Hey folks, I'd like to start off by saying that as a 28 year old man more interested in samurai movies and video games than diamond rings and gemstones, the fact that I've spent about 4 hours a day for the last week browsing this forum is a testament to how creative and inspiring you all are. Thank you all for the help you've already given me by letting me see the beautiful jewelry you've created. Now, being that I'm relatively clueless about jewelry, I'd love to bounce some ideas off you guys and enlist your abilities to make my proposal as special as possible. The first week of May my girlfriend and I are going to Akumal, Mexico to snorkel, lay on the beach, and just hang out together. I intend to propose at some point during the trip. My first question, do you think it would be more memorable to do it at the beginning and have our whole trip colored by our plan to get married, or at the end to cap off an already wonderful trip together? Secondly, I need some help with the ring. She and I are both massage therapists, and wearing a ring during a massage doesn't fly, so her ring will be occasionally worn at best. She and I have talked about the diamond industry and I know she wouldn't want one. Moreover, she thinks it's ridiculous to spend a lot of money on jewelry as a gift rather than use that money for a vacation or some other memorable experience. That all said, I still want to get her something beautiful, ideally in the neighborhood of $500. She absolutely loves the water (she's an Aquarius and convinced she was a fish in a past life) and as a blonde looks wonderful in blue. I've decided on a BTD Kashmir Sapphire as a center stone, though I am torn between Round Diamond and Concave Round cuts. While I really like Windblownhair's Bella with the sapphire center, I think it may be more my idea of what's pretty than my girlfriend's. She would never want a stone that big (though I think it's gorgeous), but do you guys think that a ring like that in a smaller size is pretty enough that any girl would love it?

I've almost pulled the trigger on a few of Liebcor's settings on Ebay, especially:

That one would have a 7mm round sapphire as the center and two 5mm rounds from ChrisCZ as the side stones.

Before I did, though, I saw this ring on Etsy that she would love:

It's substantially out of my price range, however, and what I'm really hoping is that one of you has an idea where I might find a setting similar to that, or at least pretty and water-themed, without the center stone and within my price range. Any ideas about the setting, or even just general feedback, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again, everyone.

As an edit, I just saw this ring from Poppyseed on DiamondBistro, and I think it would look beautiful with the Kashmir sapphire:

While I hadn't been considering the asscher or the cushion it can take in a 7.5, I'm worried the 8mm round it calls for would look a little costume-jewelry on my girl's size 6.5 finger. Also, is it risky to get it with the sapphire side stones in case they clash with the center? I really, really like the look and price of this ring, though.

awwwwe, I love it, thanks for taking the time to post! First of all, if you've spent any time at all on these boards you know that everyone has different tastes and opinions so you should go with what you think your lady will love. You can get 50 responses with different opinions that may confuse you further You seem to know her tastes well, just keep that in the front of your mind. That being said, I bet she would also love wearing a ring that she knows you love as well.

As far as the proposal, I would say the middle of the trip! That way you have a few days to chill then surprise her. But honestly, you may be so nervous you just need to bust it out early! If only the beginning or end are choices then DEFINITELY do it at the beginning. Does she have any clue at all or will she be shocked?

Best of luck to you, I can't wait to hear how it all works out so if you're not too bust watching a samurai movie hopefully you can post and update and **some pics**!!!

As much as I wanted to avoid giving an opinion on the rings pics, I can't help it!!! I LOVE the last ring setting and think it would look amazing with a blue stone. I think it's so unique and dainty, but again-go with a ring that fits with her soul.

Thanks for the response, Frenchie. I hadn't even considered the middle of the trip, but that's a pretty good idea. It would give me a chance to scope out some locations over the first few days. We've talked about being together the rest of our lives, but we met while she was going through a messy divorce and she initially said she'd never want to remarry. I think she's changed her mind on that since, though. I am a little iffy on her ring size, actually. We met in massage school and as such I've only seen her wear a ring a couple times. That particular ring has since disappeared and in my sneaky efforts to size a ring she owns I found two that I've never actually seen on her. One was just over a 6 and one looked to be a seven so I've been going with 6.5, though I could be wrong. What is the sneaky method used by your FH? And I will definitely post pics throughout the whole process.

