Is an engagement ring without a stone acceptable?

Question

A male friend of mine has confided in me that he is going to ask his girlfriend to marry him, but we know that she doesn't like stones, like diamonds or coloured stones. She has very plain (although not bad) taste and doesn't like anything that brings attention to her, especially her hands, which she thinks are ugly! (They're not). However, he is convinced she would appreciate a ring, as a symbol more than anything else. Do you think he could he get away with something like a pearl or maybe other soft stone? Or no stone at all and just a simple ring?

Answer 1

If she doesn't like stones, then he shouldn't be getting her a ring with a stone (kinda obvious). He won't be "getting away" with it - he will be doing her a favor by taking her tastes and desires into account. It's the right thing to do. He can get her a plain band (no stones), or he can ask her to marry him, and they can go pick out a ring together.

Answer 2

I wouldnt go with a pearl. That would bring notice to her hands because a pearl ring is so unusual. Also with pearls on rings, you either love them or hate them. I personally hate them, they look very grannyish.
I would be looking at celtic type rings, or maybe a claddagh ring, or even a beautifully engraved band.
But you know what?? I would be feeling her out a little more on this idea, she may not like big stones on rings.....but she may still wish for a traditional engagement ring. Sit down and have a chat with her. You dont have to give the whole idea away, you could just say that you were thinking about your future engagement ring and she came to mind because you know how she doesnt like big stones on jewellery. Ask her what her dream ring would be.

Answer 3

The Claddagh ring is a traditional Irish ring, given in friendship or worn as a wedding ring.

The Claddagh's distinctive design features two hands clasping a heart, and usually surmounted by a crown. The elements of this symbol are often said to correspond to the qualities of love (the heart), friendship (the hands), and loyalty (the crown). The expression which was associated with these symbols in the giving of the ring was: "Let love and friendship reign."

The way that a Claddagh ring is worn on the hand is usually intended to convey the wearer's romantic availability, or lack thereof. Traditionally, if the ring is on the right hand with the heart facing outward and away from the body, this indicates that the person wearing the ring is not in any serious relationship, and may in fact be single and looking for a relationship: "their heart is open." When worn on the right hand but with the heart facing inward toward the body, this indicates the person wearing the ring is in a relationship, or that "someone has captured their heart". A Claddagh worn on the left hand ring finger, facing outward away from the body, generally indicates that the wearer is engaged. When the ring is on the left hand ring finger and facing inward toward the body, it generally means that the person wearing the ring is married.

Answer 4

If she doesn't like diamonds or colored stones, a beautiful pearl ring with be lovely. This girl needs some tutoring on jewelry and diamonds. I would advise your friend to purchase a lovely cultured pearl ring with tiny diamonds on each side in 14K yellow gold. I think she will be thrilled. Tell him to look at pearlsonly.com for some ideas. They have gorgeous pearl rings of every price range and color. Stunning designs and some very simple that she may love.

Answer 5

I wouldn't give a peral as a ring to be worn every day. They are soft, which means they're vulnerable and wouldn't last a lifetime of everyday wear and tear. I'd prefer a plain ring over a pearl in that instance. How about a claddagh? It's an Irish symbol that stands for love, loyalty and friendship. That is surely a lovely sentiment for someone you would like to marry.

Answer 6

As long as I know simple golden rings was always the proper ones for engagement. It's just that movies/ diamond companies made people think that a ring should be something super expensive with a huge diamond in it. Plain ring will be for the best especially if she like it that way!

Answer 7

There has never been any rule, or law that states an engagement ring must have a stone (diamond or any other kind of stone) so there is nothing wrong with giving her a plain band if that is her taste.

Answer 8

An engagement ring is a really personal thing. If she clearly doesn't want a stone, then for goodness sake don't get her one! =) That's my opinion. Also, engagement rings weren't always made with diamonds - they used to be all kinds of stones. I think de Beers (the big diamond company) has created a lot of 'traditions' in our culture. I have a friend, who's an artist, who made his fiancee (now wife) a ring. It was really meaningful to her.

Tell him not to worry about social/cultural standards when it comes to this. It's their love and their engagement. They should be able to do it on their own terms!

Answer 9

I think a soft stone or no stone at all would be wonderful. But I wouldn't make it a simple ring if no stone. Something with cool tooling in it would make it more special, especially to add contrast to a plain wedding band.

Answer 10

Wow thats tough one because even if she doesnt like stones you never know if she might want one onher engagement ring.I think he should go to the ewelry store and get an angement ring without a stone but still a place to put the stone if she wants one something like this

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond_search.asp?filter_id=1&track=design_state

its like s build your own ring, and if she doesn't want a stone you he can always take it back and get a nice band. but this is a very important thing for her, may she will want a stone for her engagement ring and if she doesnt thats okay to but just to be safe i think he should go with the build your own ring and give it to her without a stone that way she can pick a stone if she decides she wants one after all.