Weddingbee Blog

I was a little surprised to find that Mr. PD had designed a ring himself. I always knew he would take great care in picking out a ring—he devotes a lot of thought to all major decisions. But he’s not exactly the “design” type, nor is he “artsy.” Turns out—you don’t need to be.

Like many women, the first ring that ever really stunned me was Lady Legacy:

(source)

To be totally honest, I had no expectation of finding a ring I liked at Tiffany. In fact, I was only in-store to pick up a necklace that my brother had purchased for his girlfriend. I had always found their diamond-ring selection to be stark and modern, and that’s not really my style. But this ring? This ring was like nothing I’d ever seen, with that halo-setting/cushion-cut combo. One of the employees saw my eyes linger on it and asked if I wanted to try it on. I declined. I was 21, about to start my senior year of college, and I had requested that Mr. PD not propose until after I was graduated and settled into a career. What can I say? I’m bossy.

I did try it on, though, after I graduated. I was disappointed to find that the sides were uncomfortable on my hand. I would describe them as “too high,” but I’m not sure if that makes sense. I Googled other, similar rings, but there were none that I was smitten with. I began to wonder if I was a diamond kinda gal at all.

Um. I am.

It turns out that, in his Internet search for a ring, Mr. PD had become quite taken with split-shank rings. He wanted a mouthful of a ring—a split-shank, cushion-cut diamond in a pave, halo setting—and he couldn’t find it.

On the recommendation of a coworker, he got in touch with Herzog Jewelers. Armed with pictures of rings that embodied the features that he liked, he sat down with a jeweler. Several drafts and a last-minute edit later, and they had created this:

(Obviously, I am a prodigy of both photographic arts and nail care. Eat your heart out, Leibovitz.)

Even though it’s my style, my fiance’s style is in there, too. The setting is symmetrical from every angle, which appeals to his scientific sensibilities. I love that I see us both in a little piece of jewelry. And I especially love that no one else on the planet has this exact ring.

So there you have it: a case for designing a ring. Mr. PD says the experience was a lot less intimidating than he expected. In fact, we have plans to head back there for our wedding bands! But more on that later.

Did your fiance design the ring himself?