Photo: Courtesy of Scott Kay
So your longtime love just popped the question, no, not THAT question, the one that comes before it — do you want to go ring shopping together? Before you take that adrenaline rush and head out to find the engagement ring of your dreams, there are a few things to take into consideration. First and foremost, it all starts with the setting. You need something to make sure you’re shining bright, right?
Bezel, tension, pave, cluster, bar, channel: the options are endless and sometimes a bit daunting! So where’s a future bride-to-be to start? Consider these five points before deciding what engagement ring setting is right for you.
Consider the Wedding Ring
Sure, it’s easy to get caught up in the diamond madness but don’t forget the ring that will symbolize your eternal commitment. Consider the type of wedding band you would like and how you plan to wear your engagement ring after the wedding. Do you want rings that stack on top of each other? Would you like to wear a wedding band that matches your engagement ring? Or will you be wearing the engagement ring on your right hand and letting a sparkly diamond wedding band do the talking? It’s important to think about what band you might be wearing for the rest of your life before you decide on the engagement ring that kicks off that magical time in your life.
Invest in a Set
Designers like Scott Kay have thought ahead and planned collections that offer matching wedding bands to your engagement ring, if that’s the direction you want to go in. Choose the engagement ring, your wedding band, and his wedding band with a collection like Scott Kay’s Namaste (above) that offers all three in coordinating styles.
Think About Your Lifestyle
Are you the type who will not be caught dead without your engagement ring, even in the sweatiest of dance cardio classes? Or do you spend more time at the blow dry bar than a barre class? A bezel set might be right for you if you live a more active lifestyle since it encircles the diamond. If you’re dead set on a classic prong setting with a solitaire diamond you can still get the look with a round bezel setting, that won’t potentially snag on clothes like a prong.
Photo: Courtesy of Scott Kay
Diamonds Upon Diamonds
Are you planning on having a single stone or have you always dreamt of a diamond surrounded by sapphires? How many stones you’ll wear on your finger will definitely influence the type of setting you choose. And a pave setting will add even more sparkle to your sparkler. And if want that ring to shine even more you might want to consider a stone set in a halo of even more diamonds, like this stunner from Scott Kay’s Luminaire collection.
Photo: Courtesy of Scott Kay
The Meaning Behind Your Setting
This is the biggest piece of jewelry you’ll purchase in your lifetime so you want every aspect of it to carry meaning. Look for special touches that carry a deeper connection, like Scott Kay’s Embrace collection featuring links in the rings’ band and setting which symbolize: “Linking my heart to yours I promise to share ONE SOUL, ONE LOVE, ONE LIFE together.” Who needs an engraving when your ring is already that meaningful?
