Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 2
No. 12

Can I use a diamond from another piece of jewelry in my engagement ring?

Usually, yes, and anyone who tells you otherwise is trying to sell you a new diamond. Using a diamond from another piece of jewelry in an engagement ring is...

No. 13

What is a tension setting for an engagement ring?

I’ll build a tension setting for a client, but I make them sit through a ten-minute talk about resizing before I quote one. That talk has saved more than...

No. 14

How do I store my engagement ring safely at home?

Twice a month, someone leans across the counter and asks how to store an engagement ring safely at home, and I usually tell them that the answer has less to...

No. 15

How do I clean an engagement ring with an ultrasonic cleaner?

An ultrasonic cleaner will strip grime off a diamond engagement ring faster than anything else I keep at the bench. I still don't reach for it first. Most...

No. 16

What should I do if a prong breaks on my engagement ring?

Last Tuesday a client named Dana walked into the studio holding her engagement ring in one hand and a 0.82 carat round brilliant in the other. A prong had...

No. 17

What is rhodium plating and how often does a white gold ring need it?

Rhodium plating wears off before the ring does. Most white gold jewelry you see in showcases has been rhodium plated at the factory. Without it, the metal...

No. 18

What is the best low-profile engagement ring setting?

The best low-profile engagement ring setting is a full bezel. I'll argue that with any jeweler who disagrees. I've had the argument in my own shop more than...

No. 19

How do I protect my engagement ring during heavy work?

Take it off before the work starts. I don't say that lightly, but it is the single most effective way to protect an engagement ring during heavy work. I...

No. 20

How do I remove a stuck engagement ring from my finger?

About once a month someone walks into the studio with a finger the color of eggplant and a ring that hasn't budged in two days. Usually it's an engagement...

No. 21

What types of engagement rings don't have prongs?

A full bezel is the only prongless engagement ring setting I've ever put on a client who works with her hands and not thought about again. Prongs are the...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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