5 Engagement Ring Myths Debunked

Engagement rings are part of cultural tradition in many parts of the world - it's a beautiful thing if you think about it. People around the world celebrating a promise of devotion with fashioned pieces of the earth itself, to be worn and reflected on daily. However, traditions often carry with them some "stowaway" notions, "myths" if you will, added and acquired over the years out of habit or desire for socio-economic parity. Your family at Bremer Jewelry is here today to give these myths the one-two PUNCH and hopefully lend some peace and confidence to your engagement ring shopping experience.

MYTH #1 The Proposal and Ring Should Be a Surprise

Negatory. Relationships are individual things and therefore so are proposals.  Assuming you know your intended well enough, you should know if they A. like surprises and B. would like to have a say in the type of ring they'll be wearing on their finger for the rest of their life. If the answer to BOTH is yes, then consider surprise proposal without a ring (or using a ring stand-in) with a pre-scheduled time for both of you to meet with your trusted family jeweler ;)

MYTH #2 The Bigger Diamond is the Better Diamond

Nope. Just plain nope. It’s important to remember that a diamond’s overall value is determined using ALL of the 4Cs, not just carat weight. Although size is an important factor in determining the value of a diamond, the cut, color, and clarity are all important:

Cut -  A diamond’s cut grade is determined by how well it's facets interact with light as it enters and leaves the diamond. It is also the only factor of the diamond that is controlled by man. Color, clarity, and carat weight are all up to Mother Nature and the natural formation of the crystal. In layman's terms, a better cut = more sparkle!

Color - Mother Nature makes diamonds in many different colors. They range from colorless to progressively more yellow and eventually brown. Generally, diamonds with more visible color are less expensive, but can also be less appealing to the eye.

Clarity - Diamonds are made from carbon that’s under tremendous heat and pressure deep in the earth. This process can result in imperfections called inclusions. These inclusions can interrupt the reflection of light (resulting in less sparkle)  and some can even be seen with the naked eye.

MYTH #3 An Engagement Ring's Price Should Equal Three Months' Salary

Heck no.  While we probably all agree that a respectable display of seriousness and commitment should be involved with a proposal, buying a ring worth three month's of your salary does not equal a happy marriage. Engagement ring settings and diamonds are available in all shapes, sizes, and price ranges and it would be a mistake to presume that you must spend X amount of money for it to be the "correct" ring. Your family at Bremer Jewelry cares more about WHY you are here than how much you spend. We will help you work within ANY budget to find the perfect ring to start your forever together.

MYTH #4 A Traditional Round Diamond is Best 

Nah. Brilliant round diamonds are certainly the stereotypical shape most people think if when think "engagement ring." Every ring emoji we can find shows a round, if that tells you anything ;)  However, fancy diamond shapes in engagement rings are becoming more and more popular. You may find that an oval diamond is appealing because it elongates the finger. Or, you may be drawn to the elegant lines of Asscher and emerald diamonds. You might love that marquise or pear-shaped diamonds appear to be larger, given that more of the stone shows from the top view (looking down on the diamond). As you shop for your diamond, don't rule out the fancies!

To take the debunking of this myth one step further, we'd like to point out that an engagement ring does not even have to be a diamond ring. Alternative gemstones such as sapphire, ruby, and emerald (or any stone you want) can easily take the place of a diamond in an engagement ring. Again, it's a matter of individual style and preference.

MYTH #5 The Jeweler Knows Best

Lol. If you find yourself in a situation where the jeweler is telling you which ring to buy - just run. While jewelers can provide you with all kinds of important information regarding a diamond's 4 C's, price comparisons, or a setting's craftsmanship and durability, there is no way a jeweler can know which ring really speaks to you or which ring will best fit your intended's style. That’s why we take the time to get to know you, find out what you really want, and guide you to that dream ring at a comfortable pace. Before you learn about diamonds, we want to learn about you!

Where did you meet? What do you love about them? What do you do for a living? What is your personal style and how do we choose based on that? Have you been discussing engagement rings or is this a surprise? If you're not choosing the ring together, we'll give you our best advice on how to research and find their favorite styles. Our jewelry consultants are here as a resource for you, not an authority!

In closing, your family at Bremer Jewelry wants you to know that when you shop with us, you become part of our family! We deeply value your trust and will always provide you with the BEST product, with the BEST service, for the BEST value. Don't believe the "myths" you might hear about engagement rings - come to Bremer Jewelry and you'll hear the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth when it comes to your engagement ring options!