Your Guide to Non Traditional Bridal Rings
So, you've decided to get engaged...congratulations!
If you are struggling with where to begin, good news, you aren't alone. Most engagement ring shoppers have never really purchased jewelry before, which is why we've put together this informational introduction to explore the different options. The key thing to remember is that there is no right or wrong way to go about engagement ring shopping. You don't have to spend 3 months salary, or purchase the largest clearest stone that your budget allows, or even purchase a ring at all! If you do want to purchase a ring, we can help guide you to the option that works best for you.
CHOOSING A STONE
Our ethos is centered around honoring our raw materials, so it's no surprise that our rings are centered around the stone. This is the easiest place to start when thinking about a potential engagement ring.
WHAT OPTIONS ARE THERE?
We use diamonds most prominently in our bridal collection, because they are the hardest gemstones (a 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, google can provide more context for this scale) and will resist scratching and chips the best over time. That said, there are plenty of non-diamond options we also work with. We are also now working with a domestic source for fine lab grown diamonds, so please contact us if this interests you!
Sapphires, rubies, and emeralds are all strong enough to withstand daily wear and tear, as are topaz and aquamarine, which covers a lot of the stones on the birthstone spectrum. It's best to steer clear of softer, more sensitive stones like opal, pearl, or turquoise, unless the ring won't be worn every day or you plan to upgrade to a different ring within a few years.
Montana sapphires have the benefit of being a domestically sourced stone, therefore it is a top choice for couples who want to bypass the diamond industry entirely. Sapphires also have the good fortune of coming in every color imaginable, including colorless, which means the options are limitless!
Sapphires, rubies, and emeralds are all strong enough to withstand daily wear and tear, as are topaz and aquamarine, which covers a lot of the stones on the birthstone spectrum. It's best to steer clear of softer, more sensitive stones like opal, pearl, or turquoise, unless the ring won't be worn every day or you plan to upgrade to a different ring within a few years.
Montana sapphires have the benefit of being a domestically sourced stone, therefore it is a top choice for couples who want to bypass the diamond industry entirely. Sapphires also have the good fortune of coming in every color imaginable, including colorless, which means the options are limitless!
A few of our favorite loose stones
Although most engagement rings have a cut solitaire, we also offer raw uncut stones that are used in the shape they came out of the ground in. A rose cut stone will provide a high degree of sparkle, but with a lower profile than a traditional brilliant cut. We offer many shapes of rosecut stones, from round, to pear to scalene triangles.
SETTING AND BAND
Our bridal rings are customizable, and we offer 18 karat yellow, rose, and white gold options for the setting. Bezel settings will encase the stone in metal, while a prong setting delicately holds the stone in place. Interested in a multistone ring? Yep, we do that too!
The band is one of the final decisions to make. We design most rings with a 1mm or 1.5mm width band, but if you fancy a thick cigar band, we can make it happen.
A custom triple stone engagement ring stacked with wedding bands
FUN EXTRAS
Keep in mind that we're able to add on features to the ring, such as flush setting diamonds into the band, doing a matte or brushed finish on the metal, or adding a halo around the stone. Because our rings are made to order, it gives you a multitude of potential options, so no request is too wild - hit us with all your questions and we will assist you!
Questions? Just getting started? contact us at customercare@mjmmetal.com