The Worst Engagement Ring Styles to Avoid

With so many exquisite engagement ring styles to be found, future brides have more choice than ever when it comes to finding a dream ring. That can sometimes lead to ring decisions that are less-than-flawless, however. Although the most important thing of all is to find a ring that you truly love, there are a few styles that are not practical. The problem with choosing an engagement ring that features a soft stone, impractical setting or a colour that you likely will not love as much by your first anniversary is that you will end up not loving your ring as much as you should.

To make sure that you stay in love with your ring year in and year out, look out for these styles to avoid.

Stay Clear of These Engagement Ring Styles

Some of the worst engagement ring styles to avoid include the following:

Pearl rings.

As lovely as pearls are, they do not make the best stone for rings – especially not for a ring that is meant to be worn every single day. Pearls have a very low Mohs hardness rating, which makes them prone to scratches and chips. They can also lose their shine very easily. Add to that the fact that they are hard to maintain, and you have a ring that will require a lot of effort and care.

Opal rings.

Another soft stone is opal. These stones are popular. With their unusual colour, it is not surprising. For rings, they do not make good stones at all. Like pearls, they are also prone to chips, scratches and surface damage. They also lose their shine very easily, which means that you will need to either not wear it daily or take it for endless maintenance and re-shining sessions to keep it looking as good as new.

Amber rings.

Yet another terrible choice for rings is amber. Although not as popular as opal and pearl, amber has gained a following over the years. Many believe that this stone has healing properties. Although it can work in some jewellery, it is not ideal in a ring that you will wear every single day of your life. The colour of amber is also variable and when the surface is dull, the colour appears dull as well.

Giant rings.

Large, over the top rings might seem like every bride-to-be's dream. In reality, very large rings are not only tacky; they are also far more likely to get in the way. Large rings are also more likely to catch on anything and everything, making them more prone to damage. If the ring has prong settings, there is more chance of getting stuck on fabrics and even loosening the centre stone.

Trendy rings.

Finally, stay clear of rings that are trendy for just a moment in time. That bright pink diamond ring may seem like a good idea now, but you may not love it as much in a year. Likewise, stay clear of Disney style rings, red or other coloured metals, strange designs that come and go with each season, and anything else that you would not feel the same way about in a few years.

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Looking for Genuine Engagement Ring Advice?

Getting accurate engagement ring advice is not always as simple as it sounds. Whether you are planning to pop the question or you are trying to find ideas for your own ring, it is natural to get input from friends, family and other people when making the decision. Some may know instantly what they want – most need a bit of time to think. This is, after all, a ring that will be worn forever. As such, it makes sense that you would want to make an informed decision.

In this short guide, we share some tips on who best to NOT ask for advice when planning an engagement ring, and who to rather ask instead.

Engagement Ring Advice Sources to Always Ignore

No matter how well-meaning these sources may be, it is never a good idea to take engagement ring advice from any of the following:

Moms or any other relative.

The exception to this rule is, of course, any relative who truly knows your style. If you are proposing to your love and asking for advice from family, it is best to speak to the relative that is closest in age or the relative who frequently goes shopping with your love has brought her jewellery before or has a very current idea of the type of jewellery she wears. Asking moms, grannies or aunts who may not have an accurate idea may end up in suggestions that are outdated or based on the relative's own preferences. Moms may want you to consider the family heirloom ring that is in storage or tell you plenty of stories about what she loved when she got married.

Salespeople looking to close the deal.

This sounds a bit obvious, but it can be easy to get a bit overwhelmed if you step into a ring shop. Whether you are looking at rings for someone or yourself, the sheer volume of choices can make the process more than a little flustering. Often, salespeople will make the experience even more confusing by offering suggestions that may not be right at all. They may draw your attention to pricier rings or tell you about certain rings that are popular with customers. They may also pressure you into making a decision without giving you time to think things through. Finding a good jeweller online can often take away a great deal of this stress, helping you find time to think and weigh up your options.

Friends who do not know your style.

Asking a best friend or close family member is often a far better option. Asking friends who do not really know your style or your future bride's style can be risky. If you ask more than one person, you are likely to get many different answers. Most people tend to give advice based on what they themselves would do or wear. Although this can be great for finding ideas, it is not always the most helpful. When you are getting input to help you pop the question, it is even less helpful. Someone who genuinely knows you would be able to tell you what suits you, what you would wear often, and what would be just as stunning in a decade as it is today.

On our blog, we work hard to find and share a wide range of tips and tricks to help make the shopping process that much easier. Be sure to follow us to get objective, no-frills engagement ring advice, every time.

Before You Get That Colourful Engagement Ring…

Whether you are dreaming of a bright, bold engagement ring with a coloured diamond or you are aiming to surprise your love with a colourful precious stone that you are sure she will love, colourful rings are not always as simple as they seem initially. The trouble with this type of ring lies in the very thing that makes it so special – its bold colour.

While a vivid red and black ring works well now, while you love the colour combination, it may not appeal to you as much in five years, let alone a decade or two down the line. That's not to say that there is no place for colour in engagement rings, however. It simply means being aware of what this type of ring entails so that you can make an informed decision.

What to Know About Colourful Engagement Rings

Some things to consider when it comes to colourful engagement rings include the following:

The colours themselves.

If you are going to add colour, don't choose a colour that you have only started liking recently. Don't look at trends, either. Instead, think about the colours that you have always loved. Think about the colours that you wear frequently (and have worn over a long time frame). Think about colours that go with other colours as well as neutrals, without any risk of major clashes. Even think about your skin tone, eye colour and hair colour and how the colour looks against your skin. If the colour does not work well, you may start to find it less charming as time passes.

The style of the ring.

If you have a simple solitaire style, you could replace the stone or revamp the ring in a few years if you find yourself feeling less enamoured of the colour. If the ring design is more complex, it may not be as simple to make adjustments. Complex ring designs may end up being ruined if any stones are moved or replaced, while simple cuts and designs should allow small changes within reason. That's not to say that you should aim to make changes, of course. If it comes to that, you should be able to have the option, however.

The type of stone.

Another thing to consider is whether you will go for a coloured diamond or a colourful precious stone. If you choose the former, you will be able to ensure a high rating on the Moh's hardness scale – in fact, the very highest rating possible. If you opt for another colourful stone, you will need to do some homework to ensure that the stone you choose has a decent hardness ratio. That will help to prevent scratches, chips and other damage to the stone over time.

If you are looking for beautifully made custom diamond rings in any colour, we are here to help. Contact us with any engagement ring queries and we will do our best to assist however we can.