Today’s couples often like to break the mold. Tradition is great for many couples, but others are often looking for modern alternatives and ways to make their relationship unique. One of the many ways couples like to move away from tradition is in their choices for engagement rings. When looking for a modern engagement ring, there are a few things you should keep in mind. If you’re in the market for a modern engagement ring, here’s your ultimate guide! From the history of engagement rings to our favorite silicone ring designs, we’ll cover it all. THE HISTORY OF THE ENGAGEMENT RING Using rings to show love isn’t a new idea. Back in ancient times, Egyptians and Romans would wear rings to show marriage or love for others. In fact, Egyptians believed in what they called the “vein of love”, which was the thought that there was a vein in the fourth finger of your left hand that went straight to your heart. Of course, modern scientists have since proved this to be fake, but many people today still wear their wedding bands on the fourth finger of their left hand. Even the Celtic cultures’ Claddagh rings involve the fourth finger of each hand and, in the Middle Ages, men would give women posy rings or rings inscribed with lines of poetry or song that expressed their love and devotion. Did you know that engagement rings, on the other hand, aren’t a centuries-old tradition? That’s right! Engagement rings didn’t rise in popularity until much more recently. While married couples have worn rings to indicate their commitment for decades, engagement rings are a different story. Realistically, engagement rings have only been around for the past 80 years or so. Considering how many couples post on Instagram about their engagement and how often couples are asked when they’re taking the “next big step,” it’s amazing to see just how new the idea of an engagement ring is. Engagement has been a big part of our culture for a long time, but the idea of wearing a ring to symbolize engagement isn’t as old as we think it is. Diamonds as engagement rings especially didn’t gain popularity until diamond mining company De Beers and New York ad agency Ayers put together a campaign that (for all its intents and purposes) manipulated most Americans into believing that a diamond — and a large one, at that — was the only way you could measure your partners’ love for you. Of course, we all know deep down the diamond and its size aren’t the cornerstone of a marriage, but the ad campaign worked. Today, most couples spend about $6,000 or more on a diamond engagement ring. The irony? Most women don’t care about the size of the diamond, instead wanting a quality piece. They care more about the color, cut and clarity of the diamond more than its size. And, since diamonds of high quality tend to be more expensive than large diamonds of poor quality, it makes sense why the average cost is so high. That also might have something to do with the second part of the De Beers/Ayers ad campaign — the recommended cost of a ring. De Beers and Ayers advertised that a man should spend about two to three months of their salary on an engagement ring since, ideally, the marriage would last for the rest of their lives and the ring would become an heirloom to be passed down through the family. This became the justification for men who made less than $50,000 a year spending anywhere between $8,000 to $10,000 on a diamond engagement ring. As a result of their successful campaign, sales in the diamond and jewelry industries soared. This line of financial thinking is still around today, and many men spend the first few years of their entry-level jobs stashing cash away for the day they decide to pop the question. Here at QALO, we recognize the importance of wedding and engagement rings to couples. But, we’re here for the things about a marriage and partnership that truly matter — commitment, respect, communication and, above all, love. That’s why our silicone rings are simple but effective. You can showcase your personality and love for your partner without having to sacrifice your finances. And, as your marriage changes and evolves, so can your ring. Different stages of life might mean different needs. Our stackable collection of wedding bands for women is great for when you get engaged, married and have your first child or buy your first house. You can celebrate each marriage milestone or anniversary with a new ring, all without wrecking your finances or sacrificing the important parts of your marriage. THINGS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER WHEN SHOPPING FOR AN ENGAGEMENT RING Regardless of whether or not you choose a diamond engagement ring, there are some things you should consider before purchasing a ring. Here are our best tips! FINANCIAL SITUATION. We don’t believe that a man — or anyone, really — should have to wreck their finances spending money on an engagement ring. You should consider your financial situation long and hard before purchasing an expensive engagement ring. Since most women prefer a quality piece over something gaudy, you might be able to save some costs when shopping. CAREERS. What kind of careers are you and your partner in? Our men’s wedding bands (and, yes, men can wear engagement rings too!) are perfect for first responders, medical professionals, athletes and even mechanics or military personnel. Because our Q2X rings can withstand heats up to 450° Fahrenheit, they make for a great alternative to metal or diamond bands. LIFESTYLE. Do you all travel, hike or work out frequently? Silicone rings are the best choice if you live an active lifestyle. With a silicone ring, you don’t have to worry about damaging the material, losing the ring or destroying the diamond and ts value. Silicone rings are also great for everyday activities, such