Engagement And Wedding Ring Styles You May End Up Regretting

In some ways, picking a ring is really similar to choosing who to marry. Like a life partner, you want a ring you can love forever, and one that won't eventually make you say, "What on Earth was I thinking?" You also want something that fits your personality, as well as something you're proud to show off. And while having a great marriage has nothing to do with how pretty your ring is, loving your forever band is definitely a bonus.

If you're in the market for an engagement or wedding ring, it's a good idea to have a map of the common pitfalls to avoid. While the right ring choice is deeply personal and influenced by taste, certain ring styles have built-in problems that can overshadow how gorgeous they are. Knowing these issues ahead of time gives you an edge because you can look for similar styles without these problems.

To get a thorough breakdown of the engagement and wedding ring styles you may end up regretting, we spoke to an expert. Our diamond expert, Mike Fried, is the CEO of The Diamond Pro, and he's also received training around the globe on every aspect of rings and diamond certification. In our exclusive chat, he says that his most important advice is to follow your heart, not the trends. "Take time to consider what you'll love long-term and what matches your own personal style," he tells Glam, "because that matters more than any trend."

If your tastes lean toward delicate designs, such as pavé rings, you should know that they're not the easiest to clean because of their nooks and crannies, and even a month of wear may show dirt. There are a ton of DIY jewelry cleaning hacks that aren't worth trying, especially for engagement and wedding rings, and while ultrasonic cleaners are really popular, they can potentially loosen gemstones.

Similarly, if you choose a ring design with side stones, such as a baguette or pavé, you may lose one of the stones as time goes on — and you may not notice until it's too late. If you have your heart set on a delicate style, however, it's certainly doable with a few tweaks. After all, as Mike Fried exclusively tells Glam, pavé rings are forever elegant. "If you want more character while still being classic, you can't go wrong with a pavé band or vintage style (if that's your taste)," he says.

A great workaround would be contacting a custom jeweler for engagement and wedding rings. Most people assume that they can't afford custom help, but this isn't always true. Plus, remember that asking for rates is always free. A custom jeweler can help you design a ring that's easier to clean, has security for your stones, and still looks like what you have in mind.

Engagement and wedding rings are pretty sentimental, and no one likes to get scratches on them. Sure, a jeweler can polish a scratched ring, but if it gets scratched heavily and frequently, it can take some of the joy away. To avoid this, it's helpful to know if your chosen metal scratches easily. "As far as metals go, sometimes people regret purchasing 18K gold, because while it looks nice, it scratches more easily than 14K gold," Mike Fried tells Glam exclusively. "We often recommend 14K gold for engagement rings because it's a great mix of purity, durability, and value for the money."

Additionally, it's important to know that mixing metals on your ring can make it more susceptible to wear. The softer metal will wear out first, and you'll obviously need to get it fixed. This is also something to consider when picking a matching wedding ring. If your engagement ring is made from one metal and your wedding band from another, the constant friction will affect the softer metal. An easy solution to this is to get a spacer band, which will prevent your wedding and engagement rings from rubbing against each other. If you haven't picked out your engagement ring yet, this is an opportunity to choose the best metal for your engagement ring and consider how it'll look and work with your wedding band.

An engagement or wedding ring is a piece of jewelry you'll wear every day, so it shouldn't just look good; it should also be comfortable. One of the most common regrets people have is picking rings that are uncomfortable due to the band or gemstone. According to Mike Fried, who has a helpful guide to diamond shapes, one example is this popular type of diamond: "Marquise diamonds have two pointed ends, which can make them more susceptible to snagging or damage." So, if you lead a lifestyle where this could be an issue, you might want to look for something else that's just as exquisite.

Some people also find knife-edge diamonds, which have pointy edges, to be uncomfortable. Similarly, super-thin bands give the minimalist vibe, but may dig into your fingers, so test them before you purchase. Finally, you may want a band with rounded edges, not straight or flat ones, so they feel smooth and don't stab your fingers.

Something else to note is that discomfort isn't always due to the style of the ring — it can also be about personal style. For example, the bezel setting for engagement rings is perfect for sophisticated brides, but it might not be for everyone. "Thicker bands and bezel settings were more popular in the 1970s and 1980s, due to their bold fashion. But those styles aren't as timeless," Fried says. "People can regret having a ring that is no longer stylish or that doesn't meet their true personal style." He also adds that cathedral or high-prong settings with the diamonds sitting higher on the finger may cause discomfort because they're "more likely to snag on clothing or furniture."

High-maintenance ring styles aren't for everyone, and sellers may not divulge this before you fall in love and make the purchase. Some stores, for example, include in their warranty that you have to send your ring in on a particular schedule to be eligible for a warranty. This will leave you without your ring repeatedly. Similarly, some types of gold, such as white gold, need to be replated on schedule, so you have to either stick to the arranged setup or consider something else.

Certain styles, like pavé rings, are also high-maintenance for a number of reasons. The multitude of prongs will likely wear out and are pricey to fix. You'll certainly need a lifetime relationship with your jeweler to keep it in good shape. Another example is cluster engagement rings, which are quirky and elegant but could require a significant amount of maintenance depending on the setting. If you aren't up for rings that require maintenance, check with your jeweler on how much care is needed, and don't commit to a ring without fully checking the seller's warranty. If you plan to keep your ring forever, this is a necessary step.

However, if you're all for simpler styles that are classic and stand the test of time, look no further. Mike Fried shares his recommendations exclusively with Glam, telling us, "Round cut, emerald, or oval diamonds tend to be the most timeless shapes for engagement rings." He adds, "Round cut and oval offer the most brilliance, while emeralds have a beautiful rectangular design, and appear large for their carat weight."

If you recently got engaged, you're naturally excited, but if you pick the first ring that catches your eye, you're likely to have regrets. There are a lot of decisions to make before committing to a ring, from the band to the gem and the setting, but many people don't know that picking one feature often pre-selects another for you. For example, if you're going with a large gemstone, you may need a thicker band for structural integrity.

Also, if you want your ring to sit flush, you'll need to plan your wedding band alongside the engagement ring. If your weight fluctuates (which is completely normal!), you'll also want a resizable band to save you stress as the years go by. An important tip is to remember that a tight budget doesn't have to dictate your tastes. Your pick doesn't have to make the list of the most expensive rings in the world, but you also don't have to pretend to like an heirloom piece if you don't. To find what works for you, start by checking sites like Reddit for reviews on sellers and asking for quotes from custom jewelers. 

Finally, don't allow the engagement excitement to make you feel rushed. Mike Fried puts it best, exclusively telling Glam, "We recommend looking at several shapes and settings to see what resonates with you and your partner." If you don't know what tickles your fancy, Fried's list of 17 engagement ring styles and settings you should be considering is a good place to start. Or, if you want something less traditional, we have a roundup of non-traditional engagement rings that may be more your speed. Just remember: Don't let yourself feel pressured. If you make a mistake, you can always get an upgrade.