The significance and look of an engagement ring has varied over time and across cultures. The Walsh family of Linda’s of Kinsale has been fitting and selling vintage and contemporary engagement rings within Co. Cork for the last 50 years and, although styles come in and out of fashion, there are certain points which are worth remembering writes Laura Jane Walsh.
Many think that an engagement ring MUST be a solitaire. This idea was certainly helped by the infamous DeBeers advertising campaign in the 1940s claiming ‘Diamonds are Forever’. However, three stone rings and five stone diamond rings are also true classics which have always been popular. Coloured stone engagement rings were huge in the 1970s and 80s and it’s lovely that they are making a comeback. Albert gave the future Queen Victoria a serpent ring as her engagement ring, the symbol of fertility and of life and death. Here at Lindas, we aim to help you find the ring that reflects your personality. An engagement ring can be anything you wish but bear in mind that a classic style will never date so just make sure that the design you choose and the gemstones in it are practical for everyday wear.
Try on everything! You may love something online or in a magazine. But until you try it on, you won’t know whether it will suit. Our hand size and skin colour are hugely instrumental in finding what works. Three stone rings, five stones and clusters work well on large hands for example. A marquise cut diamond solitaire works on a long narrow finger. Horizontal styles help give length to short fingers. Square shaped rings work well on square shaped hands. I love when a girl walks out of our door, staring admiringly at her hand and saying ‘well, I never thought I would choose a style like this!’
Colour is important. Yellow gold looks good on sallow skin whilst rose gold and white gold tend to suit fairer skins. Blue gemstones work on everybody, but rubies don’t tend to work on those with pink toned skins. Yellow gemstones look great on brown skin whilst the apricot and pink tones of morganite look so beautiful on pale skin.
Cut is everything. A round brilliant cut diamond throws out more light than any other cut and can be quite flash. An emerald cut diamond is more understated, giving a subtle transparent look more akin to water than fire. Ovals face up bigger than round diamonds and so could work better as a solitaire on a bigger hand.
Practicality is key. Sapphires and diamonds are hard gemstones, hard enough to withstand the knocks of everyday life. Emeralds are soft gemstones so I would be less inclined to recommend them for an everyday ring. Platinum is the best metal to set diamonds into because of its strength. White gold is shinier and more reflective than platinum but discolours over time and has to be dipped. The more tiny diamonds you have in a ring, the more likely you are to lose one.
Finally. Shop local. Boring but important. Diamond rings are not indestructible and gold wears over the years. We have insurance so that IF we lose a stone, we are covered. When we buy a car, we get it serviced. It’s the same with a ring. The jeweller who sold you your ring needs to check your ring every two years and update the paperwork. If you buy abroad, you will have to pay an Irish jeweller every two years to do this. The money you originally saved will not be worth it. Bear in mind that you will visit your jeweller to have your ring re-sized over the years, or to have it checked and cleaned.
Finally. Throw a party! Celebrate your engagement! These moments in life are few: enjoy each and every one of them.
