Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 12
No. 112

In which countries is the engagement ring worn on the right hand?

Right-hand engagement rings aren't a random preference. Most of the time they follow the same cultural line as right-hand wedding bands, which puts the...

No. 113

What do I do with the engagement ring during the wedding ceremony?

Lauren called me two days before her wedding, holding her engagement ring in one hand and her band in the other, asking what she was supposed to do with the...

No. 114

Should I take off my engagement ring when working out?

Yes. You should take off your engagement ring when working out, at least for anything that involves gripping metal, lifting heavy, or catching yourself on a...

No. 115

Should I get a ring holder necklace for when I can't wear my ring?

Yes, with a caveat: most ring holder necklaces are better at looking cute than at holding a ring. If you're going to wear a ring holder necklace, get one...

No. 116

How can I propose with a ring box creatively?

Most creative proposal ideas go wrong because they make the box the point. The ring becomes the backup singer. I've spent 22 years at the bench, and I've...

No. 117

How do I keep the ring a surprise if we go shopping together?

Daniel walked in with Priya on a Saturday morning in October, both of them smiling, both of them nervous. They'd agreed to pick out the engagement ring...

No. 118

What do different gemstone engagement rings symbolize?

The symbolism clients ask about when they want different gemstone engagement rings is only half the story. The other half is whether the stone can survive...

No. 119

What are common engagement ring traditions around the world?

Most engagement ring traditions are messier than the internet lists make them look. I’ve made rings for clients from maybe a dozen countries, and the one...

No. 120

Is a tension setting safe for an engagement ring?

I’ve built maybe nine true tension settings in the last six years. I’ll do them. I’ll also tell you straight: a tension setting is safe for an engagement...

No. 121

What is a good engagement ring for someone who works with their hands?

Most engagement rings I make for people who work with their hands end up being bezel-set or flush-set, not because the clients came in asking for that but...

A letter, every other Sunday.

One essay, one object, one quiet recommendation — delivered slowly, the way these things ought to be.