I am rather impressed with your diligence and thoughtfulness on this matter. Keep it up and you will be a happily married man for many, many years.

I love the wave ring, it is so unique and special!! You could contact some recommended vendors here and ask them for something similar but within your budget.

There are also some styles that have a wave shape without being quite so literal. This one is shown with a band.


As for when...I say wait for the right moment whether that be the beginning, middle or end. You really can't go wrong.

haha, I just edited that part b/c your edit looked like you knew her ring size. I think your assumption is pretty safe, and my FH's method won't help if you don't have a ring finger ring to use. He took one of my rings, put it on his finger, and memorized where the ring hit him to get my size.

I also think it's pretty safe to say that she has no idea!

I love, love, love, love, love the etsy ring! Did I mention I love the etsy???

Since she seems ok with not having platinum and diamonds, maybe the seller will make that for you in silver? As far as the stone, we could do some research or you could reach out to Casey or Poppyseed to maybe see if you could find that color but in a different type of stone to keep the cost within budget?

What would your girlfriend do when you purpose?? Is she the type of gal to just glow and enjoy for a few days or is she the type to plan right away? If she's a glow type I would do it night one or two so she gets to glow in special time with you being her fiancee in a wonderful place. It would be like a high on top of a high on top of a high. Vacation, time with the man she loves and then her new title of fiancee! If she's a planner, then maybe towards the end so wedding talk doesn't take over the vacation?

Whatever you choose is going to be great for you guys, trust yourself! Thank you for letting us share this with you!

It is so great that you took the time to do this research & pick out styles you like. I love the last one!!

I think the middle would be best because if you do it at the end, it would make it harder to leave and there would be no time to enjoy the proposal in Mexico.

Please keep us updated on everything!!

OMG what a sweet boyfriend you are. You already get major points for making the effort to make her proposal special. I think any stone in blue would be perfect. I like the etsy ring. Also someone had some unique mountings on the board a few weeks ago for pretty cheap, white gold. I would post a classified looking of ering mounting.

Secondly, if she loves the water you should propose in the ocean. Wait until u are snorking act like you found a neat shell or something and when she comes over propose.

I would do it in the beginning of the trip. It will be on your mind so u will not enjoy your trip until it is done. Secondly, you can introduce her as your finacee to everyone you meet on ur trip.

Thanks so much, everyone, I really appreciate the timely feedback.

MorningGlory, I actually spent a lot of time considering a semi-bezel just like that from the bistro, it's still floating around as an option. We're on the same page, there.

Elf925, you inspired me to at least ask the Etsy seller if casting that ring in silver without the stone is an option to bring down the price. She's selling it with a natural 8x6x4 sapphire in 14k gold for $1,950, so I'm hoping a cast in silver and popping in my own BTD Kashmir oval would bring it into my budget. Now that I've seen that ring I can't get it out of my head.

And as for the timing of the proposal, I had been leaning towards doing it early in the vacation. We won't get to our hotel until about 9pm the first night, though, and I thought popping the question in bad lighting after a 9 hour flight would be a shame. I'd thought maybe over breakfast or at sunset the first day? She's definitely not the type to plan like crazy, I think she'd just bask in the glow.

Edit:
Tncosby, you might be right. A client of mine suggested I act like I'd found something interesting in the water while snorkeling and do it then. My only concerns are that I might be so nervous I drop it and that, given that I'm not a great swimmer, I'd be bobbing there swallowing water and mumbling out a proposal. If I could pull it off it'd be a great story, though.

It would be great if the etsy seller will work with you on this. * crossing my fingers for you!!*