FELL IN LOVE BUT SECOND GUESSING: RINGS, REGRETS, AND REALITIES
Engagement rings are more than just pieces of jewelry; they symbolize commitment, love, and the promise of a shared future. However, what happens when that initial sparkle loses its luster? Many find themselves second-guessing their choices, caught between the bliss of love and the doubt that creeps in post-proposal.
The Dilemma: Love vs. Expectations
The moment you say “yes” is filled with joy, but as the excitement settles, questions may arise. Did I choose the right ring? Is it truly reflective of our love? How do I balance my aesthetic preferences with the traditional designs?
These queries are particularly common in a community driven by engagement rings—we’re constantly exposed to stunning images of other couples’ choices. Seeing emerald-cut diamonds and unique settings can ignite a pang of regret about your own ring. You might think, “Did I settle for something average?” or “Maybe I should have gone for an entirely different style?”
Inviting Honest Conversations
This isn’t just about showcasing beautiful rings; it’s about fostering a dialogue. Sharing your feelings of second-guessing can be a cathartic experience. You aren’t alone in this thought process. Here are some potential discussion prompts for our community:
- Choices & Regrets: Have you ever regretted the ring you chose? How did you handle those feelings?
- Redefining Beauty: Does society’s pressure to have the “perfect” engagement ring affect your happiness with your choice? Let’s talk about those external influences.
- Custom Creations & Redesign: For anyone who has redesigned or adjusted their ring, what was that experience like? How did it change your feelings toward your original choice?
Learning Together
We can all learn from each other’s experiences. If you’re still in the ring shopping phase, consider asking questions:
- Expert Tips: What factors should I consider when choosing a gem or cut?
- Customization: How far can you go with custom designs? What are the pros and cons?
- Gem Choices: How do different stones hold emotional value?
Don’t hesitate to showcase your engagement ring! Share photos of it in different lighting, or how it looks alongside your everyday jewelry. Describe its journey—from the first time you saw it to the moment you said “yes.”
Overcoming Doubts
Remember, no ring is perfect, but it’s the love behind it that truly matters. Here are some affirmations to reinforce the beauty of your unique choice:
- Personal Connection: Your engagement ring is a testament to your love story. It may not be a classic princess cut, but if it resonates with you both, that’s what counts.
- Value Beyond Carats: The bond you share and the memories attached to your ring outweigh the material aspects.
Let’s Spark a Conversation!
So, let’s dive in! Show off your engagement rings, express your thoughts, and share your experiences—whether they be joyous or filled with second guesses. This is a safe space for all emotions surrounding this significant milestone in your life. What are your thoughts? Do you feel confident about your choice, or are you still grappling with doubts? Let’s support each other through this beautiful, complex journey of love and engagement!
Never regretted my sapphire & never will!! Diamonds have their place but, imo, they’re boring. I love color and the deep ocean blue of mine is beautiful! People often comment on & compliment it.
Be non-traditionally bold! Your ring is classic and you’ll love it as a symbol of your love and commitment for the rest of your life. It’ll also make for a great heirloom!
https://preview.redd.it/j5gtr1qp6n7g1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=50345e13f842ab877230e366d4567e53cbb55ae4
I love my sapphire and knew I always wanted one! We got married last month and I can’t stop looking at it. Go with whatever stone you love the most whether that’s a diamond, sapphire or something else 🥰
I have an emerald. No regrets.
Thank you all for the lovely supportive comments! I’ve never had so many comments on a Reddit post and I’m truly appreciative! We’ll definitely pull the trigger on this one. It’s definitely meant to be a starter ring and we’ll upgrade to something sturdier when it makes more sense financially 🩵
This ring is stunning and looks like it was made for you! I hope you keep it; not sticking to traditions is perfectly fine.
https://preview.redd.it/u6diyzd36m7g1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=03e6153ffb3adb9b52de5701bfb57da1c13902b1
No regrets!
I love my ring especially because it’s nontraditional. To shame to anyone who loves their diamond e-rings, they’re beautiful, but I didn’t feel a diamond told the story of my partner and I. We designed ours with a particular stone that was the exact shade of blue as the sea where we met. I think the sentimentality of makes it so much more personal. Your ring is beautiful!!
I love that emerald!!!!! It’s so beautiful and more unique than ever increasing in popularity sapphires.
I think it would be most beautiful as a solitare, or with side stones (as opposed to a halo), or in a bezel. But that’s just my personal preference.
That emerald is stunning and looks great on your hand/skin tone!!!!
Diamonds are so overrated and everyone has one— be unique!! I LOVE green and it’s a gorgeous ring on your finger! Will be fun to style a band with it too🥰 I personally would do a baguette horizontal length diamond band for some contrast
That’s a beautiful ring. Is this what you plan to wear as an engagement ring? Because it’s pretty fancy.
I have an emerald engagement ring that I love, it got chipped within the first year. I got a diamond halo around it to provide somewhat protection but I still need to be careful.
