The Engagement Ring. A Vintage and Modern Expression of Love

My engagement ring is inspired by a vintage setting with filigree in the band and small diamonds around the crown in what resembles a cupcake (that's what I've been told).  This is the ring that jumped at me from the lot and the one that felt like "me".   But, two of my friends through work got engaged this year and received actual vintage engagement rings.  Marnie's has a really nice stone with what's called an Old Mine Cut.  I did a bit of research and found that this cut was very common in the 1800's and that it was mostly mined in India, whereas most of the other diamonds today are mined in South Africa.  What makes this cut different from other more traditional and "modern" cuts is that it's flat at the bottom versus the pointed kinds, it's squarish but with rounded edges. 

On a similar vein, I also found that this same year two other girls (one of them my friend Melissa) decided for non-diamond engagement rings.  Another way to make a statement!  One chose aquamarine as the center stone and Mel's is a beautiful pear-shaped amethyst with two side stones. 

Overall I think it's a breath of fresh air to see that the engagement ring, as traditional as it is, is being interpreted and adapted to each bride's unique taste.

The Ring!

Fred and I have been living together for almost four years now, and getting engaged was never out of the question, it was simply a matter of time.  When the time came (and I don't know how it happens, it's just some sort of time bomb that goes off) to get serious about it, he started doing his research.  Fred is very much the practical guy, never rushing into anything, never an impulse buy, everything is thoroughly calculated- an engagement ring wouldn't be the exception.

He started doing research and even began looking at lab diamonds; a guaranteed way the diamond would be bloodless.  But, it turned out that the lab diamonds he was finding only went as high as a .5 carat size.  Now, before you pass judgment you have to realize something- I didn't want something that stopped traffic, but not having really been a huge fan of jewelry (costume the only exception) I wanted something that I would enjoy wearing for potentially the rest of my life, and so I did have an idea of what I wanted.  The ideal ring for me would  be around 1carat because I thought it was a nice round number and it's probably the most common diamond size.  Knowing this he went back to the drawing board after finding that the lab diamonds were no longer an option.  And to think that lab diamonds are only a fraction of the cost!

After weeks of research, the man finally realized that it was time for us to go look at the real things.  He warned me: "now, don't get any ideas... we're only going to look at rings so that I can get a sense of what you like, it doesn't mean I'm going to buy anything".  How charming of him!  And so, we went to check out this store in Park Slope, Brooklyn called The Clay Pot that caught our eye after various internet searches.  And there, in a matter of minutes I had found the ring I wanted to own and to wear.  It was simple, but full of intricacies upon close inspection.  And just like that the quest was finally over.  I knew what I wanted, and he knew that once I knew, there was nothing else to it but to just make it happen.  And that, he did!

Here's the pic:

Ring is from the Richard Landi collection: http://richardlandi.com/html_pages/1962.html

And here's the ring on my finger!  I think it's dainty and has plenty of vintage charm. Sigh!