Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 20
No. 192

What should I do if the engagement ring causes an allergic reaction?

Take the ring off. It doesn't have to be forever, but until you know why your finger is angry, the ring stays out of the picture. If the engagement ring...

No. 193

How do I get an engagement ring appraised for a fair market value?

Sarah walked in last March with a 1.03 carat old European cut in a worn 14k setting and a folder of paperwork. The 2014 insurance replacement appraisal said...

No. 194

Can I buy an engagement ring with a colored diamond?

Yes. I'd go further and say a colored diamond is one of the few engagement ring choices that doesn't look like every other ring in the room. But before you...

No. 195

How do I pick a ring style that won't look dated in 20 years?

In my 22 years at the bench, most rings that look dated in twenty years were dated on day one. They weren't bought as bad rings. They were bought as trend...

No. 196

What engagement ring styles are best for someone who works with their hands?

The best engagement ring styles for someone who works with their hands share one trait: a low profile. Not just low-set. Low. The stone should sit close to...

No. 197

Are there engagement ring styles that are work-safe for nurses?

I tell nurses the same thing I tell chefs and rock climbers: the ring that survives your shift is not the ring in the case photo. A work-safe engagement...

No. 198

What is the symbolism of a hidden halo?

A hidden halo is a private detail. That's really the whole symbolism. The ring has a row of tiny diamonds set beneath the center stone's girdle, usually...

No. 199

Can I add a matching band later if I didn't buy a set?

Yes. Sets are mostly a retail convenience, and I'd rather make you a band later than sell you a set upfront. What you probably want is a band that sits...

No. 200

How do I know if a vintage ring is authentic?

A 1920s platinum filigree engagement ring came across my bench last March. Nicole, the client, had bought it online as an original Art Deco piece, and she...

No. 201

Why do engagement rings have a diamond in the first place?

The diamond engagement ring is a 1940s invention dressed up as an ancient tradition, and the reason engagement rings have a diamond in the first place is...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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