The time has come for you to propose, and you’re unsure about where to start. Does your partner prefer to shop only the most unique engagement rings? Do they want the coolest engagement ring? Whatever their preferences, finding the right ring is without a doubt, incredibly important.
In this blog post we will go over the importance of engagement rings, history, what makes an engagement ring “cool,” how to shop for one, and much more.
The Significance of Engagement Rings
The tradition of the engagement goes back centuries and is thought to have originated with the Ancient Egyptians and Romans.
A Brief History of the Engagement Ring
But although the tradition of rings is a long one, the custom gained prominence in Europe in the Middle Ages. In 1477, Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave the first diamond engagement ring on record to Mary of Burgundy. After that offering, proposing with a diamond engagement ring became popular.
However, the act of proposing with a diamond engagement ring rose to popularity in modern times starting in the 1940s. Sometime around 1947 De Beers came out with its “Diamonds Are Forever” campaign and the rest was history.
Thanks to these events, this cultural tradition endures and represents hopes for the future with a nod to the romance of the past.
Engagement Ring Symbolism
Beyond adornment, the engagement ring overflows with symbolism.
The never-ending circle of a gold engagement ring reflects the hope for everlasting union. The diamond’s sparkle and strength represent a resilient bond. The setting joined without visible beginning or end has come to signify unity and fidelity. Together, these symbolic attributes make the ring a powerful emblem of devotion.
The Emotional Significance of Choosing the Perfect Ring
There are few purchases an individual will make in a lifetime that carry more meaning than selecting the ideal engagement ring.
The engagement ring’s significance goes beyond the representation of shared dreams, values and affection. When thoughtfully chosen, the ring becomes a cherished reminder of sincere commitment, as well as a placeholder for memories and a promise for tomorrow.
Its emotional weight deserves an investment of time and care to find the perfect fit.
Trends in Coolest Engagement Rings
Today’s engagement rings reveal contemporary preferences for unique, eco-friendly, and customized pieces. Lab grown diamonds, minimalist settings, and asymmetrical shapes satisfy the desire for newness.
Ethically sourced and recycled metals align with green values. Engraving, hidden halos, and birthstones convey personalization. These of-the-moment trends showcase both individuality and responsibility.
And while each era sees new styles arise, today personalization stands apart as a growing priority. Engraved messages, coordinating wedding bands, and hidden accents meaningfully distinguish every relationship’s uniqueness.
These one-of-a-kind touches ensure your ring represents your unique love story. Even modern trends can hold timeless significance if you tailor it thoughtfully.
Types of Engagement Rings
There are many different styles of engagement rings to choose from, but some of the coolest engagement rings you will find are:
Classic Solitaire Engagement Rings
Solitaire rings featuring a single prominent diamond. They allow understated elegance, and are suited to traditional tastes that value timelessness over trends.
Vintage Engagement Rings
With their delicate embellishments and warm metal tones, vintage engagement rings captivate romantics enamored with the allure of bygone eras.
Halo Engagement Rings
Frames of sparkling accent stones (the halo) surround the center diamond in this beautiful ring.
Halo rings appeal to those desiring eye-catching extravagance and presence, especially because halos make a diamond center stone look like a larger stone than it is.
Three Stone Engagement Rings
Symbolic of the couple’s past, present, and future together, the significance of the three stone engagement ring design is perfect for those who truly value sentiment. This versatile style generally features one larger center stone flanked by a smaller stone on either side.
Choosing the Right Coolest Engagement Ring
The steps for choosing the coolest engagement ring aren’t much different from choosing any other type of engagement ring. You start with a budget then get into the fun details.
Let’s take a look at each step a little closer:
Determine Your Budget
Be realistic about what you can afford. Don’t worry about outdated rules that say you need to spend three month’s salary on a ring. You can find a beautiful ring that fits your budget if you know what to look for.
Consider the Metal Type
Does your partner want a yellow gold band, a rose gold band? Or maybe they prefer white gold or platinum? You should of course keep in mind their preferences, but also think about cost.
Platinum is generally more expensive than gold. If you want to save some money but want the white shine of platinum, consider white gold. One of the only downsides to white gold is that it will have to be replated in order for it to keep its bright shine.
