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A One-of-a-Kind Ring

As I outlined about 18 months ago, my then-boyfriend (later – fiance, now – husband) visited a variety of jewelry stores (all together, eight) before settling on the one from which he would purchase my engagement ring.

He worked with them for several weeks to come up with the perfect ring. Here’s the process he went through.

First, he worked with the jeweler to choose the perfect center stone. Once that was decided upon, the jeweler chooses the other stones to match in color and clarity. My then-boyfriend knew that he wanted the ring to have 5 stones – 4 side stones totaling a carat and the 1.5 carat center stone. He was focused on cut, clarity and color.

After the stones were decided upon and my then-boyfriend signed off on them, they began the ring-designing process. Here’s how that went:
* Bring photos of other rings that he likes.
* The designer sketched out a few designs and he chose one that he liked.
* Designer creates a 3-D drawing of the ring in a CAD program, and presents to him.
* They discuss changes, and the designer makes them, and presents a second drawing.
* Once approved, they had a 3-D wax model of the ring made.
* Designer shows to him, he suggests further changes, and designer executes them.
* Once the proper design has been created in wax and agreed upon, the ring was made and set with the stones that he (my then-boyfriend) chose.

The process took several weeks – 8 or so, by my estimation, but I could be wrong.

He paid the remaining balance and then hung onto the ring for WEEKS – even bringing it to Mexico and back home, as he thought about proposing there, but ultimately decided not to – opting for a sweet, more intimate and personal proposal.

How he kept this secret, I’ll never know.

Oh, And THE RING

Here’s a pic of the ring. For some reason, diamonds are REALLY difficult to take photos of!

Didn’t the GTB do a fantastic job? Even the edges are squared so it doesn’t turn on my finger.

Here we go!

Still Working On That Ring

I’ve been told I tend to be methodical.  It’s a nasty habit of mine that I tend to drag things out longer than they need to be.  I can’t help that I like to be thorough and like to follow-through on things when I know I’m ready and I’ve done my homework.

Friends have told me that they bought their ring, more or less, overnight.  I’ve heard the stories of shopping in a day and buying the following day.  I’ve heard of friends who basically just got quotes and went with the best one.

I just can’t help that I’d never be able to do something like that.  I want to be sure.  I don’t want to think I cut a corner or that I didn’t ask for something I should have.  I’ve had buyer’s remorse enough in the past to know I don’t want it again.

So, I’m making Landmark work for our money.  I’m making them do every step I’ve read about and every step they’ve offered up.  I’m going to ensure that I get the ring we both have in mind without her even knowing what she wants.

My apologies, Brian, but you’re going to have to keep jumping through these hoops.  You’re going to have to fulfill my every last request until you’ve convinced me that this ring will be what I have in my head.

So far, I can’t complain a bit.  So far…

Whatever Will I Nag About?

What will I nag about after he gives me the ring?

Now, without having it or knowing what stage he’s in (and, ahem, waiting for the proposal as much or more than the ring), I am literally giddy with excitement. Almost all minutes of the day, at least while he’s in the metro area.

The suspense is delicious and damning at the same time.

So I wonder, after he proposes, what will I be able to bug and beg him about?

(note: I really don’t know what the ring looks like, this is simply a pretty, sparkly image for us to dream about and oogle over).

A Very Wedding Day

I used to love Saturdays.  I have fond memories of a ten hour “Road Rules” marathon on a lazy Saturday with my roommate.  I don’t think people realize the dedication it takes to watch 10 hours of television WITH commercials.

That said, this particular day isn’t anything like that.  The BTB just left with her sister to go trying on dresses.  They have an appointment, afterall.

For me, I’ve got ring duties to uphold, errands to run on the future bride’s behalf, and preparations to make for Stella, our puppy.

“And you may ask yourself-well…how did I get here?” – Talking Heads.

The Plot Thickens

So, last night, the BTB and I are having a nice little discussion about dresses and invitations.  You know, the kind of stuff that guys just can’t get enough of.

Then, out of nowhere, she says, “You know, you’re going to have to act like you keep going back to the ring store so that I don’t know when you actually got the ring…”

Damn.  She’s gooooood.

Engagement Ring Mania

I knew the engagement ring thing would be tricky. I didn’t think it would be easy at all. The more I get into it, though, the harder it’s getting. Harder than even I expected.

I love the process that Brian at Landmark is walking me through. He takes his time, he talks about the stones, and he’s not pushy. He’s a salesman, don’t get me wrong, but he’s not pushing too hard and he lets me think things through.

No, the hard part is containing the excitement. I mean, I love the ring we’re putting together. I’m totally into the process. I’m completely into the numbers game. From that perspective, this is a blast.

That said, I can’t let her in on it. I can’t let her know what we’re doing, where we’re at or when this is coming. I want an element of surprise to the whole thing so to maintain that, I’ve got to shut it down.

It’s hard not to just bust out and tell her, but I’ve got to be strong. I’ve got to look into her eyes and say, “No, we’re not talking about this.” and actually live up to it.

Ugh. It’s not going to be easy to keep this up. I’m bound to ruin it…

Anyone got any words of encouragement? I could sure use some right now.

The Anticipation Is Killing Me

After all the ring shopping, I am now salivating at the mouth with the prospect of a ring. I find my eyes wandering to left hands out of habit.

I even may have straightened out my posture once or twice while the HTB (Husband To Be) reached in his pocket and his speech pattern drifted as though he were focused on something else.

I know he didn’t even order a ring or design one, but now I’ve become one of the dreaded “proposal anticipators.” I know it’ll happen when I least expect it.

Part of me hates the waiting, but the rest of me is relishing the anticipation (not that it wouldn’t get tiring after a few months — hint, hint honey!).

Engagement Ring: Winners/Losers

So, we covered a few stores — I tried on some fantastic rings, saw some incredible lighting (why doesn’t someone market an under-the-chin light that shines directly onto the ring and makes is sparkle like it does at the store?!) and we narrowed hundreds of rings down to a few.

Here’s my analysis of the shops: scales are 1-10, with 10 being the best.

Scores are given for friendliness of sales person, knowledge of sales person, general customer service (honesty, tact, etc), value, selection/quality/flexibility in choosing diamonds, selection of rings, and would I refer the shop to a friend.

Engagement Ring Shop Comparison
Ratings of the jewelers we visited by the following criteria:
State	Frendliness	Knowledge	Service	Value	Diamond	Ring	Refer
Cartier	4	NA	6	4	3	3	no
Tiffany	5	6	6	4	1	6	sure
Scheherezad	7	6	6	5	8	8	yes!
Wedding Day	7	5	6	7	7	8	sure
J.B. Hudson	7	7	7	6	7	8	yes!
Landmark	8	10	9	9	10	6	yes!
Continental	2	5	2	6	7	7	no!