When E and I first got engaged 3 years (!) ago, we were both in graduate school and dirt po’. well, not dirt poor, exactly, but we certainly didn’t have a lot of extra cash lying around. She proposed to me with a platinum band, which I love, with the intent of getting something more sparkly once we were more settled. I think she always meant that for me – she teases me for being more high maintenance than she is, and I guess to a certain extent that is true. I’m definitely more into shiny things, maybe material things, although I do think I keep it in check 
So, when the time came to get new rings, E had long decided to get another band, perhaps with channel set diamonds. I was REALLy excited to find out about Brilliant Earth. I haven’t seen the movie “Blood Diamonds”, but had done some reading about them years before and felt strongly about not contributing to de Beers (although, technically, I was still participating in it. Plus, the environmental issues. But that’s another post). I made an appointment via email, and a representative responded within a few hours, and accommodated our schedules to set up a Saturday morning appointment.
When E and I arrived at the showroom, and Beth, a co-founder, was just fantastic. Really friendly, really approachable. As soon as Erin saw the engagement rings, her eyes widened, blinders came on, and she paid almost no attention to the wedding bands. She was attracted to some bezel set rounds, but then she put on a flat-shank ring with a small asscher in it, and declared that she saw Jesus lights and heard choir music, and that this ring was “the one”. She found a pave set band to go with it, and said she was done, this was what she wanted. I asked her, didn’t we say we were only going to get bands to save money, and she said, screw that, i want a diamond. Oh, silly girl.
So, it’s now been a few weeks, and she went back today to try on the ring again to make sure it really was for her. It still is. I have to admit it does suit her perfectly and looks very much at home on her hand. I, however, am still undecided even after visiting 8 stores.
Below is a picture of E’s chosen ring and possible wedding band.
