Vol. I · May 2026
put a ring on it
An editorial on the small, circular things we keep
Archive · Page 8
No. 72

Where can I buy a loose diamond to set myself?

Buying a loose diamond is the single best way to save money on a custom ring, and also the single easiest way to get burned if you don't know where to look....

No. 73

What’s the difference between GIA and IGI diamond certifications?

I'll say it plainly: for a natural diamond, I want a GIA report. For a lab-grown stone, IGI is the standard, and I'd rather have an IGI report than no...

No. 74

How do I read a diamond grading report?

Most people read a diamond grading report wrong. They flip to the 4Cs and treat the rest as fine print. A diamond grading report is a map, not a verdict,...

No. 75

What are fancy color diamond engagement rings?

A 1.04 carat fancy vivid yellow radiant sat on my bench this morning, and I kept tilting it under the Optivisor just to watch the color move across the...

No. 76

Should I worry about clarity-enhanced diamonds?

Yes, you should worry about clarity-enhanced diamonds, but not because they're fake. They are real diamonds. The worry is about what was done to them and...

No. 77

Why does my engagement ring turn my finger green?

An engagement ring turns your finger green for one reason: copper in the alloy. Most engagement rings are not pure gold. 14k gold is only 58.5% gold, and...

No. 78

What hypoallergenic metals are best for engagement rings?

Forget almost all white gold if you have a metal allergy. When clients ask me about hypoallergenic metals for engagement rings, that is the first thing I...

No. 79

What kind of ring box should I use for the proposal?

The ring box matters less than the ring, but not by much. A good proposal box stays shut in your pocket and lets the ring do the work when it opens. A bad...

No. 80

What documents do I need to insure an engagement ring?

The document that actually matters when you insure an engagement ring is an appraisal from an independent appraiser, not the receipt from the store. Most...

No. 81

How do I measure my ring size at home accurately?

You can get close at home. You won't nail it every time, and that's okay if you know where the errors come from. The two methods I actually trust are...

A letter, every other Sunday.

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