Before I discuss the sheer fabulosity of my engagement ring, I would like to make it clear that I absolutely loathe conformity.  I teach in a community where there are thousands of houses that look alike, where the parents are alike, and when you look across the street at the community that surrounds our school all you see is rows upon rows of conventionality and normalcy.  No thanks, not for me.

For my engagment ring, I did not do the suburban white or yellow gold solitaire that was purchased in the mall and would easily pair with a wedding band that had an amount of diamonds that was commensurate to either the amount of money your boyfriend has, or perhaps the amount he loves you?  I was never able to figure that out, maybe my public school education is the reason that this proportion has always eluded me.

My boyfriend spent $500 dollars on a rose gold and pink amethyst ring with tiny diamonds on the band, at which point we went to a local jeweler who took out the amethyst (since they are very soft, easily scratched, and not practical for everyday wear), tucked it away for a future piece, and replaced it with a vibrant pink lab-created sapphire that is unique, representative of my personality, and did I mention MASSIVE?  The jeweler warned me that a rock the size of my setting might get really pricey, and I braced myself when I got the call that she had found one in another city for the whopping price tag of ... $200.  Two hundred dollars?!  I’ll take two!