Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 19
No. 182

What is the etiquette for wearing an engagement ring at the gym?

The knurling on a standard barbell is harder than any gold alloy I set, and harder than platinum too. If you're asking about the etiquette for wearing an...

No. 183

Should I buy the engagement ring from the same jeweler as the wedding band?

Buy the engagement ring from the same jeweler as the wedding band if you can. I'll say that straight, because most of the problems I end up fixing on bridal...

No. 184

What is a proposal ring and how is it different from an engagement ring?

Maybe once a month, someone walks into the studio and asks me the difference between a proposal ring and an engagement ring. Most of the time, they've been...

No. 185

How do I find out if a diamond is stolen or has a shady history?

Last March a man brought in a 1.87 carat round brilliant he'd bought in a parking lot. He paid $9,400 cash. The stone had a GIA report and a visible laser...

No. 186

Can I wear my engagement ring in a swimming pool?

No. Not in a chlorinated pool, not in a saltwater pool, not in a lake. When someone asks can I wear my engagement ring in a swimming pool , I give them the...

No. 187

What is the significance of the number of side stones on a ring?

Most clients think the number of side stones on a ring is mostly about symbolism. It is mostly about structure. That does not mean the meaning is fake. It...

No. 188

What if my girlfriend wants a ring that's beyond my budget?

Don't finance it. I've spent twenty-two years at the bench, and I've watched too many people leave my studio already dreading the payment on a ring that...

No. 189

How do I clean an antique engagement ring without damaging it?

Last Tuesday a client named Ellen came in with her great-grandmother's 1908 platinum and diamond engagement ring, a delicate trellis setting with a 0.68...

No. 190

What does it mean if a diamond is eye-clean?

Eye-clean is not a grade. It's a judgment call, and most clients misunderstand it. A diamond is eye-clean if you cannot see inclusions with your unaided eye...

No. 191

Is a three-stone engagement ring more meaningful than a solitaire?

No. A three-stone engagement ring is not automatically more meaningful than a solitaire, because the setting doesn't carry the meaning. The decision behind...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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