Category Engagement

Like with anything in life, relationships have stages. And although a guidebook that pinpoints the exact right moment for every milestone would be mega-helpful, the truth is, every duo moves at the pace that's right for them. That's why it can be a very tricky situation when you're ready to cement your lifelong commitment with an engagement-and your partner hasn't quite met you halfway.

With so many rings and so many jewelry stores, figuring out how and where to buy engagement rings can seem overwhelming! After all, it's one of the biggest purchases you'll ever make - you want to make sure you're doing it right. Read our engagement ring shopping guide to take the stress out of the process.

We all want to know how to clean diamond rings because, really, there are few things more mesmerizing than watching your engagement ring sparkle and dance in the light after it's been freshly polished and cleaned. It's only natural to want to maintain that bling! And while you can always take it into a jeweler for a professional cleaning, can you give it a polish at home too?

Your fiancГ© put a lot of time and effort into picking out the perfect engagement ring and while he probably did his best to figure out your size, he might have miscalculated. If your gorgeous new rock is a little off in size, don't worry - engagement ring resizing is common. So, if the ring doesn't fit, it's time to head back to the jeweler to have your ring resized.

So, your fiancГ© chose the perfect engagement ring-congratulations! But, what's really the difference when it comes to the engagement ring vs. the wedding ring? And, if you love your engagement ring so much, do you also need to get a coordinating wedding ring? Sometimes finding the perfect wedding band match can be tricky.

Cuts make all the difference when it comes to finding the diamond engagement ring of your dreams. Each type of cut sparkles in its own way and deciding which one appeals to you is a great place to start. Beyond the most popular styles (round, princess, marquise, emerald, and cushion cut), you also have oval, pear, radiant, Asscher, and heart-shaped cuts to pique your interest.

Your engagement ring will be a constant (sparkly) symbol of your marriage, long after your wedding day has passed. That's why it's of the utmost importance that you have an accurate measure of your ring size before your partner pops the question. Nothing's more disheartening than losing such a precious gem to the depths of your kitchen sink's drain, or, on the other end of the spectrum, having it cut off your circulation.

It's an unforgettable moment when your guy gets that adoring look on his face, asks tremulously, "Will you marry me?" and then proffers a box with - the worst ring you've ever seen! And now it's become something you feel bad for even thinking: "I don't like my engagement ring. What do I do?!" Brides, you're not alone.

Let's be honest, if you're like most girls, the only time you ever even think to take your engagement ring off is to hit the gym (which you absolutely should BTW, especially if you'll be lifting weights!). But what about when you hit the hay? Is it okay to snooze with a rock on your finger or should you really be giving it a rest?

Of course no bride wants to think about it. But things happen-the unthinkable happens-and divorce (the dreaded D -word) becomes a reality for a number of couples each year. And after the dust settles, there are always logistics to figure out: who moves out, who keeps this, who keeps that, etc. But what about the wedding rings?

In Catalyst Wedding Co. editor Liz Susong's weekly column devoted to the feminist bride, she dives headfirst into the crazy history behind common wedding traditions we may take for granted. Liz investigates here. Do you have that male family member who loves to joke that wedding rings are the tiniest handcuffs ever made?

You love your engagement ring almost as much as you adore your partner. So it goes without saying you'd never want anything to happen to it. That's why some people prefer to wear a separate travel engagement ring while on vacation - because your honeymoon (in addition to being the best vacation ever) could be just the place for something bad to happen to your engagement ring or even your wedding band.

Once you've decided that you've found the one and you're getting plans in place to pop the question, you may want to take a step back and understand what's going to happen after you are engaged and before you're married. Here are four things everyone should know before they pop the question and climb aboard the wedding train.

Snuggle Up An engagement ring that truly fits won't fall off: “You should struggle a bit to remove it, especially over the knuckle,” says De Beers's Balzano-Hull. Get fitted in the afternoon, when your finger is at its thinnest. Remove It Wisely “Certain activities can cause rings to fall off,” Legg says.

In Catalyst Wedding Co. editor Liz Susong's weekly column devoted to the feminist bride, she dives headfirst into the crazy history behind common wedding traditions we may take for granted. Liz investigates here. Maybe you can relate to this: there's nothing to do in my hometown. Unless you enjoy seeing back-to-back matinee movies or perhaps driving three towns over for a rousing bowling match, your best bet is just to flip through the soft news section of the local paper and check out the happity-haps.

Aladdin fans, rejoice! You can feel like Princess Jasmine on your wedding day thanks to Zales. The jewelry company partnered with Disney to bring engagement rings and jewelry pieces from the Aladdin live-action film to real-life princesses just like you. Twenty pieces were added to the Enchanted Disney Fine Jewelry collection in celebration of the film.

Are you constantly playing the "they love me…they love me not" game with your inner voice as you anxiously wait for a proposal? Are you driving yourself crazy analyzing every conversation and decision the two of you have made together in the entirety of your relationship? Are you stressing yourself out over how you will cope both emotionally and financially (rent is expensive ) when you once again convince yourself that it's not that serious and the connection is spiraling towards its grand demise?

The jewelry we put on every single day usually has meaning behind it. Sometimes we get dressed up and wear a string of pearls that's been passed down to us from a family member. Other times we pull out our favorite costume jewelry for a night on the town with our friends. But for some women, one specific piece of jewelry can be something they put on for reasons that, at first, can seem a bit crazy.

Pop the champagne! It's National Proposal Day! We never get sick of hearing stories of popped questions, sparkly engagement rings, squeals of surprise, and tears of joy-especially of the star-studded variety. What better way to celebrate our favorite holiday than by reminiscing on the proposals of a few of our favorite celebs?

Getting engaged is a big deal. After all, you're deciding to spend the rest of your life with someone! But there's more to it than just a sweet proposal story and a sparkly new ring on your left hand, and there are some things you and your significant other should talk about before you decide on forever.