Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 5
No. 42

How often should I have the prongs checked?

Every twelve months, at minimum. That's the answer I give when a client asks, "How often should I have the prongs checked?" and it holds for most daily-wear...

No. 43

Can I wear my engagement ring on my right hand instead of left?

Nicole came in last fall with an engagement ring sized for her left ring finger and a bartending job in Astoria that made that hand a magnet for scratches...

No. 44

Why does my engagement ring spin around my finger?

The ring is too big, or the head is too heavy, and usually it's a little of both. When an engagement ring spins around your finger, it means the fit is...

No. 45

How do I pick a wedding band that sits flush against my engagement ring?

Most flush-fit problems are really engagement-ring problems. Picking a wedding band that sits flush against your engagement ring means ignoring the band...

No. 46

How do I safely clean an antique engagement ring?

The safest home clean for most antique engagement rings is warm water, a couple drops of plain dish soap, and a soft baby toothbrush. But "antique" covers a...

No. 47

Is moissanite a good diamond alternative for an engagement ring?

Moissanite is a good diamond alternative for an engagement ring, with two caveats. It is not a fake diamond, and it does not behave like one. Moissanite is...

No. 48

How can I engrave the engagement ring?

If you're deciding how to engrave the engagement ring, start with the band width, not the font. Most people pick the words first and the method second....

No. 49

What is a tension setting on an engagement ring?

Tension settings make me nervous. I'll build one for an engagement ring, but I quote the limitations before I take the deposit. A tension setting on an...

No. 50

What is the average diamond size for engagement rings in the US?

Somewhere between 0.9 and 1.2 carats. That's the average diamond size for engagement rings in the US, center stone only, depending on which survey you read...

No. 51

Should I declare an engagement ring when going through customs?

Short answer: declare an engagement ring when going through customs, every single time. The agent at JFK doesn't care that you're about to propose on a...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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