He asked, you said yes and your gorgeous engagement ring is on your finger. You are absolutely in love with your ring… until you see a ring on Instagram that instantly brings on a flash of envy. Ring envy is something that every bride-to-be has at some stage. It is completely normal and nothing to worry about… unless you end up with major regrets and wish your ring was bigger, smaller, a different cut, a different style or a different metal. Getting inspiration from multiple sources is great before you decide on your engagement ring. Even then, you may end up with a tiny bit of envy. After all, with so many ring styles out there, you are bound to see many you love, even if you love yours, too.
Dealing with Engagement Ring Envy
How do you deal with engagement ring envy, then? Here are a few things that will help.
Know where it’s coming from.
It could be a simple case of seeing a ring style you hadn’t considered when planning your dream ring. This is the most common type of ring envy. In all honesty, you are going to see many, many styles for the rest of your married life. Styles change all the time and new designs emerge often. In this case, you may decide to update your ring at a later stage – adding new stones, replacing the metal band, or swapping the diamond for something bigger. In other cases, ring envy is a little more complex. It can be rooted in insecurity. You may feel resentment, a sense of failure, doubt, or even anxiety. This can ruin your engagement, as you are constantly comparing your ring to others and stressing about yours being good enough.
Remember why you love your ring.
Think about that feeling you got when your ring was first slipped onto your finger. You may have had it custom-made or your partner could have proposed with an heirloom ring that he knew you would treasure. Many rings are symbolic of your relationship and your journey together as a couple. Others feature personal elements – a birthstone, for example. There’s a good reason you fell in love with that ring from the moment you saw it and it is essential to remember that reason. It’s fine to admire other rings you see (yes, even with a touch of envy). Your ring is unique and special because it is yours and not someone else’s. If you had to rush out and change your ring every time you saw one you loved, you would never be happy with your ring.
Ignore the one-ups and celebrity proposals.
Let’s face it – you’re not the only one who has ring envy. You may find that friends make you feel insecure with their envy. It’s not unusual for brides to get a bit competitive. Everyone wants that perfect engagement, complete with perfect photos and the perfect ring. If you share your big moment on social media, there may be a few newly engaged people who feel jealous about your ring. They may make comments that brag about their own ring being bigger. Then you get those who see your ring, get engaged and do the one-up thing, boasting about their engagement in a way that makes yours feel underwhelming. Celebrity proposals add even more to the mix. The pressure to have the biggest ring, with a fairytale-worthy proposal is huge. Try to ignore all of this and get back to what matters… your love story.
Another way to deal with ring envy is to keep your ring classic and elegant. Ring trends may come and go but a beautiful, timeless ring will never date. If you’re looking for your perfect custom ring, we are here to help. Contact Cape Diamonds to find your dream engagement ring now.