2 weeks ago I received a FedEx package. It was a ring I'm going to propose with. From Diamonds By Lauren (DBL) - a classic micropave halo in platinum split shanks with a 0.42ct K/SI2 Henri Daussi-cut cushion diamond center.

Here's the thread link:-
http://coloreddiamon...ich-dbl-halo-ring/0/

Why DBL?

It had to do with my choice of center stone. I didn't want a round brilliant. As beautiful as it is, a round brilliant's cut represents 'perfection' and that is simply not 'me'. I'm a 'bruised and battered' guy. The last 10 years had been tough on me; my business nosedived, my marriage failed, I lost my home and I no longer got to read bedtime stories to my little girl. Yet through it all not once did I stop thinking that life is beautiful.

It took me 3 years to pick up the pieces. I had nothing when I met her. Yet she love me anyway. That's when I knew how beautiful life can truly be.

The diamond that would best represent me has to be imperfect yet beautiful and has an air of old world charm about it. Most of all, it must have character. Many of the sales people at modern brick and mortar jewelers know the 4Cs of their brilliant cuts but are clueless about the elusive 5th 'C' - 'character'. I suppose only those who are truly passionate about diamonds understand what I was talking about. My search just got harder.

As luck would have it, I stumbled upon DBL's site while researching fancy cuts and fancy colored diamonds. Something about DBL struck a chord within me. Here's a place where an imperfect diamond gets showcased. Despite the imperfections, the beauty of the diamond is not diminished. I grew to respect the approach that DBL has taken. The owner, David, gets all excited whenever he unearths what I call 'flawed' beauties. The passion is obvious. Here is someone I could work with.
Another endearing was the fact that DBL was named after his daughter, Lauren.   

I took an instant liking to the classy halo style when I first saw the pictures. The antique-ish cut and color of the cushion was more 'ME'. The ring was a Henri Daussi creation i.e. it was not made by DBL but had been given a throrough inspection by DBL - neither cut nor quality was compromised. And that was a guarantee or I'd get my money back. 

Still, I was undecided between 2 similarly cut rings and began to entertain thoughts about other styles/cuts. At no time did I felt 'rushed' into a purchase. David was very patient and entertained many of my queries. He even brought out a few other halo style cushions for me to look at. Members of this forum also helped me a great deal, offering advice and learned opinions. It was like I was in the company of siblings who were looking out for me. I really felt 'looked after'. Thanks, guys!

But try as I might I could not forget the first halo. I did not realise it at first until one of the regular forum members pointed it out. She was right! Of the rings I have viewed, this particular one 'spoke' to me the loudest. The fact that the ring retails at 50% more made the decision even easier. Within a week of payment, arrangements were made to ship the ring halfway across the globe.

Now I'm the proud keeper of a very beautiful designer-cut diamond ring and I hope the future owner will love it as much as I do... But no doubt this ring will add the 'props' to my proposal.  All thanks to Diamonds By Lauren.


 


   

I hope you both love the ring over many, many happy years together.

I enjoyed reading your testimonial, DH.

It was a fun process to be a little part of and I too hope you'll stick around.

Jen

Nope, she doesn't have a clue that we have picked this ring after a rather drawn out but no less excting process. But I plan to reveal this forum after I propose to her.  When is that going to be? I'm thinking of Sep 9, 2009 since '9' is her favorite number...

Wow DH- I just read this for the first time- I am so touched!!

I am also divorced- an I know how tough it is to put everything back together.
I am beaming with pride after reading your letter.

I think you have realized how emotional this business is.
For some sellers, it's strictly about the love of profit.
AS you know, there are sellers that have established "ideal" as what people want- and have g0one to great lengths to reinforce that idea.

Sometimes I've felt that there's so much invested in that type of thinking that any opposing viewpoint is aggressively attacked.

A shame really- but your post- and your actions- prove without a doubt that there are a lot of people who are actually interested in beauty that's held in a person's heart- as opposed to a 35.7659.33445583% crown angle......

I love the idea of 9/9/09 since 9 is her favorite number!

