Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 35
No. 342

Can I negotiate engagement ring prices?

Daniel walked in last March with a printout from a big online diamond retailer and asked if I could match the price. He wasn't rude about it. He just...

No. 343

Can I propose without a ring and buy one later?

I've been asked this a hundred times at the bench, usually by someone who looks like they haven't slept in three days. A guy named Evan came in last...

No. 344

How often should I have my engagement ring professionally cleaned?

Every six months. That's the short answer. Bring it in twice a year and I'll give it a good ultrasonic bath, a steam blast, and a thorough inspection under...

No. 345

What is a ring jacket or enhancer?

Last March, a client named Rachel walked into the studio carrying her grandmother's engagement ring in one hand and a strange little broken band in the...

No. 346

How do I surprise her with the ring if she knows it's coming?

Priya called me three weeks before she proposed. She and her girlfriend, Claire, had designed the ring together-1.8 carat antique cushion, VS1, in an 18k...

No. 347

Is an oval diamond just as brilliant as a round one?

No. Not quite. A round brilliant is the benchmark for white-light return because its facet pattern was engineered for it. A well-cut oval can get...

No. 348

How does a cushion cut diamond sparkle compared to a round one?

A round brilliant is a math problem solved. A cushion cut is a conversation. The sparkle difference comes down to facet arrangement. A modern round...

No. 349

Is it safe to buy engagement rings online?

About a year and a half ago, a client named Daniel walked in with a ring he'd bought from a website I won't name. He was proud of the deal - a 1.5 carat...

No. 350

What is an eternity band?

An eternity band is a beautiful idea that clients often regret later. Not always, but often enough that I've learned to ask some pointed questions before...

No. 351

Is it okay to buy a used engagement ring?

Last October a man named Eli came into the studio with a ring he'd bought from an online estate sale-a 1930s platinum setting, hand-engraved shoulders,...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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