Temporary Engagement Rings: Surprise Now, Customize Later
By Gary A.
Edited by Brian M.
Published Mar 26, 2022
Edited on Nov 4, 2024
For couples seeking the perfect proposal without the pressure of finding the final ring, temporary engagement rings offer a flexible and meaningful solution while you plan for the ultimate investment later on.
- Introduction to Temporary Engagement Rings
- 7 Essential Tips for Buying a Diamond Temporary Engagement Ring
- Understanding Placeholder Rings
- Placeholder Rings vs Promise Rings
- Advantages of Temporary Engagement Rings
- Selecting the Right Temporary Ring
- How to Choose a Temporary Engagement Ring
- Proposing with a Temporary Engagement Ring
- Conclusion
- 7 FAQs
Introduction to Temporary Engagement Rings
We’ve heard a lot of proposal stories. True, some of our favorites will be those movie-worthy moments coordinated to the last second – sunset, butterflies released into the air at “Yes”, a photographer crouched in the bushes and two sparkling glasses of champagne on standby at a nearby picnic spot – but there will always be a special place in our hearts for those spur-of-the-moment proposals, where love takes the wheel.
An impromptu engagement is a great story to tell, but, unless you’ve got a savings account ready to take on a purchase worth thousands of dollars – or already know exactly what you want – closing the deal with a ring isn’t quite so simple. That, or it could just be that neither of you have any idea what sort of ring you want to make the ultimate investment into, and want to delay the decision until further notice.
Whatever your reasons, temporary engagement rings are a thing, and they’re a great option for plenty of people planning to get a permanent ring at some time or another. Here are the details…
Before we dive deeper into the specifics, here are some practical tips to help guide your decision-making process:
Now that you’ve got these practical tips, use Jeweler AI below to find the perfect engagement ring that suits your style and budget:Before we dive deeper into the specifics, here are some practical tips to help guide your decision-making process:
7 Essential Tips for Buying a Diamond Temporary Engagement Ring
- Tip 1:Prioritize Material Quality Durability Over Aesthetics: For a temporary engagement ring, it’s crucial to balance appearance with durability. Opt for materials that can withstand regular wear, even if they are not as luxurious as traditional choices. Consider sterling silver or a lower karat gold as cost-effective yet durable options.
- Tip 2:Choose a Suitable Gemstone Exploring Alternatives to Diamonds: While diamonds are the classic choice, consider alternative gemstones for a temporary ring. Look for cubic zirconia or moissanite, which offer a diamond-like appearance at a fraction of the cost. These stones provide the sparkle needed for an engagement ring while keeping expenses low.
- Tip 3:Mind the Ring Design Simplicity and Style: For a temporary engagement ring, a simple yet elegant design can be more practical. Look for designs that mimic classic engagement rings but are less ornate. A solitaire or a small cluster setting can be ideal. The goal is to choose a design that your partner would love, yet distinct enough to make the eventual upgrade special.
- Tip 4:Consider Sizing Options Adjustable or Standard Sizes: Since the ring is temporary, opt for a ring with easy resizing options. Some temporary rings come with adjustable bands, making them a one-size-fits-all solution. If choosing a fixed size, make sure it’s close to your partner’s actual ring size for a comfortable fit.
- Tip 5:Evaluate the Setting Type Securing the Stone: The setting of the ring should secure the gemstone firmly. For temporary rings, a sturdy bezel or prong setting can ensure the stone stays in place. Avoid overly intricate settings, as they may require more maintenance and can be more expensive.
- Tip 6:Be Mindful of the Symbolic Value Conveying the Right Message: While selecting a temporary engagement ring, remember it’s a symbol of your commitment. Choose a ring that reflects the sentiment and love behind the proposal, even if it’s not the final piece.
- Tip 7:Balance Budget and Expectations Financial Prudence: Set a realistic budget for the temporary engagement ring. It should be a fraction of what you intend to spend on the permanent ring. This approach helps in allocating more resources for the final ring while still making the proposal special.
Now that you’ve got these practical tips, use Jeweler AI below to find the perfect engagement ring that suits your style and budget:
Understanding Placeholder Rings
Temporary engagement rings are often referred to as placeholder rings, or ‘token’ engagement rings. In either case, they refer to rings designed to symbolize your engagement until you’re able to find something you want to wear for the rest of your life.
