Okay, hive mind, I need help! As I’ve posted on a couple other threads, D1’s BF is going to propose in a few weeks. He and I chatted, and I offered him a loose diamond I have if he (and she) want it. He thought it was a great idea, so I am sending it to him. I made it VERY clear that if he or she prefers something else (a different diamond, ring with no diamond whatsoever, etc.), no worries, they can just give it back if they decide not to use it. I just want both of them to be happy with whatever she ends up with. He already thought he wanted to let her pick her own ring, but liked the idea of presenting a stone, so it isn’t stepping on anything he already purchased or planned to get.
I was thinking I’d like to put it in a box (like a small presentation jewelry box) to send it to him; he could use that to give it to her, or do something else if he prefers. But a box suitable for a loose stone turns out to be hard to find! I was counting on Amazon Prime, but not having any luck there (there are small boxes that come by the dozen, but don’t seem too attractive, and don’t ship fast…). I was in a local jewelry store and asked them, but they said it would be tough to find because stores have their own branding on their boxes (so don’t sell or give the boxes away). I can find a couple sold by jewelry supply places, but can’t tell how long the shipping is. Don’t want to keep him waiting and anxious about it.
So… has anyone (or anyone’s kid/kid’s SO) proposed with a loose diamond? How was it displayed/secured for the proposal?
The problem with a “ring box” is that the loose diamond rattles around in it; it isn’t designed to display just one stone without a setting. Although I did find that you can get dark velvety ring boxes with an LED light those shines on the ring when you open it… admit, I was a bit transfixed by those. Maybe the best thing is a dark blue ring box, and just keep the diamond in the little plastic sleeve it lives in right now inside the box.
H proposed with a loose emerald. (Emeralds are rarer and more expensive than diamonds, he said)
It was wrapped in paper inside the little envelope they gave him when
he bought it. So nothing fancy at all. I didn’t care. I got a nice box with the ring we had set.
I LOVE the rattle of blue paper in the morning. We gave my son three diamonds to set in a necklace. We had them into a necklace. They kept them in the necklace.
I like the little Etsy wood boxes that you can have personalized. How about “Will you marry me?” or some other proposal. It would always be a keepsake. The actual stone could be in a velvet bag of some sort.
Honestly, I think the groom to be should pick out the box. If I think of my daughter’s reaction to learning that mom had picked it out and not fiance, she might not articulate it but it wouldn’t be positive.
Congratulations on the upcoming engagement. I would place the diamond in a small velvet envelope/ bag to fit inside a ring box. I also think the groom to be should pick out the box to avoid your daughter potentially being disappointed if he doesn’t.
100% the groom should figure out the presentation. Your responsibility is getting the diamond safely and securely to him - the rest is on him - FOR her!
A smart young man to let his fiancee pick the ring design! DH said his father told him not to buy the ring ahead of time. Whew! We ended up designing a ring that I still love, 31 years later.
The last time I bought a loose diamond, the store put it in what they called a “presentation ring”. Basically a very cheap basic ring, maybe $50. That way it looks good when you present it, and the fiancée can wear it while picking out the actual setting. Maybe you could do something similar?
Emotionally it takes the sting out of tossing/swapping the “presentation” setting if you know that it’s supposed to be temporary.
Agree that I don’t want to decide what he does in the end. I won’t buy a fancy box. I think I’ll send it to him in a blue velvet ring box, with the diamond in the little plastic ziplock that it is in now. $10 from Amazon Prime, and he can do as he likes after that. He is thinking of proposing on the beach – so I think keeping it in the baggie might be practical. He is a smart guy, he’ll figure it out.
Maybe the best thing is a dark blue ring box, and just keep the diamond in the little plastic sleeve it lives in right now inside the box.