Inside The Blue Box

For a woman, getting an engagement ring might be one of the most eagerly anticipated parts of getting married. But how does one even begin to start looking for the perfect one? Here’s what you need to know before embarking on your quest

- CAROLINE SUGANDA

When my then-boyfriend now-husband subtly asked me what style of ring I liked, I instantly knew where that question was coming from. Yes, he was planning to propose. We were barely one year into the relationship then, and to be very honest, I hadn’t even been thinking about getting married.

In every industry, there’s always a name that instantly comes to mind when one thinks of a particular product or item. So automatically, I answered, “The Tiffany six-prong ring would be nice.” The truth is, I didn’t know much about engagement rings then, so I was simply banking on the one ring I’d heard of. After Googling to find out more about this legendary ring, I was sure I had made the right choice.

The ring I had given as my answer is famous for its six prongs holding up a round brilliant-cut diamond, which is known as the Tiffany Setting. Its design is simple yet thoughtful, qualities one appreciates in a ring that is meant to be worn for years. When viewed from the top, it looks like the diamond — three-dimensional and flawless — is floating above the band in its full glory. From the side, you can see how the six prongs hold the diamond high so that light can pass through and highlight the brilliance of the stone. This also allows another ring, like a wedding band, to be worn nicely next to it without leaving a gap.

Introduced in 1886 by Charles Tiffany as a symbol of true love, the Tiffany Setting is the world's first engagement ring as we know it today. With a design so classic and timeless, no one could have imagined that the Tiffany Setting was an innovative feat of the time as such a setting was unusual, given that most jewellers then set diamonds in a bezel setting.