Definition and Purpose
Plenty of couples agree that the proposal should be a surprise, but also want to be able to pick out the engagement ring together. A placeholder ring, used just for the proposal, is a great option for keeping the big moment traditional, without running the risk of a major disappointment over thousands of dollars’ worth of precious materials.
When used in this way, placeholder rings might only need to last a few weeks or months.
In other instances, placeholder rings are a great option if your finances aren’t quite up to speed with your readiness to get engaged. If you know the sort of ring you want but aren’t yet in a position to drop $10,000 on it, then a temporary engagement ring is the perfect solution. There are plenty of beautiful options out there, and they don’t need to disappoint. A temporary engagement ring may be worn for weeks, months, or years before it is upgraded.
Placeholder Rings vs Promise Rings
From time to time, shoppers get confused between promise rings and temporary engagement rings – and for good reason.
A promise ring is traditionally given as a symbol of someone’s commitment to getting proposed in the future, meaning that it acts as a sort of ‘placeholder’ for the engagement ring. For some couples, the line between a promise ring and a placeholder ring might be a lot blurrier than it is for others, so it all comes down to how you view your ring, and your proposal. So long as you’re both on the same page, that’s all that matters.
Advantages of Temporary Engagement Rings
There are a lot of advantages to temporary engagement rings. Different people will, of course, have different opinions on whether they’d rather wait to get engaged until after that dream ring has been found, or whether they’d prefer to get engaged and think about the ring later, but there’s nothing inherently wrong or disappointing about investing in a temporary ring first.
Role in Joint Decision-Making
In many cases – and particularly if your partner has some very specific ideas about what they want in their engagement ring, whether in regard to design or cost – it makes a lot more sense to hold off on the big spend until after you’ve popped the question already.
Ultimately, whether or not it’s a good idea will come down to what you know about your partner and their dream for the proposal. There’s a lot to be said for picking out an engagement ring for your partner, and for that moment you go down on one knee being the first moment they see what you chose, but it’s not the ‘ideal’ for everyone. Some people prefer joint decision-making, ensuring the ring is absolutely perfect.
Selecting the Right Temporary Ring
Anything can be used to keep that spot on your partner’s finger ‘engaged’ until the permanent ring arrives. If you’re still saving or settling on what you want, there’s a compelling case for the temporary engagement ring.
Factors to Consider
For some couples, a placeholder ring will be something very temporary, like a ring pop. For the majority, however, they’ll have been as carefully, thoughtfully, and intentionally chosen as the long-term ring will be in the future.
We would always recommend something that will last – something strong and of a high enough quality to withstand the test of time. And, for that reason…
How to Choose a Temporary Engagement Ring
- Start Small, Upgrade Later
Small diamond engagement rings can be beautiful, impressive, and incredibly romantic, even if they’re intended to represent a ‘steppingstone’ between the proposal, and a time when you can afford to buy the ring you always dreamed of.
As we mentioned above, whether or not this is the right decision for you and your partner will depend on how you feel about one day letting go of that initial diamond.
- Don’t Get the Size Wrong…
This may seem pretty obvious but, given the number of ring resizing orders jewelers go through every month, it will always be worth pointing out.
Your placeholder ring serves plenty of purposes, and two of the most obvious are reserving a space on your partner’s finger and, of course, being there for the first round of engagement photos. When your heart’s pounding nineteen to the dozen with the joy of being newly engaged, grappling with a ring that won’t go past your partner’s finger joint (or stay put by itself) can be a major disappointment, whether it’s destined for the long-term or short-term.
Don’t try to guesstimate it – check out our guide to choosing the right ring size for your partner first.
- …Or the Metal
While the diamond is undoubtedly the central focus for any traditional engagement ring, that doesn’t mean you can afford to overlook every other detail and just pick any setting to hold it in place. Remember that this ring is going to appear in photos, get flashed around to family and coworkers, and prove how well you know your partner – even if it hasn’t got ‘forever’ riding on it.
While your placeholder ring may not feature the same level of detail and opulence as your future ring, getting the metal right – whether your partner is a yellow gold traditionalist, or devoted to platinum and white gold – is a true ‘must’.
Look in your partner’s jewelry box and you’ll likely find a near-definitive clue over where their loyalties lie.
- Don’t Buy the First Thing You See
This is particularly important if you have plans to pick a ring together immediately after the proposal since it can be tempting to just pick out anything for the moment itself and not waste too much time overthinking something that’s going to be replaced anyway.