You are killing me. How in the world are you going to wait that long?

Always the witty one, aren't you?   

Amazing advice DH- Jen is one of the smartest people I know- advice like this shows why I feel that way....

Lol OMC. A breakfast proposal, eh? Can't use the candles then..

Thanks for the sound advice, Jen. I'd be lying if I say I had never thought of it that way. It's always in my head. Every single day. I got the ring not out of impulse, but out of love, and it is something I'd want with me in case I want to bring forward the proposal date. Yes, because of those very same thoughts, Jen. It helps that the ring 'called' out to me... I could post you more ring shots if you want.
 
As a pre-empt, I did get her a 'promise ring' (a delicate diamonds in floral motif ring) last August after 9 mths into the relationship and she knew that I've been reading up about diamonds and checking out diamond rings for the past few months. She's a smart lady... I'm sure she knew it's not gonna be on her birthday, so it's either before or after. And I think she suspect I would spring the surprise on 9 September 2009 since 9 is her favorite number.

GG, getting married by 9 Sep 2009 would be a great idea but we won't be able to pull it off, at least not with her parents' blessing. And her stepdad is kinda resistant to the idea of her marrying a 'divorcee'...which is somewhat ironic since he married one himself. My gf is not even of his blood. We need this little time to 'phase me in'... Yeah, it's a little complicated.        

I admire your sensitivity here, DH. Ironic, yes, but, at least your GF's stepfather "knows" what he is talking about through direct knowledge and experience. Like any good parent, he's just looking out for his [step]daughter's best interest. I can't blame him for that. If it were my daughter, I'm afraid that I'd be giving her the same advice... and, "ironically" I've married two "divorcees" myself.

Regardless, it sounds like although you've not finalized your plans, you'll know when the time for the "official" proposal is right. Like everything else so far, it will all fall into place. Besides, what's wrong with a little candlelight and diamonds during breakfast?

DH
I`ve just caught up with your threads and your choice of ring and the thought you put into it is wonderful.
I was saddened to hear you don`t feel it`s the right time to propose because of her family and I empathize with you but be careful that finding the " right " time doesn`t take too long. Sometimes families just need to be thrown into the deep end and left to get used to it. I speak from experience.
Late last year I met someone and within weeks we knew that neither of us wanted to be apart from the other. Sadly his wife had died early last year, my husband died several years ago and we`re both heading towards the big 60th birthday. You`d think family and friends would just wish us well and leave us to get on with it because we`ve both suffered enough and deserve happiness. Not so.
His 35 year old daughter, who`se married, hardly a child and a Mother herself, was hell bent on parting us. If he was with me she constantly text him or rang him for the most silly reasons, she actually told him she was disgusted he could even think of having another partner at " his age " and the one thing which hurt the most was when she said he was disrespecting his late wife by moving on and not mourning her for long enough. At this stage the girl had never even met me, refused to meet me and called me " that woman ! ".
Anyway seeing him hurt by his daughter and knowing she would always be there spoiling things between us saddened me to the point where I told him to go. The separation lasted just 3 days and then he decided to take his daughter to task.
To cut a long story short, she`s now met me, so have her children and she`s seen with her own eyes how happy me and her Dad are together. She still isn`t my busom buddy, doubt she ever will be but she was given the choice to get used to the idea because he told her I was non negotiable in his life whether she liked it or not.
In about a week`s time we`ll be engaged and he sprung it on me, he`d already ordered my ring ( he didn`t know about DBL but don`t worry I`ll educate him lol ) and we`re both as excited as two 16 year olds.
Grab the opportnity when YOU feel it`s right DH and even though your first test as a couple might be with her family, then at least you face it as a couple and not alone.
Good luck to you both.
Lynne

Lynne! That is wonderful news -- congratulations!!
Titania

Maybe?  MAYBE??? Hey friend--SHE'S your biggest supporter ... there's NO maybe's about it. Got it?

Besides--it's something she will never, ever forget. Who better than you to give her first diamond? Beat the scumbag, good for nothing, bum of a boyfriend from doing it first.

You got 7 years to save up...