All about jewelry news

A marriage proposal is a pivotal moment in life. At the heart of this ritual lies the engagement ring—a symbol of commitment, promise, and eternal love. Whether you choose a vintage ring, a custom-made design, or a modern piece, several criteria should guide your decision. This solitaire ring or adorned ring will forever mark this crucial stage of your romantic journey. Discover the five key questions to ask yourself to choose an engagement ring that reflects your story and symbolizes the sincerity of your feelings.

1. Can a family heirloom be used as an engagement ring?

Choosing a family ring

Offering an antique ring passed down through generations greatly enhances the symbolic value of the gesture. These vintage rings often feature precious stones such as diamonds, sapphires, or rubies, in settings like pompadour or cluster styles typical of the Art Deco era. A famous example: Princess Diana’s iconic engagement ring, with a Ceylon sapphire surrounded by diamonds, later given to Kate Middleton by Prince William.

This approach has many advantages: it honors family memory, offers a one-of-a-kind piece full of history, and often allows for acquiring a higher-quality ring at a lower cost. Professional restoration (careful polishing, resizing, setting check) will restore the heirloom's original brilliance.

Repurposing an old gemstone

If the original ring is too damaged, outdated, or not to your liking, it’s entirely possible to reuse the gemstone in a custom-made engagement ring. This respectful approach preserves the soul of the family jewel while adapting it to contemporary tastes. Choose a modern setting in yellow, white, or rose gold, platinum, or silver to suit your aesthetic preferences and budget. It’s a graceful way to keep family heritage alive in a modern design, bridging generations.

2. How do you create a custom engagement ring?

Working with an experienced Parisian jeweler allows you to design a truly unique piece, a reflection of your one-of-a-kind love. This artisanal process involves two key stages requiring thought and expertise:

Selecting the gemstone

The choice of the central stone is the soul of your engagement ring. A solitaire diamond remains the most popular option for its crystal clarity, exceptional brilliance, and eternal symbolism. Its unmatched hardness (10 on the Mohs scale) ensures excellent resistance to daily wear.

Sapphire, a royal gem, symbolizes loyalty and wisdom. It comes in a wide range of colors: deep Kashmiri blue, soft Padparadscha pink, or sunny Ceylon yellow. Ruby, bold and passionate, embodies romantic fire and vitality, while emerald, with its deep and mysterious green, offers a rare originality and evokes fertility and hope for the couple’s future.

Designing the setting

Classic or boldly modern, the setting reflects your personal style and sense of elegance. Asymmetric, two-tone settings or pavé bands are popular with modern couples. Prong, bezel, or bead settings offer different looks for presenting the central stone. The key is to design a ring that will remain timeless, a faithful and lasting symbol of your exceptional union.

3. What budget should you plan for an engagement ring?

In France, the average budget for an engagement ring is around €1,000, though it can vary significantly depending on the stone, setting complexity, designer reputation, and chosen vendor. This amount might seem high but fits within a long-term emotional and heritage investment logic.

Key factors to consider include:

• Your current financial means (regular income, savings, budget priorities)

• The deep symbolism of the piece (tangible proof of love, promise of a lasting bond)

• The emotional impact (a unique jewel to pass on to your children)

• The desired "wow" effect during the proposal and with the families

A quality engagement ring can also be a smart financial investment, especially if it features a gemstone certified by a recognized gemological lab or bears the mark of a prestigious jewelry house. Diamonds certified by GIA or Gübelin, for instance, hold their market value very well.

4. Should you choose the ring together or make it a surprise?

Two opposing philosophies shape the engagement ring decision:

The traditional romantic surprise

One partner selects the ring alone and plans the proposal on bended knee, staying true to age-old tradition. This approach emphasizes surprise, raw emotion, and theatrical flair. It requires excellent knowledge of your partner’s tastes and carries a risk if the choice doesn’t meet expectations.

The modern shared decision

The couple chooses the ideal ring together, turning this step into a moment of bonding and shared discovery. This modern approach greatly reduces the risk of aesthetic mismatch and allows budget optimization based on real preferences. However, it may lessen the surprise element of the formal proposal.

There’s no universal right or wrong—only the approach that best fits your couple’s personality and vision of romance.

If you’re searching for the perfect engagement ring, don’t hesitate to discover what Les Pierres de Julie offers in-store…

Whether you’re interested in purchasing a jewel or a stone, getting a free appraisal, or selling your pieces, Pierres de Julie welcomes you in their boutique nestled in the heart of Paris, at Village Suisse, just steps from the École Militaire and the Esplanade des Invalides.