In case the last few points on our list didn’t make the point clear enough, this really isn’t the way to do it. Do not blow your budget on something you’ve spent days picking out, but don’t go too far in the opposite direction by just picking any ring out of any case.
Our best advice? Do your research, brush up on your knowledge of your partner’s style and tastes, and take each step in the process as it comes.
- Budget first
The whole point of investing in a placeholder or temporary engagement ring is being able to propose without blowing through the budget you’ve saved for the engagement ring proper, or going beyond what you’re currently able to spend.
Sure, a placeholder ring costs significantly less than the engagement ring will (if it doesn’t, you’ve definitely got something wrong), but that doesn’t mean you can just drop money on it without thinking things through first.
- Choose together
These days, statistics show that more than 60% of couples are choosing to work together on finding an engagement ring. Some of these couples will choose to delay the engagement until after they find the ring together. However, if you like the idea of having your partner’s input, but don’t want to spoil the surprise of the upcoming proposal, it’s best to buy a placeholder ring instead.
Choosing an engagement ring together isn’t ‘traditional’, but it is fast becoming a modern tradition for couples across the country. There’s absolutely nothing wrong or disappointing about it, and, if you’re worried about figuring out your partner’s tastes by yourself, it could be your best option.
Proposing with a Temporary Engagement Ring
Our best advice is not to overthink it. Proposing with a placeholder ring, while not the most ‘traditional’ choice, has a load of benefits, and we’re pretty sure your partner will be too caught up in the moment to really process any logistical details.
Pop the question first, then explain your plans to take her shopping for her dream ring. It’s a win-win.
Again, this is totally down to personal preference, and those deep-seated expectations you and your partner have for the proposal. Most of us envision one partner going down on one knee, pulling out a ring, popping the question, then sliding it onto their finger and sealing the deal. But just because that’s what most people think of when they hear the word ‘proposal’, doesn’t mean it’s the only way to do it.
If you get engaged in a quiet moment, with nothing more than a well-phrased question, you can go through the process of finding an engagement ring, together.
Conclusion
There’s no objective answer to this question. While temporary engagement rings are a great solution to many of the common ‘sticking points’ people encounter when they start planning to propose, some of us will find it easier to break from tradition than others.
If you think you and your partner will enjoy shopping for the ring together when time and finances allow, then don’t second-guess your decision. Many, many couples choose to treat the ring used at the proposal as a placeholder for something bigger, better, and even more personal.
7 FAQs
- Q: What Is a Temporary Engagement Ring?
- A: A temporary engagement ring is a stand-in ring used during a marriage proposal, intended to be replaced later with a more permanent, often more expensive, engagement ring. It’s a practical solution for surprise proposals or when planning to choose the final ring together.
- Q: Can a Temporary Engagement Ring Still Be Stylish?
- A: Absolutely! Temporary engagement rings can be stylish and mimic the look of traditional engagement rings. They often feature cost-effective materials like cubic zirconia or moissanite, set in simple yet elegant designs.
- Q: How Much Should I Spend on a Temporary Engagement Ring?
- A: The cost should be significantly less than what you plan to spend on the permanent ring. It’s usually a small fraction of the price, enough to symbolize commitment but leaving room for the financial investment in the final ring.
- Q: Are Cubic Zirconia Rings Good for Temporary Engagement Rings?
- A: Yes, cubic zirconia is a popular choice for temporary engagement rings due to its diamond-like appearance and affordability. It’s ideal for those who want a budget-friendly ring that still looks elegant and sophisticated.
- Q: Can I Propose Without a Ring and Present a Temporary Ring Later?
- A: Yes, you can propose without a ring and present a temporary ring later, especially if you prefer to choose the final ring together. However, having a ring at the proposal can add a traditional and romantic touch.
- Q: Is It Important to Get the Size Right for a Temporary Engagement Ring?
- A: While getting the perfect size is ideal, temporary rings offer more flexibility. Many come with adjustable bands or standard sizes that can be resized later. The focus should be on the gesture rather than the perfect fit.
- Q: How Do I Transition from a Temporary to a Permanent Engagement Ring?
- A: Transitioning involves choosing the permanent ring together after the proposal. It’s a shared experience that can make selecting the forever ring more meaningful. The temporary ring then becomes a cherished keepsake or can be repurposed.