My god, question *nothing* on that ring. It’s gorgeous.
I’ve had a non-traditional ring (Montana sapphires with heavy inclusions) forever, and no one has said anything bad about it.
I mean, maybe someone has? But if they have, I don’t remember.
If you have judgmental people in your life who want to dictate what *your* ring should look like based on *their* preferences, it’s good practice to shut them down over something so low stakes.
My wife has a non traditional gemstone ring, absolutely beautiful and gets tons of compliments on it bc it’s different. Go for it OP! You won’t regret it.
It’s lovely! Congratulations! I’m hoping to get gemstones and diamonds in mine! (Hoping and waiting!)
I think it’s beautiful! There’s something so special about a gemstone ring that holds personal meaning. As long as you and your partner love it, that’s what counts most. I’d say go for it!
Lovely!
That ring is stunning and the pear shape is really flattering on your hand. If you love emeralds and the stone has personal meaning, don’t worry about tradition. Lab-created stones are definitely a smarter choice for longevity and durability, especially for softer gems like emeralds. Get the ring you both love.
I am OBSESSED with my nontraditional engagement ring! It’s beautiful, extremely thoughtful, and definitely a stunner! I say go for it, especially if the gem stone has meaning for the both of you. What a BEAUTIFUL ring btw!
It’s beautiful.
For people saying that they’re not going to last, it really depends on the wearer. These gemstones are not that brittle or soft, they’re still a 7.5/8 on the scale. If you do a lot of hard labor or are more heavy-handed, that’s something to consider, but these stones can last.
I’ve seen this one in person, it’s stunning and you won’t regret it.
I have a sapphire, i loved it 10 years ago, i love it now.
Go for it!
This is STUNNING ✨️
No she’s beautiful!!!
We want to do sapphire as our main stone (:
It’s interesting! Mine is a green Montana sapphire
It’s absolutely stunning and all that matters is you are happy with it! My first ring was black and I LOVED it! I wouldn’t want another ring that looks like everyone else’s.
I love this ring so much. But you need to know that emeralds are extremely delicate and do not hold up well for daily wear.
I love the no traditional approach. If you love it you do you. Enjoy. You can always add a diamond ring for another finger
It is so gorgeous, and honestly historically colored stones have been more traditional. Diamonds are a newer thing within the last hundred years and my prediction is that with lab diamonds, making the value of diamonds overall go down that there’s gonna be this big resurgence of colored gemstones as a center stone and an engagement ring.
And to me a color gemstone as a center stone, as long as the ring is done well like yours is automatically makes me think the wearer is super chic but what it matters most you’re feeling for it and there’s also nothing wrong with you wearing it loving it and then when the emerald starts to show signs of wear (which it will if you wear it regularly) to get an upgrade ring at your five or 10 year anniversary with another emerald or perhaps a different stone.
I love this. You don’t need to get the ring everyone and their mother has! Get what feels authentic to you. This is so stunning.
So the ring is stunning, but I wonder if you’ve considered a green sapphire. Emeralds are brittle and known for not being great for daily wear. Sapphires are second to diamonds for holding up to daily wear. As far as aesthetics, this ring is a beauty.
I personally LOVE IT!!! I wish 32 years ago that being different was better. Stunning!
I have been wearing my blue sapphire for almost 5 years now and love it as much now as the day it was given to me. The ring pictured is beautiful and if you love it now, I’m sure you will into the future as well.
I love it 😍
Gorgeous 🤩
I love it
It’s beautiful!! I have a ruby as my center stone. Precious gemstones (rubies, sapphires, emeralds) used to be very standard for engagement rings and are coming back into style!! We Gen Z girlies love our nontraditional rings 😍😍
My only concern would be is I’ve heard emeralds are not great for daily wear. But it’s a beautiful ring.
I’ve had a non traditional ring for years now and I have no regrets! If you love it that’s all that matters. As you said, the emerald is a bit more delicate, but if you’re willing to be more careful with it it should be fine. Get what you love!
i really like that and think it’s super pretty!
I have a sapphire center stone and no regrets! I still love it.
This is so beautiful. A lot of people are going back to gemstone rings. Fun fact, gemstones were more traditional than diamonds until the push for diamond rings came out. I had a Sapphire as my main ring for the first 5 yrs. I still wear it on my right hand at times and sometimes will switch it out when I don’t want to wear something setting too high. We switched to a diamond after 5 yrs but only because I fell in love with the design. I typically have always steered towards Sapphires and Green stones when I looked at rings.
It’s gorgeous. 🤩
I have a non traditional ring that has salt n pepper champagne diamonds (or just a nicer way of saying heavily included, off colored diamonds). Ha. I have absolutely no regrets. Many friends and colleagues have lab grown etc but I think it matters what you like. If you’ve always liked emeralds and they’re sentimental, chances are you will continue to like them. Not that it matters, but I think it’s beautiful. Good luck with your decision. Can’t go wrong really. I think I would have regretted not getting something unique and true to me.