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When Mr. S and I started talking about getting engaged, he made it clear that he had no idea about engagement rings, and he’d want my input on the one he bought for me. That was perfectly cool with me. I didn’t need the element of surprise; I’d rather choose my ring myself - that way, I’d love it!
I didn’t really have any idea about what I wanted, but I did have an idea of what I didn’t want:
That was it. I didn’t have my heart set on a diamond—another gemstone would’ve been fine. And I wanted a white metal.
Armed with these limited opinions, I started researching online.
First stop: Etsy. Here were a few of my early contenders:
This sapphire ring was modern, simple, and lovely, but I wanted something a bit more unique.
This amethyst ring was amazing, but a bit too big for my skinny fingers.
This ring was lovely, but I was worried that it wasn’t timeless enough. I didn’t want it to be out of style in a few years.
Next, I checked out some vintage rings. I loved the idea of a ring with a history.
They were gorgeous and unique, but more money than I felt comfortable having Mr. S spend.
I started to get frustrated. Would we ever find the right ring for me?
And then, one day, a few weeks after I began my search, Mr. S and I were taking a stroll through downtown Philadelphia when we passed by a secondhand jewelry store. I saw a beautiful ring in the window, so we stepped inside.
You guys, it was perfect. Delicate, vintage, unique but not “out there.” And totally affordable!
Personal Photo
Less than 20 minutes later, we walked out of the store, the ring in Mr. S’s pocket. I’m an indecisive woman and often change my mind about clothes, shoes and the like. But I’ve never wavered about this ring for a second!
Did you help your fiance pick out your engagement ring?
Miss Sloth (still have a hard time calling you that 
hehe) I love your ring! I would assume that you have already chosen a band, but I don’t recall seeing anything about it! Can’t wait to find out!
My husband had been probing me for years without me knowing. Every Christmas he would ask me about stones I liked, shape, he knew I was a white gold fan, even had asked my ring size years ago.. Those boys can be tricky when they want to!
I helped my husband pick out my ring. He wasn’t sure what I liked and wanted to get something he knew I’d wear, especially since my SIL, his brother’s wife never wears hers.
All your the ones you considered are beautiful, but the one you got is by far the best. It’s lovely
Well, I don’t have my official engagement ring, so I’ve been looking and the first ring is one I’ve been ohing and ahing over. However, your actual ring is gorgeous.
I did some shopping with my fiance before the engagement so that he would get a good idea of what I wanted…I didn’t want something too big or too small, but i wanted a classic design with a nice setting. I did find one I absolutely loved so he took note of it and he had my sister spy on my ring size one day while shopping at the mall. It is a very good idea to let your fiance know what you like and don’t like because you’ll end up getting something that’s not your style. This is something you’ll wear for a very long time (possibly the rest of your life) so choose wisely!
your ring is so beautiful, I’ve never seen one like it. Love it!
i love that etsy shop and have definitely sent the man many an link to various rings from there.. hopefully i get one!
That is a beautiful ring! I showed Mr. E some pics of rings so he would have an idea of the type of stone I wanted, he took it from there.
LOVE your choice. It’s perfect.
We picked out my engagement ring together
Great post! My ring looks just like the first one! Now we’re on the hunt for the bands– what secondhand jewelry store did you find your ring in?
How beautiful! I wouldn’t have been able to decide if Mr. M. had let me pick out my own. I would have been like ‘yes please one of each’. LOL
Love your ring! It’s definitely timeless and elegant, but it has a cool vintage flair to it!
I told my fiance what I wanted, and showed him a picture (looks exactly like the first ring in your post - round bezel set). But I had no idea when he started looking. He picked out 2 rings, then enlisted the help of my best friend for the final decision. Thank goodness she helped, apparently he was looking at SUPER glitzy rings before she got involved… (so not me). But she brought him back to reality and he picked out a gorgeous 1/2 caret round diamond bezel set in white gold. I love it!
Thanks for the kind words, everyone!
I only wish that I had a decent photo of the ring. It took me several attempts just to get that crappy one I posted, and it doesn’t do the ring justice whatsoever.
@Nina B.: It’s terrible, but I can’t remember for the life of me what store it was. It’s down by Jeweler’s Row, but for all my Google searching, I can’t find it. Next time I’m in that neighborhood, I’ll walk by and get the name.
I really didn’t want to go shopping with my fiance but I wanted to give him an idea of what I wanted as I feared that if I sent him on his own and didn’t like what he got, I wouldn’t know how to tell him. So, instead, a very good friend took me shopping. This was helpful b/c what I thought I wanted isn’t what I ended up falling in love with. She then talked with him to tell him what I wanted and the rest is wonderfu,l awesome, beautiful history.
My FI and I went out ring shopping together and as he tells the story, he knew it was the ring before I knew it was the ring. I was looking for something vintage looking with what I call “scrollys” on it (cut out designs on the band). When I put the ring on I thought it was beautiful but wasn’t 100% sure about it until I stepped out of the store and started thinking about it more. He on the otherhand says that he could tell as soon as the ring was on my finger that my face lit up and so he decided in his mind, even if I didn’t say anything, that that ring was the ring. So, I have to say, he has pretty good taste
Before he proposed, my FI said that he started looking online and got SO overwhelmed by all the options and wanted to make sure I loved my ring.. so he proposed and we went to the jewelry store together to pick out a ring we both liked a few days later
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Ms. Sloth, Philadelphia Age and Occupation: 35, Account Manager and Fashion Blogger Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Design Admin Engagement Date: December 25, 2009 Wedding Date: May 2011 Venue: Bartram's Garden About Me: I'm an internet junkie and music snob with a good eye for a bargain. I couldn't live without thrift store shopping, cheeseburgers, sushi, Coke Zero, websites devoted to silly photos of baby animals, Photoshop, and Mr. Sloth. Speaking of which, he and I are a pair of goofball homebody nerds who love our beagle (the most ridiculously adorable dog EVER) to an embarrassing degree. We're planning a low-key and intimate yet festive and quirky outdoor wedding with DIY details and deeply personal touches, and it's all taking place in the city where we fell in love and call home: Philadelphia.
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