(c/o) // (Under $5 drugstore option! Shade: “Just Garnet”) // Diamond rose ring (c/o – by Mint Diamonds)
They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend.
They were wrong.
Diamonds aren’t a girl’s best friend – the one who gives the diamond is.
Our world today is more materialistic than ever. It can oftentimes just feel like a neverending circle of shiny-object syndrome, chasing after societal success symbols to look good on Instagram. And oftentimes, we can forget what really matters along the way. We become obsessed with how many followers or likes we have on Instagram. We spend more time trying to craft “the perfect caption” than we did enjoying the moment that was captured to caption in the first place. We care about how things look more than how things are.
Here’s the thing:
Diamonds aren’t a girl’s best friend, but diamonds last forever.
Fabrics fade, social media platforms disappear, money comes and goes.
But diamonds? They’re heirlooms of love, able to symbolize a whole family history and beginning in just one stone. They’re so friggin’ cool, when ya think about ’em as more than just shiny objects. Realistically, most of us who aren’t named Taylor Swift aren’t rolling around in bathtubs of diamonds (or Benjamins, for that matter). Many of us who have any sorta diamond at all have one because it was given to us by someone who plans on being in our lives for just as long.
Everyone deserves love. Every one of YOU deserves love. Lovelovelove, to be exact. 😉
You deserve that once-in-a-lifetime love – that ultimate partnership + passion with the person who knows you and loves you best.
For any of my chicas in the house that think they’ve found “the one” (P.S. Here are 7 ways to know you’re ready to get married!) – grab your chico and listen up. We’re about to school yo’ man and put a ring on it. 😉 Some quick facts to know right off the bat:
- Your left hand fingers are going to be a bit slimmer than your right hand fingers.
- You’ve heard about the “4 C’s” of picking a diamond, but they’re not necessarily the most important/only factors. Something like Depth Percentage, for example, is HELLA important. What I learned: A diamond that is cut too shallow or too deep will not reflect light back towards the eye properly, therefore appearing dull and dark. (No bueno).
- Don’t be fooled: The biggest rock isn’t necessarily the BEST rock.
- No need to go broke in the process – you should be able to easily pay yourself back or payoff your investment within one year, tops.
- Going to a mass ring retailers isn’t necessarily going to be more cost-effective than a smaller shop with more personalized care + customization options. Don’t think stopping by the mall is your only option, even if your pockets are sweating.
ALSO – I 100% stand behind buying YOURSELF a diamond ring, justbecause. It might sound absurd, but honestly, we should be taking care of ourselves just as well as any partner would and/or could anyways! So pleasepleaseplease never feel like you *need* someone else as validation to have pretty things in life. If you want a diamond ring…save up + buy yourself that dream ring. Same with a Gucci bag or fabulous vacation – there doesn’t actually HAVE to be some specific event or reason to enjoy life as it comes.
TREAT YO’SELF.
Carrying on…
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When my friends at Mint Diamonds reached out about a partnership, I was beyond stoked. The CEO of Mint Diamonds, , is an absolute GEM (pun intended). This has been one of my favorite projects of all time because of him. Nick reached out to create me a ring especially for CUR. He said, “I know you’re already married, so we ‘d love to make you a custom rose ring for your right hand, to really embody Coming Up Roses.” Um okay yes sign me up. A rose isn’t just special to me cos of CUR (even tho it’s obviously a MASSIVE part of my life + I lovelovelove y’all so much). But my middle name is also Rose, after my nana, whom I friggin’ ADORE. This project has been so personal + so inspiring, and I couldn’t be more STOKED to share it with you finally. There’s just so much meaning in this ring, and I’m so incredibly honored that Nick reached out for such a special, meaningful project. Which is exactly what you would + could + should get in ANY diamond ring, especially if it’s from the lovelovelove of yo’ life.
So, back to Mint Diamonds + Nick.
He is the poster child of professionalism and class. He runs the company, he wrote the book, he designed the ring himself – he does it all. The entire process was just so dang personal. If you’re looking at something like an engagement ring (or, if your man is…*hint hint*), you really want someone who can make a ring as special as you + your love. Nick does that. He handpicks the diamond. He designs a piece to match your essence. You really end up feeling like you have this insanely gorgeous, invaluable piece of jewelry that was made just for you…because that’s exactly what you end up getting.
“This is, hopefully, a once-in-a-lifetime event, so why not make it a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You could go down to the local “cookie-cutter” retailer, with their awkward salespeople and huge overhead, and overpay for something that a million other people have. But would that really do your partner and unique relationship justice?”
Nick wrote a book: “The 8-Step Guide to the Perfect Engagement Ring.” The above is a quote from the preface, which also includes a snapshot of Nick’s own love story that’ll have you tearing up. The guy just gets it. Really, this book could aptly be re-titled “How to Buy a Diamond 101.” It’s SUCH an insanely helpful resource – and it’s actually all right there on the Mint Diamonds (click “8-step guide” on the top!). I literally learned something new on page 1. Nick plays it straight, so he tells ya *exactly* what ya need to know most, from how much you should actually budget to what the heck the “C’s” really indicate (hint: cut is most important!). He walks you through everything from finding ring size and choosing your jeweler (and he’s so genuinely helpful, he doesn’t even turn it into self-promo. This guy is a true GEM, I’m tellin’ ya!), to designing your ring and choosing the main rock (this is SO DANG THOROUGH). It also includes hella helpful advice on insuring your ring and caring for it, which is a wee bit important seeing as it’s something you’ll have for, um, ever.
I could’ve just summarized the book in this post, but that really wouldn’t do it justice – it’s just SUCH a helpful resource (seriously, poke through it – it’s fascinating.). Jamie witnessed this entire process and said after, and I quote, “Man, I wish I knew this guy when I was getting your ring! I would’ve used him in a heartbeat!” J put in hours upon hours of research online to try and find the info that Nick puts so eloquently in a hyper-organized, comprehensive <100 pages. Fellas, you can order a pre-designed ring for your gal. OR, you can have a custom ring designed, which I 10000000% recommend. But no worries if your creativity stops at “Love you babe” on cards – you just need to know your partner, and Nick can take it from there. 😉 There’s actually an easy questionnaire on the Mint Diamonds website that you can take to get an idea of your design preferences – after that, the design team would set up a quick phone consultation with you, and within 72 hours you’d have a design mockup in your hands. Insanity. There’s something oh so special about having a one-of-a-kind piece that represents your one-of-a-kind relationship.
Your love is not generic. Your ring doesn’t have to be, either.
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What’s the story behind your diamond, if ya have one? What’s your favorite Mind Diamonds piece?
If not, what are you hoping for someday? Diamonds are a girl’s best friend – I’d loveloveloooooove to hear your sweet n’ sappy love stories behind your diamond AND, most importantly, your actual best friend/life partner/spouse/soon-to-be-spouse/etc. Drop ’em all below in a comment, wouldja?
Happy HUMP – we’re halfway to the weekend together!
**Thanks to Mint Diamonds, a , for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions + thoughts presented are entirely my own. Thank YOU for supporting the brands that support Coming Up Roses!