Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 36
No. 352

What does the karat mean on a gold engagement ring?

Marco held two rings in his palm last month, both yellow gold, both size 6.5. One was stamped 14k, the other 18k. He couldn't see the difference, and that's...

No. 353

How do I compare engagement ring prices?

About two-thirds of the couples who sit across my bench tell me they've already compared prices online. Most are comparing the wrong things. They pull up...

No. 354

Can I get an engagement ring that doesn't snag on clothes?

Nicole came in on a Tuesday, still in her scrubs, holding a ring that had snagged a surgical gown the day before. Not a bad snag - no harm done - but she'd...

No. 355

How do I avoid engagement ring shopping scams?

Most engagement ring scams aren't clever. They're quiet, boring, and they work because nobody wants to look uninformed while spending four figures on a...

No. 356

What should I do if I lose the engagement ring?

Last March a client named Daniel called me from a ski lodge in Utah, voice shaking, to tell me he'd lost his wife's engagement ring somewhere on the...

No. 357

How do I pick an engagement ring that matches her style?

Marco walked into my studio last fall with a confident smile and a photo on his phone. He wanted a ring that matched his girlfriend's style. The photo was...

No. 358

What is a good carat size for an engagement ring?

Most people asking this are really asking, “How much finger coverage will I get?” And the answer has almost nothing to do with carat weight and everything...

No. 359

What is a halo engagement ring?

Halo settings are the most requested design I try to talk a client out of, and about half the time I fail. That's not a secret. I tell them upfront: I'll...

No. 360

Where can I sell an old engagement ring?

Tracy came in last October with a 0.85 carat round brilliant, GIA certified, set in a 14k white gold cathedral setting. Her ex-fiancé had paid $4,200 for it...

No. 361

How do I upgrade an engagement ring later?

Nicole walked into the studio on a Thursday with a ring she’d worn for eight years. The ring was a 0.64 carat round brilliant, G/VS2, set in a 1.8mm 14k...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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