Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 17
No. 162

When is the right time to upgrade an engagement ring?

Most people pick the wrong moment. They upgrade when a chain store runs a promotion, when a friend gets a bigger stone, or when they've been married ten...

No. 163

Is it safe to wear an engagement ring on a chain around my neck?

Most of the time, no. Wearing an engagement ring on a chain around your neck is less safe than wearing it on your finger, and the failure points are...

No. 164

Can I wear my engagement ring in the pool without damaging it?

No. I don't care if it's a chlorine pool, a saltwater pool, or a hotel hot tub. An engagement ring in the pool is a risk I ask every client not to take....

No. 165

Should I remove my engagement ring when gardening?

Yes. Remove it before you garden. A diamond won't scratch from soil, but the mounting will. A prong-set engagement ring is a small machine for catching on...

No. 166

Is it okay to sleep with an engagement ring on?

About once a month, a client comes in with a bent prong or a missing pavé stone and tells me she never takes her ring off, not even to sleep. I get it. The...

No. 167

What's the best way to travel with an engagement ring without losing it?

The best way to travel with an engagement ring without losing it isn't a clever trick. It's a habit. The ring has exactly two places it is allowed to be: on...

No. 168

How many times can an engagement ring be resized without weakening it?

Three clean resizes, maybe four. That's my working answer for how many times an engagement ring can be resized without weakening it, and I'd rather tell you...

No. 169

What are some romantic engraving ideas for inside the band?

The best inside-band engraving I've ever cut was eleven characters long. It wouldn't show up on most lists of romantic engraving ideas, because it was just...

No. 170

What engagement ring style is best for someone who works with their hands?

Prongs are the enemy if you work with your hands. I'll say that to anyone who asks, usually before they've finished the sentence. The best engagement ring...

No. 171

How do I ensure the gold in my ring is ethically sourced?

Most of the gold in a typical engagement ring has been through a refinery, a dealer, a caster, and a bench before it gets to your finger. That doesn't make...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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