Engagement Ring Etiquette & Five Things Couples Must Know!

Engagement ring etiquette can be a minefield of potential pitfalls and points of contention every couple will want to avoid. While there are countless traditions and customary ‘rules of engagement,’ this process should be carried out in a completely comfortable way for both the bride and the groom. With this in mind, you should decide which traditions and customs you will choose to follow and which you will ignore.

Here are five of the most common socially accepted protocols in place when it comes to engagement rings.

Engagement Ring Etiquette – Cost Consideration

One of the most talked-about points of contention surrounding engagement rings is how much should be spent. A common myth is that you should spend one to three months of your monthly wage on a ring. However, the more sensible thing to do is to spend what you can afford.

This myth of spending up to three months’ worth of your salary on an engagement ring is believed to have been started by a clever advertising campaign by diamond brand De Beer’s in the 1930s.

An individual’s budget for an engagement ring is a totally personal decision. The money you set aside for an engagement ring should be financially manageable without creating financial hardship and stress. The sentiment behind a $500 ring will be the same as a $5,000 ring.

What if You Don’t Like The Engagement Ring?

Engagement rings are an expensive purchase and are one of the most symbolic items anyone can buy. As a result, it can be a sensitive subject to address if you aren’t entirely in love with the ring. However, it’s important to say something now since you will hopefully be wearing the jewelry for the rest of your life.

The good news is that there are many options available to you in this situation. Most jewelers will be flexible and allow for an exchange or refund. On the other hand, If you are unhappy with a particular element of the ring, it may be possible to modify a specific aspect of the design to your liking. For example, if you don’t like the setting of the diamond on your ring, you could have a jeweler redesign the setting. This way, you keep what you love and recreate the parts you didn’t love.

Are Diamonds Really a Girl’s Best Friend?

Traditional engagement ring etiquette depicts the fairytale engagement ring with a diamond as the central stone. However, if diamonds aren’t your thing, there are many other options available.

Today’s couples are less likely to stick with traditions and etiquette. So instead, you may opt for gemstones like rubies or emeralds as the centerpiece. Furthermore, you can have the best of both worlds – by getting an engagement ring with a gemstone surrounded by smaller diamonds in a pavé or halo setting.

Engagement Ring Etiquette Social Media Show Off

Getting engaged to the person you love and want to spend the rest of your life with is a big deal. And in today’s world, where some couples seem to validate their life through sharing on social media platforms, you may want to show off that bling of a rock. And why shouldn’t you? Is engagement ring etiquette exclusive of sharing with family and friends online? I don’t think so!

According to Tatler’s social media rules of engagement, you should avoid posting a close-up photo of your new sparkly ring.

The social media experts suggest these types of posts can come across as bragging and can leave your followers speculating over who you’re engaged to. So instead, they recommend posting a joint picture of you and your partner, with a subtle nod to your newest piece of jewelry, rather than a close-up shot.

What About Male Engagement Rings?

The engagement ring etiquette portrays that women should be the only recipients of an engagement ring in heterosexual relationships. However, there is a growing trend towards more men wanting to show off their engagement with their very own piece of bling.

While traditional feminine engagement rings are quite showy and conspicuous, the male equivalents are less noticeable, resembling something more like a wedding band.

Engagement Ring Etiquette Summary

In the end, what you choose to do for an engagement ring should be solely up to you and your love. Although engagement ring etiquette may suggest otherwise, your love and commitment to each other should be all that matters.

There will always be societal norms and expectations that may constrain our beliefs about what is important and how we should conduct ourselves. If you have got nothing else from this post, remember this. You are not getting married to your family, friends, or your critics. So do what feels right – get an engagement ring within your means or don’t get one. It is all up to you.

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