Engagement Rings

You just got engaged and once the butterflies wear off, you have a number of fun things to check off your to-do list. Between telling your loved ones the big news, jewelry education, and planning the big day, it can be hard to decide where to start. Our engagement experts at Rogers & Hollands and Ashcroft & Oak are here to help break down some important post-proposal tasks and help you start your journey!

Tell your family and friends with a phone call or a visit, maybe even a party.

An engagement party can be a great way to share the news with everyone. Celebrate with great food and drinks, and of course, show off your new jewels. Be sure to call all of your close loved

Everyone should feel like royalty on their wedding day and looking to the royal family for ring inspiration is a no-brainer. Their fashion and etiquette are rooted in regal tradition. Colored stones and vintage settings are often seen on the hands of royal women, but elegance and luxury don’t have to come at a royal price. At Rogers & Hollands and Ashcroft & Oak, you can find your royal dream ring and feel like Princess Diana on your wedding day, and every day.

Princess Diana of Wales iconically wore a blinding sapphire engagement ring, but that wasn’t the only blue stone in her collection. Princess Diana famously switched out her engagement ring for an emerald-cut aquamarine ring with white diamonds and set in 24-karat gold in the late 90s. Today, that same aquamarine ring can be seen on the hand of Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex. Here are two of our favorite look-alikes:

Looking for unique engagement ring ideas? From alternative to vintage, find the most popular engagement rings on Pinterest and choose your favorite.

Pinterest is the best place to get outfit inspo, nail art ideas, and of course, to plan your dream wedding! If you are using the app, chances are you have more than a few boards filled with dreamy ideas and all the things you’d love to have. 

Have some fun exploring and saving all your favorite engagement rings from our Pinterest boards here, or, take a look at our countdown of the top 8 most popular engagement rings on Pinterest in the list below:

#8:

Purchasing an engagement ring is likely one of the most important purchases you will make. An engagement ring is a symbol of your love and commitment; it’s the promise of a loving and beautiful future for you and your partner. But the process of purchasing an engagement ring shouldn’t be stressful! While it’s definitely an investment, it’s still an incredibly exciting step!

Whether you’re a by-the-books pragmatist or a die-hard romantic, an engagement ring purchase will take you out of your comfort zone.

We’ve put together a list of things to know when buying an engagement ring, so you can make sure you’re informed and ask all of the right questions throughout the process. Keep reading for a list of the top 6 engagement ring questions you should be asking and considering before you pop the question! Check these six practical considerations off your list

Summer is officially in full swing. While there is nothing better than soaking up the sun, hitting the lake or the pool and spending time at night under the stars by the campfire, there are tons of activities that happen during the summer that put your diamond wedding band or diamond engagement ring at risk.

Let’s face it; jewelry care probably won’t be top of mind during your fun in the sun. While the summer is (hopefully!) your chance to relax, you might have a bit of anxiety about when to take off your engagement ring, and may even have some more specific questions, like, can I shower with my engagement ring? Can I wash my hands with my engagement ring? Can I wear my engagement ring to the beach? 

So, when

There is a long history of desire for simplicity among artists, designers and musicians, summed up by Leonardo da Vinci stating “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” The simple approach to engagement rings is perfect for the couple who appreciates subtle elegance, the fiscally prudent traditional couple, and for those minimalist brides who desire understated, less flashy symbols of matrimony. Engagement rings can be visually impactful at all levels of extravagance. Metal color, diamonds or gemstones, and design all play a part in creating these stunning yet minimalist engagement rings.

These small and simple engagement rings still sparkle and shine for a subtle and gorgeous effect. Check out our three hand-picked favorites:

For those of you who are genuinely curious about fashion and jewelry trends through the decades, and for any history buffs out there, we’re here to enlighten you on the hottest engagement ring trends by decade. Understandably, engagement ring trends follow the fashion trends of the decade, so blast back into the past for some serious vintage vibes, and learn about the engagement ring styles that were popular in 1910 all the way to 2020 and beyond! 

Engagement Ring Styles by Decade

Engagement rings are very similar to the ring finger they are worn on, they get dirty, and this dirt can come from a variety of sources. Dirt and sediment from daily wear can build up in the crevices of the ring, specifically where the stone meets the metal. Dust can accumulate from storing your engagement ring or other jewelry out in the open, when you take it off to sleep or to exercise.

There are also several liquid elements which can eliminate the sparkle and shine of your engagement ring. Soap scum from washing your hands or doing the dishes is very common, and will easily dull the sparkle of even the highest quality diamond. The oils from lotions and even our natural skin oils can smudge and tarnish stones and metals of an engagement ring. Aside from the vanity aspect of a freshly cleaned diamond ring, the cleaning process is key in observing any flaws or potential structural issues

It is no surprise that in virtually all eras from the Georgian to the modern, the ring design that continues to remain popular for couples all over the world is the floral engagement ring. Floral-inspired diamond engagement rings are typically found in many different diamond shapes and sizes so there are plenty of options if a floral engagement ring is on your mind!

The ring to the left features a beautiful scalloped diamond halo creating this floral design, all diamonds are set in smooth 14 karat white gold.

Pre-engagement rings are seeing a rise in popularity, with the non-traditional matrimonial norms over taking the traditional. 

The concept of pre-engagement rings is nothing new in our society, and this idea has been traced all the way back to 15th century England. In that era these posy rings, as they were called, were engraved with romantic poetry, and adorned with gemstones. 

See this beautiful Diamond Cluster Heart Shape Pre-Engagement Ring to the right in 10K Rose Gold > 

As the "posy ring" faded in popularity, the acrostic ring (a poem, word puzzle, or other composition in which certain letters in each line form a word or words) was the pre-engagement ring of desire for the Georgian and Victorian era. These rings would feature an array of gemstones that would spell out a “secret” message between the giver and recipient. For example, “Adore” would be spelled with the stones Amethyst - Diamond - Opal - Ruby - Emerald. Now, that’s a trend worth making a comeback. The white & rose gold diamond pre-engagement ring shown here features 1/4 carat total weight brilliant-cut white diamonds.

THE PROMISE RING

The promise ring would appear in the more recent past, the 1970s. High school boys gave a ring as a sign of “going steady.”  While the names and historic significance are different, the meaning is the same. Pre-engagement rings are just what they are, a promise to marry, eventually. Whether due to financial circumstances, or merely one’s desire to take things slow in the relationship, the pre-engagement ring is a gesture of commitment.

PRE-ENGAGEMENT RING OR A PROMISE RING?

Pre-engagement rings and promise rings are similar in the sense of the representation of commitment, but they differ in how they are worn. Since pre-engagement rings are a placeholder for the soon-to-follow engagement ring, they can be worn on the recipient’s left ring finger. Promise rings are generally worn on any of the other fingers, but that one.  Typically, to avoid confusion, the promise ring is worn on the right ring finger.

Is a pre-engagement ring or promise ring right for you? That is the underlying question. Marriage is not for every