Wedding Blog
Note: I’ve added larger pictures to my bolero post from yesterday.
When the time came for ring shopping, Mr. Taffy really wanted to find a conflict free diamond, so he went to Austin & Warburton in Ann Arbor. He chose a beautiful conflict free brilliant cut stone, and wanted to design the rest of the ring, but wasn’t quite sure what to do about the setting. He also didn’t know my ring size (I don’t wear a lot of jewelry). The jeweler recommended that he tie a string around my finger while I was sleeping, then bring the string into the store for measurement. Mr. Taffy was not about to try such a stunt, thank goodness… I can only imagine him trying to tie a string around my finger in the middle of the night. I talk in my sleep and probably would have scared the wits out of him!
Shortly after, I became involved in the ring process. 
I always thought that I wanted one brilliant cut stone on a thin band, end of story. My wonderful friend and bridesmaid Miss K urged me to go to the jeweler with Mr. T, even if I thought that I knew what I wanted. She told me to try on the bands so they could model my ring after the ones that I found to be comfortable, and to see what the different setting heights looked like on my actual hand. I am so glad that she talked me into this- I love my ring, it is super comfortable, and the setting height is perfect!
I love vintage costume jewelry and wanted the ring to have that feel. I showed Mr. T how much I liked little round stones, and love how the prong makes them appear to be kind of pointy. He came up with this design! I really love it. The band becomes very thin at the top because it turns into the prong for the middle tiny round stone. Here’s another view:
I highly recommend Austin & Warburton. They did an amazing job, and we had the ring about 10 days after Mr. Taffy gave them a sketch - crazy quick timing for a custom ring! We are definitely going back for our wedding bands.
Did you try on rings before you chose an engagement ring?
|
Share this post: The Story of the Ring
Wow — cool setting. I’m curious, is the center stone HUGE or is the band very thin? In that photo it looks like it’s 12 cts
What a gorgeous ring!
ooh i like that setting. i’ll have to remember it [along with all the others] when it’s my turn.
your ring is so lovely.
Very cool setting! Yes, I did try on rings before I chose a ring. The ring that I went with was the third I tried on, and once I did I didn’t want to see anymore!
Oh. My. God. That is just stunning. I never thought I’d see a ring I like better than my own, but man, this comes close. I’m also a HUGE believer of trying on rings before popping the Q. I tried on a TON and finally found 1 that I loved. Even though I pretty much knew what I was getting, it was still a surprise and just as meaningful.
Again, beautiful ring 
I love your ring, I haven’t anything w/ the stone around the outside like that, very pretty
I went w/ FH to look at and try on rings so he (and I) could get an idea of what we liked and I am SO happy I did b/c the type of ring I thought I wanted ended up looking really cheap in person and the lady helping us suggested something I fell in love with
My FI insisted that I try on rings so he knew exactly what I wanted… and boy, am I glad he made me. I thought I wanted a round solitare on a simple band. After I tried on about 60 different rings (that might be a small exaggeration), I realized that was about the opposite of what I wanted. I ended up wanting a cushion cut, pave set with a split band… but we just couldn’t find the right setting. He ended up taking all the different aspects I liked of the rings I tried on and had it custom made. It truely is perfect in my eyes! I still admire it several time a day (and I have had it for almost 9 months now)!
It’s really beautiful — and you’re right about the round side stones, which give it a very unique and unconventional shape. Love it! And love the fact that you added bigger pictures. For ME!!!
MILLIONS! But, with my girlfriends. We also tried on wedding dresses before we all got engaged. Losers! JK. I love vintage rings! Yours is so beautiful!
i did try on rings and i’m so glad i did it. i had no clue what i liked until then.. .not sure how he was ever supposed to figure it out.
and why didn’t your jeweler ask Mr Taffy your show size? that’s the oldest trick… your ring size is usually 2 smaller than your shoe (give or take a 1/2) for example: i wear 7 1/2 shoes, i am a 5 in rings
neat, huh?
Definitely a little vintage and a little modern all wrapped up into one. Love the conflict free diamond!
That’s a really beautiful ring, setting and stone. Mr. Taffy did a great job. The vintage look won’t ever go out of style either!
@notsojenny: That’s so funny, I have never heard of that trick! I either have big feet or tiny fingers, my ring size is 4, and shoe size is 8!
I just LOL’d… your post is about a conflict-free diamond and I had to scroll past an ad from De Beers! Beautiful ring, Taffy!
The first ring I ever tried on, we ended up getting. It was a perfect fit - it only needed to be taken down 1/4 size.
Of course, at first I didn’t want to buy the first ring that I tried on, so I did some internet browsing and drove myself crazy looking at all my options.
But of course we came back to the one. It was perfect - an antique ring from the 1920’s, and it was everything I wanted. Now it’s happily on my finger!
| Visit our sister sites | Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Fertile Thoughts Infertility Support |
Mrs. Taffy, Ann Arbor
Age and Occupation: 28, Color and Materials Designer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Automotive Designer
Engagement Date: May 9, 2008
Wedding Date: May 2009
Blogging Since: September 14, 2008
Venue: University of Michigan Union
About Me: I’m a girl who is crazy about Mr. Taffy, sewing, dancing, almost all types of sweets, and our cute pet canaries. I dislike touching fuzzy fabric of any kind, eating somewhat squishy food, and Michigan winters. Mr. Taffy and I are having a blast planning our Ann Arbor wedding, and cannot wait to share our day with friends and family.
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 | 30 |
Latest Gallery Pics