*Carly Ostroff was planning her wedding for August 16, 2020. While COVID-19 might have other plans, she’s staying cautiously optimistic. Carly is starting to think of back-up plans, so you can watch this space for more details.
In my mind, my proposal was going to be like one of those romantic comedies. You know the kind where the guy and girl go out to a nice dinner and get some fancy dessert. Then, when she takes the first bite, she almost chokes on a ring hidden inside (I swear it’s romantic). Before she can recover, he’s on one knee.
In reality, finding my engagement ring was nothing like a movie. We didn’t go for a nice dinner and there was no need for the Heimlich maneuver. Instead, it started when my boyfriend said, “I wouldn’t buy a ring without knowing you love it.” He said he didn’t want to spend a ton of money on something I wasn’t crazy about. The truth is that while I never thought I would be the one to pick my ring, I’m so happy I did.
When it came time to begin the selection process, I had no clue where to start. Luckily, I knew who to call. One of my BFFs happens to be a gemologist. I work in fashion and I’m admittedly picky, and her eye is next-level. Together, we were likely every diamond dealer’s worst nightmare.
We looked at vintage rings first. It’s a great starting point because the rings are already designed and you can try on tons of styles to figure out what looks best on your hand. What I discovered was Instagram inspo is one thing, and real life is quite another. Trying on vintage rings, I found that elongated styles didn’t look as good on my finger. Goodbye emerald, oval and marquise cuts!
Next, we started talking to diamond dealers. It’s here I really learned about the four Cs: cut, clarity, colour and carat. Basically, you have to try to balance what’s most important, because unless you’re getting a completely flawless diamond, you can’t have it all. The lab reports are important guidelines, but you really have to look at the stone itself. One with a higher clarity can have more black inclusions than one with lower. Most jewellers say J is where you start to see colour, but sometimes you can find one that’s nearly colourless.
Now, remember when I said I was picky? It took me about four months to find ‘the one.’ In the end, I chose a solitaire diamond set on a thin band with four prongs. It was a lot of time and effort, but ultimately, I think it was worth it. It’s exactly what I always imagined.
Get our Newsletter
Stay up-to-date with wedding trends, deals and offers.
The Latest
See MoreEditors Picks