PW Guide Article: Selecting your Engagement Ring

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I feel like this article needs more....

My FI proposed with a "starter" ring. I guess we're suppose to shop for the real thing now...or do we? It's cute, definitely not the vintage one I'd hoped for. Is it bad taste to find a different ring other than the one he proposed with?

jesandshan, thanks for your feedback!  I've updated the article with more info on diamond shapes and sizes...I hope it helps.

Some additional things to think about are that pave or micro-pave stones are prone to loosening or coming out of their settings, and even repeated ultrasound cleaning of the ring can facilitate this. If you work with your hands or are hard on rings, settings with pave or micro-pave may not be good choices for you.

Also, the metal you choose for your setting is important. Platinum is extremely popular, but other girls like white gold because it is less expensive. White gold is also more durable in some respects than platinum. However, white gold has some drawbacks...it is usually rhodium plated to provide that nice white shine, and you have to re-plate every year or so to maintain the look. Scratches are also a consideration. With platinum, scratches simply displace the metal, so that when you buff the ring it is perfect and new again. This is not the case with white gold.

Yellow gold has different charactaristics than white gold, and is general considered the most durable of jewelry metals and is a good choice if you are hard on rings. However, yellow gold isn't as popular as it once was, and the selection of settings isn't as good as with platinum or white gold.

Palladium is another metal that is becoming popular for engagement rings and wedding bands. A member of the platinum family, it is much less expensive than platinum, with many of the positive charactaristics of platinum. But it is much lighter weight than platinum, which some brides do not like. There are other differences also.

Bottom line is do a lot of research with this important purchase and do not let the "romance" of it all get in the way of making a good decision.

veradevera, a "starter" ring is a great way to propose; with the diamond being such a large investment, the "starter" ring approach makes it possible to focus on the qualities of your center stone, your relationship, and popping the question!

I'm sure you fiancee wants you to be happy and proud of not only your relationship, but also the diamond and your mounting.  Find ways to talk with him about the diamond and the mounting to gauge his feelings; visit shops together (online and in the mall) so you can learn from each other and establish a common goal.

During your marriage, it's possible that you choose to change your mounting.  Some do this to upgrade, others do it to change styles, whatever the reason, touching base and communicating with your partner is key before making the move.  Be happy together!