Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 18
No. 172

Can I use toothpaste to clean my engagement ring safely?

No. Toothpaste has no business cleaning an engagement ring, and if a jeweler ever told you to use it, that jeweler owes you an apology, because toothpaste...

No. 173

How often should I get my engagement ring reappraised for insurance?

Every three years, unless something changes. That’s how often I tell clients to get a natural diamond engagement ring reappraised for insurance. If the...

No. 174

What should I know about buying an engagement ring for a man?

If you’re buying an engagement ring for a man, forget everything the women’s engagement ring market taught you. Most men are not waiting for a 1.5 carat...

No. 175

Can I use a family diamond in a new setting for an engagement ring?

You can use a family diamond in a new engagement ring setting. Yes, that's the short answer. It's also the right answer for most people who inherit a stone,...

No. 176

What are the risks of buying an engagement ring sight unseen online?

The biggest risk of buying an engagement ring sight unseen online isn't fraud. It's that the stone you get is exactly the stone they photographed, and the...

No. 177

What is a hidden halo engagement ring?

The first hidden halo I built was for Priya, back in 2019. She came in with a 1.08 carat old European cut diamond, GIA graded, H color, VS2, and a clear...

No. 178

What are the most common mistakes guys make when buying an engagement ring?

In twelve years of watching engagement ring buyers walk in, the most common mistakes guys make when buying an engagement ring are rarely about money....

No. 179

Is it acceptable to wear an engagement ring before the proposal?

Yes. Wear it. You can wear an engagement ring before the proposal, and I've seen enough clients do it to stop treating the question like a moral issue. Last...

No. 180

How do I get the ring size right if she has knobby knuckles?

A ring that clears the knuckle but spins at the base is the most common ring sizing mistake I see. If she has knobby knuckles, the key to getting the ring...

No. 181

Can I design an engagement ring that also functions as a wedding band?

Yes, you can. But I'll spend the first fifteen minutes of any consultation trying to talk you out of it. Designing an engagement ring that also functions as...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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