as grocery shopping or even cleaning the house. Silicone rings are also water resistant, so you can wear them while showering or swimming — something you aren’t supposed to do with a diamond ring. YOUR PARTNERS’ WISHES. Let’s be real here — you shouldn’t be purchasing an engagement ring without your partners’ input. While many couples want an element of surprise to their engagement, your engagement shouldn’t come out of left field. You two should be on the same page about what you both want out of your relationship and life. Talk about whether they want a diamond engagement ring to wear during special occasions and a silicone ring to wear for everyday use or if you want to invest in ring insurance. Discuss color, diamond shape and even their ring size before going to the store. While you can still surprise them in how you give the ring, the ring itself shouldn’t be a surprise, and they should know that it’ll be given to them soon. MODERN ENGAGEMENT RING IDEAS Today’s engagement rings come in a variety of styles. Here are some of our favorite modern engagement ring ideas! ENGRAVED. Did you know you can engrave a silicone ring? That’s right! Here at QALO, we proudly offer engraving on a majority of our rings. Whether you choose to engrave your rings with your initials, anniversary date or even something that’s intimate and personal to the two of you, we’d love to help you create the perfect custom ring. Engraving makes your ring entirely unique — something that many modern couples enjoy. TEXTURED. Some of our silicone rings have fun textures that make for a unique ring. Ridges, points and even rounded edges all make for fun and unique modern engagement rings they’re sure to love. We also have two-toned rings that feature a fun cut-out texture. With the top layer cut out to show a different color underneath, we have rings that feature mountainscapes or other engravings that create a unique texture on them — perfect for anyone who wants a subtle hidden message! STACKABLE. Our stackable collection is popular among women. Stackable rings are great because you can add a ring at different points of your relationship. They come in a variety of colors and textures, each as unique as the next. They look great on any finger, and they allow for you to tell a fun and interesting story through your rings! REPRESENTATIVE. Did you know we have a collection of rings specifically dedicated to first responders and military service? That’s right — whether you’re looking for a set of rings that represents the thin blue line or a set of rings that features the colors of the Army, we’ve got a set of engagement rings for you. These rings are perfect for anyone who has an affiliation with any of those groups and wants to showcase their representation. PROUD. Love is love is love is love, and at QALO we celebrate everyone. Our Proud collection of silicone rings features fun rainbow designs and engravings that allow you to show pride in yourself and your relationship. You shouldn’t have to hide your love for your partner, and our Proud collection is perfect. We’ve also partnered with The Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide and crisis intervention organization for young LGBTQ adults and dedicate 10% of sales from our Proud collection to their organization. HOW TO ORDER A MODERN ENGAGEMENT RING Order your modern engagement ring in just a few simple steps! DETERMINE THE RING SIZE. Ring sizing is one of the most important parts of ring shopping. Without a proper ring size, you can unfortunately end up having to return it and reorder or take the painstaking steps to resizing. To properly size for a ring, you can either measure the other rings your partner has or use a piece of string to measure the circumference of their finger. Cut the string where it overlaps, and then use a ruler or measuring tape to determine how long the string is. Use that to determine the numerical size, and you should be good to go! If you think they’re in between sizes, always order a size up. You could also order two sizes so that they can try both and choose the one that they feel fits them best. ORDER EARLY. Shipping delays happen. If you’re planning a big to-do and engagement party for your partner, then be sure to order their engagement ring well in advance. If you’re ordering a diamond ring, then be sure to order it at least two to three months out. Our silicone rings can get to you within a matter of weeks, but engraving will take a little longer. Either way, you shouldn’t wait until a few days before you want to pop the question to order their engagement ring. BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. We’ve talked a lot about how important your financial situation is to ordering an engagement ring. It’s important that, when ordering your ring, you take into account shipping costs and taxes. If you’re customizing your ring, such as with engraving or working with a jeweler to come up with a truly custom and one-of-a-kind design, then you’ll be spending more money, possibly on design fees. Budgeting for your ring is an essential part of engagement ring shopping. You could research rings online or visit a store to get general quotes and pricing so that you can start to budget for when you’re ready to buy. BE EXCITED. If there’s anything we really want you to do here at QALO, it’s be excited! You’re ordering an engagement ring. This is a huge step in your relationship, and it’s just one way that you’re closer to marriage with your partner. Engagement is a sign of commitment and trust between you and your partner, which means that you’ve decided this is the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. There isn’t anything much more special than when you order an engagement ring (besides actually walking down the aisle, of course!).