds are the only way to go when it comes to an engagement ring. Still, almost anything that sparkles can be put into a setting, so instead, look for color, meaning, durability, and inspiration. Love a particular color, cast, or hue? There’s a semi-precious or precious stone for that, and don’t forget about the band too! White gold, rose gold, platinum, palladium, silver, and yellow gold are all options, and all have their own unique attributes. Want more inspiration or to learn more about non-traditional choices for engagement rings?
There is No “Right Amount” to Spend on an Engagement Ring
The important thing is that you love it! There are hundreds of designs and combinations that could cost a king’s ransom, but this is irrelevant if you don’t love what you have to look at every day. Hundreds of designs and combinations could be far more affordable than you expect that will make your eyes tear up and your heart flutter. It’s about your style and your love, not the price tag.
Consider Your Story
Grandma’s jewelry box might have a loose stone that she’s been holding onto forever, or perhaps there is an inside joke or something sentimental that would be a beautiful engraving on the inside. This is YOUR story, your history, and your future, design with this in mind. Inspiration is everywhere.
There is nothing new under the sun, but there’s always a different way to do the same thing. Feel free to peruse Pinterest, Google it, look on Etsy, walk through jewelry stores or scroll through galleries online. This is an excellent way to very quickly identify the things you don’t like and enable you to communicate more effectively when you begin working with a jeweler.
Find a Jeweler
You want to partner with a jeweler who is not only skilled and knowledgeable but who is passionate about custom engagement ring design. Simply offering a service and being simply overjoyed to offer a service are two very different things, and only you can decide which it is that your unique love story deserves.
Getting engaged is a very exciting, precious time in your journey. At Grogan Jewelers, we handcraft every piece with care and take every attention to bring your design to life. We’d love to talk to you about your special person and design the perfect engagement ring for a lifetime of love!