Typically, an engagement ring is unlike any other piece of jewelry a person has.
Obviously, they represent a lifetime commitment, and because they are normally supposed to be worn every day, they must be more durable than most other jewelry.
However, some modern engagement ring fads disregard longevity, despite their aesthetic appeal.
Insider spoke with Anna P. Jay, a private jeweler located in Nantucket, Massachusetts, and Charleston, South Carolina, about engagement ring trends that are impractical for daily use.
Jay told Insider that he dislikes ultra-thin bands since they are occasionally fragile.
Thin bands offer a sleek appearance and can make a stone appear larger, but they lack support, especially if your ring contains a large stone.
Thin bands are not always practical.
Olena Ruban / Getty Photographs
“When a larger stone is placed on top, it becomes top-heavy, so it will continually spin,” Jay explained. They can also flex under use.
Jay advised acquiring a slightly thicker band, which will likely be imperceptible to the naked eye.
She continued, “Tens of millimeters make an enormous difference.”
Jay also stated that ultra-thin bands will likely be out of style in the near future, so a larger band is likely a better investment.
“I believe they will become less popular as chunkier jewelry becomes more popular,” she remarked.
Jay told Insider that another unrealistic engagement ring type that has gained popularity in recent years is pronged eternity bands, sometimes known as infinity rings.
Eternity bands have disadvantages.
Photograph by Kelsey Presswood / EyeEm / Getty Images
The definition of an eternity ring is when the entire band is encrusted with diamonds or another gem. According to Jay, the most prevalent style of eternity ring is the prong setting, which is also the least practical.
Jay stated, “Prong settings are absolutely impractical.” “People favor them due to the absence of metal. However, I have had to reset or tighten prongs after a week of use.”
“I believe jewelry should be worn, and if it’s too fragile to be worn, what’s the point?” She stated,
Furthermore, eternity rings cannot be resized because the entire band is comprised of diamonds.
As Jay told Insider, most people’s fingers change size over the course of their lifetimes, so these rings do not make sense for a piece of jewelry you expect to wear forever.
As an alternative, Jay suggests half-pronged bands, as having a partially metal band allows you to adjust its size.
A post by Anna P. Jay | Fine Jewelry (@annapjay) on Twitter.
And with regard to all elements of engagement rings, Jay recommends individuals to have candid dialogues with their partners about their expectations for an engagement ring.
“Make sure you discuss your desires with your spouse since it’s not a cup of coffee,” she said. We cannot simply discard it and start over.
“This is often the most expensive piece of jewelry that a lot of people buy, and it’s also the first piece of jewelry that a lot of people buy,” Jay continued. “Let’s make sure we nail it.”