Everyone seems to have a few hard and fast things they know about engagement rings— whether it be the perfect size, the ideal shape, or the rules around budget, everyone has ideas of what is right.
Purchasing an engagement ring is no small step. It's a big purchase both emotionally and financially, so naturally you will want to get right. Just like buying a car or putting a down payment on a house, it's best to go into it informed.
We've pulled together ten of the biggest engagement ring myths we've heard out there— along with what is actually true— for discerning brides- and grooms-to-be.
From a Jeweler: 10 Engagement Ring Myths Busted
You have to spend XX% of your salary on the ring.
We've heard it all: that you should spent two months pay, three months pay, and a certain percentage of your annual salary on an engagement ring. This is a myth; the best budget is the one you come up with and that feels comfortable in your own financial situation. Remember, you can always finance, or pay with a credit card. Learn more about financing HERE.
Diamonds are indestructible and can’t be damaged.
While diamonds score a 10/10 on the Mohs Scale of hardness (meaning of all minerals, they’re one of the hardest and most difficult to destruct), it’s possible for a diamond to chip or crack if struck at the right angle with the right force. This is why it's a good idea to leave your ring in a safe place when working with your hands or playing hand-contact sports.
Platinum engagement ring settings are indestructible.
Just like its white gold and yellow gold counterparts, your platinum engagement ring setting can be damaged through excessive wear or blunt force.
A solitaire is a ring with a single round shaped diamond.
Solitaire comes from the word ‘solo,’ meaning a single diamond when referring to an engagement ring. A solitaire ring can actually have any shape of center diamond. The only real criteria for a solitaire engagement ring is that it has no additional diamonds on the band. You can absolutely have a pear shaped diamond solitaire engagement ring, for example!
Round diamonds appear the largest compared to other shapes.
While round diamonds have the potential to sparkle more than any other diamond shape, their symmetry also makes them appear slightly smaller in comparison to a fancy shaped diamond of the same carat weight.
The apparent size of any diamond, when viewed from the top down, can vary depending on the shape and size of the wearer’s hand. This is why it's a great idea to try on different diamond shapes and setting styles when beginning your engagement ring search.
The engagement ring and wedding band should match.
Gone are the days of the engagement ring and wedding band having to be a perfect match (thankfully). There are endless opportunities to create your own unique look with a mix of metals and styles between your engagement ring and wedding band. If you really want to create a unique look, choose more than one wedding band for a stacked look.
A true engagement ring has a diamond center stone.
While we love a diamond engagement ring, emeralds, sapphires, and other gemstones are stealing center stage in some stunning engagement rings. Each gemstone has its own beautiful hue and meaning, so there is no need to feel like you have to choose a diamond when finding or creating your perfect engagement ring.
The setting is just a stage for the center diamond.
While your center stone might be more expensive than the setting, both combine to make the whole package. If you view an engagement ring setting as simply a stage for the diamond, you could be missing out on some beautiful details. Give thought to the setting as much as the center stone.
The engagement ring has to be a surprise.
While most couples still prefer a surprise proposal, discussing what she likes and dislikes in engagement rings— or even stopping by the showroom to try on rings together— will help ensure your partner will love the final ring you choose. Don't worry— the proposal will still be a surprise!
Designing your own engagement ring is hard.
While custom designing your engagement ring can be a big undertaking, it can actually be both easy and cost efficient to design the ring of your dreams. A custom, handcrafted piece of jewelry allows you the opportunity to create and design a one of a kind piece of jewelry that will become a part of you. Our expert custom design team give you the opportunity to create the engagement ring of your dreams. We use the latest design tools to show you exactly what your piece of jewelry will look like so you can be assured it will be exactly what you are looking for and enjoy for years to come. Learn more about our custom design process here.
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