Remember way back when we were going to meet with the jeweler about beginning the process of making our wedding bands? So we did. But the topic of the day became my engagement ring. And my dreams of a 3-stone ring were killed almost as soon as I walked through the door. No lie.
Let me start my saying that our jeweler is amazing. He is the most lovably hilarious gay straight man that's ever existed. He totally won me over, and if you read my last post you'd be shocked that I could be talked out of a 3-stone so quickly. Ultimately, he explained that my oval's cut is amazingly rare in it's perfection (he cut it himself and witnessed the moment "it happened like a dream"), and to put anything next to it only covers up its brilliance and hinders its shine. What can I say? It's hard to argue with the man that cut the diamond himself!
As you may have gathered (since we were talking 3-stones with the jeweler), Mr. Seashell and I did continue our conversation about the engagement ring. Ultimately, the underlying sentiment was about more than the ring itself. We had a meaningful discussion about what it all meant, literally (in terms of the ring) and emotionally, and made the decision that was right for us.
After the 3-stone was shot down, the jeweler pulled out a tray of wedding bands for Mr. Seashell to consider. While he was hard at work, I presented the jeweler with a necklace I'd inherited from my paternal grandmother. I told him I was hoping take the diamonds from it and create a simple eternity band which would be my wedding band.
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He explained that he would have to take the necklace apart to make sure the stones were viable. I told him to go for it. I awaited the results. I felt like I was having my eggs harvested.
He returned. The news was good. The stones were of excellent quality and I'd have more than enough for an eternity band.
Extra diamonds. The wheels started turning. "More than enough...like how many extra stones?" I asked. "6, maybe 8" he replied.
I looked at Mr. Seashell. He knew exactly what I was going to ask. "So what would you think about adding my grandma's extra stones to my engagement ring?" He gave me his sly Mr. Seashell smile. It was a yes. The jeweler pulled out two bands.
He returned. The news was good. The stones were of excellent quality and I'd have more than enough for an eternity band.
Extra diamonds. The wheels started turning. "More than enough...like how many extra stones?" I asked. "6, maybe 8" he replied.
I looked at Mr. Seashell. He knew exactly what I was going to ask. "So what would you think about adding my grandma's extra stones to my engagement ring?" He gave me his sly Mr. Seashell smile. It was a yes. The jeweler pulled out two bands.
Personal Photo
He explained that we could keep the original "head" from my engagement ring, and most of the band. We'd literally be adding the stones to the sides. It felt like we'd achieved the definition of compromise. And a meaningful one at that. We were using stones that belonged to my grandmother, and maintained everything that Mr. Seashell loved about my stone (which he'd so thoughtfully chosen).
It means a lot that we were able to collaborate, work through our feelings, and find something that felt right to both of us. Did you reset your engagement ring? Did you know exactly what you wanted? Or did the perfect solution find you?
