Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 24
No. 232

How do I finance an engagement ring with bad credit?

I've watched too many people finance engagement rings on store cards at 28.99% APR to say this gently: if high-interest debt is the only way you can buy the...

No. 233

Can I buy an engagement ring at a pawn shop?

The last pawn-shop ring a client brought in was a 0.61 carat old mine cut set in a 14k yellow band with a shank worn thin at the base. Daniel had paid...

No. 234

Which diamond cut gives off the most intense fire when it catches the light?

Most intense fire from any diamond cut comes from the round brilliant , but only when it's cut properly. A badly proportioned round brilliant won't throw...

No. 235

Should I get a cathedral setting if I want the diamond to appear taller?

Yes, mostly. A cathedral setting will make a diamond sit visibly higher above the band than a standard peg head, and from the side the stone will read...

No. 236

What specific questions should I ask about a diamond's symmetry and polish?

Symmetry and polish are the two finish grades most buyers glance at and never question. That's a mistake. On a GIA report, they sit under "Finish," and for...

No. 237

Is it more affordable to buy a diamond online and set it in a local store?

Last March, a man named Daniel walked in with a 1.08 carat oval diamond he'd bought from an online retailer for $4,200. He'd bought a diamond online and was...

No. 238

What time of year do jewelry stores have the biggest sales on engagement rings?

The biggest sales on engagement rings happen between late November and the first week of January . That's when the mall chains and big online diamond...

No. 239

How long does a standard jewelry store warranty last on an engagement ring?

There is no single standard. A jewelry store warranty on an engagement ring might run one year at a good independent shop, five or ten at a mid-size chain,...

No. 240

How do I know if a micropavé band will be too delicate for daily life?

I'll say it plainly: a micropavé band can live on a hand for decades, but most of them won't. The weak point isn't the stones. It's the metal around the...

No. 241

How do I prevent sand from getting into the ring setting during a beach proposal?

You can't prevent sand from getting into the ring setting during a beach proposal, not entirely. A grain of sand can be 0.3mm, and the gap under a prong tip...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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