Select the Gemstone
Considering a diamond or their favorite hue like emerald? Defaulting to diamond isn’t a must even though it’s traditional.
Select the Ring Style
Should the ring you choose be understated, sparkly, or make an artistic statement? Would a diamond studded band be appropriate? Match the style to their personality and to what they prefer. Ultimately, the coolest engagement ring is the one your partner loves.
Think about the 4 Cs
The 4Cs were created in the 1940s by Gemological Institute of America founder Robert M. Shipley. They encompass cut, color, clarity and carat weight and impact both a diamond’s beauty and its value.
When you understand the 4Cs, you are in a better position to get the best deal possible. For instance, round cut diamonds are the most popular shape but are quite expensive–they can also look smaller than other diamonds of the same carat weight.
If your partner’s heart isn’t set on exploring round cut diamond engagement rings, you can get a fancy shape (like an oval or emerald cut diamond) for much less. Not only will the oval be less expensive, it will look larger.
You can play around with different aspects of the 4Cs in exactly this way to get the best deal on a diamond engagement ring while still ensuring it’s your partner’s dream ring. Be sure to study up on the 4Cs before you shop.
Explore ethical and sustainable Lab Grown Diamonds
Lab grown diamonds are grown in a lab under controlled conditions. They don’t require mining that tears up the Earth, contaminates water sources, and interferes with ecosystems.
Lab diamonds are also ethical. When you buy lab grown, you can be sure neither the Earth nor the people who inhabit it were harmed to get it. Another excellent benefit of lab created diamonds is they are 30-50% less expensive than their mined counterparts–what would you do with the money you save buying lab grown?
Caring for Your Coolest Engagement Ring
When it comes to caring for your cool engagement ring, there are a couple of things to consider: cleaning and maintenance, and insurance.
Ring Cleaning and Maintenance
Cleaning your ring at home is simple to do, and we encourage you to do this at least once a month to ensure it stays shiny and beautiful.
Forget about using harsh chemicals and ultrasonic cleaners; these can cause damage to your ring. Potential damage these methods can cause includes damage to the metal, the setting itself, or your ring’s gemstone.
Instead, create a gentle cleaning mixture by combining hand soap and warm water in a small dish. Soak your ring (and any other fine jewelry you want to clean) for about 10-15 minutes, then scrub lightly with a soft brush. Once your jewelry is clean, set it out on a soft cloth to dry.
Insurance
If you purchase your diamond ring from a reputable jewelry then you should receive a diamond certificate. This certificate includes all of the information about your diamond, including color, cut, and clarity grades, and its carat weight.
The certificate should also include other pertinent information, such as whether or not the diamond has received any treatment or if it is lab grown. This certificate is also important because it will help determine your diamond’s value so you can have it insured.
A diamond engagement ring is one of the most important and expensive items you will likely buy in your lifetime, and it should be properly protected with the right insurance coverage. If properly insured, you are protected if you should lose your ring, or if it becomes damaged or stolen.
The Emotional Journey of Buying an Engagement Ring
From budgetary constraints to making sure you get everything “just right,” shopping for an engagement ring can be an emotional journey with many ups and downs. But if you’ve done your homework and addressed your finances, learned about the 4Cs, and discussed expectations with your partner, you’re already more than half way to proposing.
Acknowledge that even though this is a happy time, it does come with its own set of hurdles and expectations. And know that as long as you and your partner are happy with the ring, that’s all that truly matters.
Find the Coolest Engagement Rings With Clean Origin
At Clean Origin, we pride ourselves on offering a wide range of beautiful engagement rings. From the cool and classic solitaire to the romantic vintage engagement ring, and even unique engagement ring styles, you’re sure to find something you love that falls within your price range. Need a matching wedding band? We have those, too.
Our lab grown diamond engagement rings cost 30-50% less than mined diamond rings. And yes, they’re 100% genuine diamonds. They’re chemically, physically, and optically the same as mined diamonds–the only difference is they’re grown in a lab, not mined from the Earth.
If you need help finding the cool rings, unique engagement rings, or prefer something more personal feel free to contact us. Our diamond experts are available to help you find exactly what you want or to guide you toward building your own custom engagement rings.
Happy shopping!
