It’s cuffing season again, which means romantic moments abound, primed and ready for the big question: Will you marry me? There’s a lot that goes into the perfect proposal moment – whether it’s an intimate moment over a fancy dinner or an elaborate surprise with friends, family, and a professional photographer, popping the question can take months of planning. Before getting too caught up in the flower arrangements and tuxedoed string quartet, make absolutely sure that the right ring has been secured. Don’t get us wrong – the more thought put into the proposal, the better, but any woman can vouch that if the engagement ring isn’t a breathtaking token of love, devotion, and admiration, even a hundred white doves can’t save the moment.
Pricing Engagement Rings the Old Fashioned Way
Traditionally, it used to be pretty easy to know what to spend on an engagement ring, it all came down to a simple equation: Take whatever the groom’s salary is, and spend two to three months’ worth on an engagement ring to present the blushing soon-to-be-bride. This easy equation might be the way to go for guys with a love of simplicity and tradition. Historically, engagement rings were a statement of wealth as well as love – and not just for bragging rights (though they are a perk.) Presenting a bride-to-be with a significant portion of a man’s salary was a way to show both the bride and her father that she has a future of financial stability. This isn’t a gesture to take lightly, either. When women were not allowed to pursue a career themselves, it was paramount to find a husband who could financially take care of a household. By gifting a ring that cost a set portion of his salary, the hopeful groom was able to show his intent as well as his viability as a match. In many traditional marriages today, these principles and customs still ring true.
Pricing Engagement Rings for the Modern World
While we can never go wrong by leaning on tradition, it would be remiss to not mention a more modern way to determine the cost of an engagement ring. While two or three months of salary might make sense in a traditional engagement, it doesn’t work very well with couples that have debt, combined finances, or specific goals. If she doesn’t care about ring size but needs that all-inclusive honeymoon, maybe allocating funds toward travel would be a prudent decision. Many young women have heirloom rings from mothers and grandmothers that offset the cost of an engagement ring almost entirely, meaning that budget can go to a huge engagement party or the perfect wedding venue. At the end of the day, a ring is simply a symbol of love and devotion. No matter the budget, there’s a perfect engagement ring out there for every unique couple.
A Prim Princess
For those budgeting on the lower end of the spectrum, fear not – the right cut of diamond can make even a simple design sparkle and shine. The Princess Cut Solitaire Semi Mount from the Deutsch Signature Collection is a solitaire princess cut diamond on a polished white gold band. The Princess Cut is a square cut with sharp edges and it captures light with about 58 facets, making it sparkle and shine from every angle. It’s no wonder why princess-cut diamonds are known for being the archetypal engagement ring diamond.
Let Them See Your Halo
For a midrange engagement ring with a little extra dazzle, look no further than the 2-Sided Micro Pave Square Halo Semi Mount by the Deutsch Signature Collection. A pave of smaller, brilliant round diamonds on the band of the ring and a halo of diamonds around the center stone adds a sparkle to any ring that can’t be beat. This ring is fully customizable, offering white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, or platinum as options for the mount and band. With all of the customization options, the Square Halo Mount by Deutsch can be as unique as the love it represents.
Big Ring, Bright Future
Sometimes, a ring just speaks for itself. The stunning 22.84k Diamond Engagement Ring by Norman Silverman boasts a massive centerpiece diamond as well as a diamond pave. This ring has all the bells and whistles. The center diamond is a flawless cushion-cut diamond set atop a white gold mount with a delicate halo and pave that only acts to accentuate the shine. When presented with this ring in a little black box, there isn’t a girl in her right mind that would turn an engagement down. Talk about an auspicious engagement.
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