Jewels of Engagement

From wedding bands worn by the ancient Egyptians to the glittering diamond statements worn by 20^th century brides, engagement rings have endured and evolved through the ages.

A holiday is the perfect time for gentlemen to pop the question – particularly if you’re on vacation with your intended in a blissfully exotic location like Thailand.

Whether you’re staying in a luxurious hillside villa or right next to a secluded beach; the romance of the location will be suitably enhanced by the presentation of a perfect engagement ring ­– picked out and ready to wow your bride-to-be.

The tradition of wearing an engagement ring dates back centuries – even cavemen tied braided grass cords around their mates’ wrists.

Although the majority of ladies today expect a diamond engagement band; if you’ve chosen an unconventional partner, there are plenty of more unusual choices.

Below are a few brilliant ideas.

New BFF

A colourful diamond is a fabulous choice for brides-to-be that want to add an interesting splash of colour to their wedding finger. Even better, a vividly-hued diamond manages to stay traditional while being that little bit different at the same time. Yellow and pink diamonds are popular non-traditional choices that don't stray too far beyond the realms of a conventional engagement band. However, other ultra-modern choices include chocolate and black diamonds for a real touch of independence.

Perfect Pear

While round-cut diamond designs dominate the engagement ring scene, there is no doubt that the vintage allure of pear-shaped and marquise-cut diamonds are steadily coming back into vogue. Not only do these sensational offerings ooze elegance, the tapered cuts also help create the illusion that the bride’s fingers are longer that they actually are – a major plus point for the photographs. This kind of ring is therefore a popular choice for brides that want to stand out from the crowd.

Meaningful Messages

For hundreds of years, grooms around the world have been presenting their fiancées with highly personalized rings engraved with messages of love. More recently, innovative ring designers have come up with the idea of crafting rings that pop open to reveal a romantic handwritten note. This can be customized with a loving message, the date of your wedding, or even the lyrics from “your song”. A simple band design allows a secret storage place for the note; after all, isn’t it what’s on the inside that counts?

Treasures from Thailand

If you want to break away from the diamond tradition entirely, then Thailand is the perfect place to source the gemstone of your dreams. Deep blue sapphires offer a fabulous alternative to yellow and pink diamonds and Thailand is home to rich mines of raw gemstones, in addition to a rich heritage of some of the world’s finest gold and silver craftsmanship. It is estimated that approximately 80 percent of the world’s rubies and sapphires come through the Thailand’s Chanthaburi province, so the Land of Smiles is the ideal destination for original ring shopping.

Hip to be Square

Modern brides are not only breaking away from traditional round diamond engagement bands; an increasing number are also gravitating towards sleek square rings. Not only do bands in this shape offer something a little different and out of the ordinary, but they are often more comfortable because they don’t constrict the finger quite so much. The degree of curve inside the square varies, so getting your hands on a band that fits just perfectly could take some time. But then, all the best things are worth the wait – especially when it comes to the perfect engagement ring.

 

 

"The Signature Weddings is a bespoke destination weddings service offering a wide range of options to couples. However, some of the products and services mentioned in the blog articles on this page may not be available as part of the Signature Weddings' service."