Contrary to popular belief, engagement rings don’t have to be boring. A round solitaire is about as traditional a stone as you can get, but even those can be spiced up. I encourage clients to be creative. In 2007 or so, my gorgeous client Deb and her husband asked for an engagement ring in which two dragonflies were supporting a center stone. What can I say? The girl likes bugs. (If you like bugs too, I encourage you to get a ring from Lisa Krikawa, who is the originator of the look and executes it way better than I do.)
The ring enjoying its life in Saipan with Deb.
Deb was trying to keep costs down so instead of using a diamond for her center stone, I cut a white sapphire to the measurements of a one-carat diamond. White sapphire is much less expensive than a diamond so Deb could get a sizable stone. It’s also the next hardest stone after diamond and can hold up to daily wear. I prefer it to more fragile semi-precious stones because, as I’ve mentioned, people are not always very nice to their jewelry. Also a lot of people don’t know about white sapphires so it’s fun to tell them about that if you like a conversation piece.
For some peculiar reason, I went for a traditional round diamond solitaire myself. I’m not exactly the traditional type, so I compensated with an eye-catching design that I’ve posted before.
I dare you to tell me that ring is boring. Seriously, I dare you, because I am dying to give someone a beatdown with that thing. People kvell over it all the time, including people who have seen — and worn — much bigger stones than my center stone. It’s the design that makes it so eye-catching.
If I had to do it all over again, I’d probably pick an oval stone.
63.93 carats might be overdoing it thoughOval would be my #1 recommendation to anyone who is turned off by a round stone. I love cushion-cut stones too. You can see the different diamond shapes here. Any stone shape can be made into a fascinating, nontraditional ring.
Feel free to contact me at wbjewelry at hotmail dot com if you want to discuss a custom engagement ring. Just keep in mind that I don’t do “surprise” rings. The woman’s going to wear it, so my rule is she’s got to be involved in the design. That way everyone is happy. Especially me, and that’s important because you don’t want to see me unhappy. All must fear the wrath of the beatdown ring.
By the way, the diamond IS the hardest naturally occurring substance but that doesn’t mean it is indestructible. If it was, we wouldn’t be able to shape it, would we? (Before lasers, diamond shapes were created by tools that used other diamonds.) Stay tuned for another diamond post in which I’ll clear up other common misconceptions.
After seeing the Beatdown Ring firsthand, I’m definitely afraid of it.
I love the sapphire dragonfly ring.
I think 63.93 carats is very understated…simple and classic!
Your ring is definitely not boring, i would hate to make you angry while you’re wearing it though
No boring engagement rings! Those are so beautiful! My favourite is the second one, more traditional and not boring at all!
beautiful rings.
I love the dragonfly rings
All gorgeous. Miss J especially loves the dragonflies. Great work, WendyB.
I’m going to start calling my junk “diamond” thanks to this info.
Also, engagement rings make me want to flee. I’m so scared of commitment, a woman asking me to buy her onion rings freaks me out.
Imelda Matt, I think an even 64 carats would be more tasteful.
Pistols, what woman would think that you could even afford to buy her onion rings? Maybe a small fry.
I LOVE the dragonfly ring!! OMG I love it.
And I got your comment about my necklace and I am SO EXCITED!!
these are all very beautiful but personally i like a classic and timeless look.
The engagement ring is beautiful, I love the concept of the two dragonflies.
Wow! How great are the dragonflies? SO GREAT. I really covet the uniqueness of these rings.
I like your site!! I invite you to take a tour on my jewelry website, and if should more information is required. http://www.or-jewellery.com
This is kind of embarrassing as a confessional, but your piece is right on time for me. My bf asked me what shape stone i would like, and I had no frieking clue! I told him I definitely did NOT want a pear shape. I like the oval…
Yeah, remember when Carrie got the gold, pear shaped ring from Aidan?
Even though he was wrong for trying to pick that out, I still hated her for being a bitch.
Your ring would make an awesome hole in someone’s forehead!
Your engagement ring is, oh, I’m not sure I can think of the right adjective, so I’ll have to go with a whole sentence. I think your engagement ring rocks like Lenny Kravitz’ “Are You Gonna Go My Way?” “American Woman” and “Fly.”
Lynette, that might be the best compliment ever!
You’re so welcome, WendyB.
And I know my Lenny Kravitz, having taken my darlin’ sons to see him in concert in Atlanta when “AYGGMW” was so very popular. We were about dozen feet from the stage, rockin’ the night away.
^^Your sons are lucky to have a rocking mama!! Woot! I still love to see the video for that song.
I hate most wedding rings but these rock! 🙂
As the wearer of an oval stone, I think 63.93 is about right. If it were mine, I would do as Isabella Gardner did and wear it on a spring attached to a headband on my head and just let it bounce around.
Mine’s an oval and I get compliments on it all the time.
Sometimes I wish I had been more creative in the design of my ring, but I’m glad I went for classic.
Mine’s an oval and I get compliments on it all the time.
Sometimes I wish I had been more creative in the design of my ring, but I’m glad I went for classic.
alot of engagement rings put me to sleep, they’re either traditional or are just the same style style sitting around for years. I still love the dragonfly ring you designed, very creative
those rings are gorgeous. i love un-boring engagment rings. you are amazingly creative miss wendyb
The dragonfly engagement ring is beautiful,personable and so memorable! I adore dragonflies on jewellery!
muah x
marian