

When the time is right, a man becomes ready to make a life-long commitment to being husband and wife with his partner. Popping the question is one of the many milestones that most men conquer in their lives. Choosing an engagement ring is one of the many aspects a man needs to plan before he kneels and asks the question. If you are a man scratching his head, pondering the many stunning choices in a pool of engagement rings, it may cross your mind to propose with a family heirloom, which can be a great choice. That said, we’ll give you the guidelines and etiquette when proposing to your wife-to-be with that precious family ring.



The Sentimental or the Cost-Saving Choice

Family heirlooms, as we all know, are priceless possessions passed down the generations as a gift and a symbol of family inclusion. There are instances when a man decides to propose with an heirloom ring as a way to save money for wedding preparations. In some cases, the heirloom ring is the best choice because it signifies a family tradition of welcoming an individual as part of the family.

Asking the One Who Wears the Family Heirloom

Just as nerve-wracking as asking your girlfriend to say yes to your proposal, you might get mixed reactions and raised eyebrows when asking to use the family heirloom as an engagement ring. A family heirloom carries the weight of a family’s tradition as well as the deceased family member’s memories. It should be valued as a gift from one family member to another.

If your family carries the tradition of sharing the family heirloom from one bride to another, then it’s an obvious choice to do so. However, if it isn’t, then it might be best to ask the wearer for her or his permission before using it as an engagement ring.

Making Tweaks to an Heirloom Engagement Ring

Once a family member agrees to give you the family heirloom, wholeheartedly thank them for such a meaningful gift. An heirloom engagement ring brings more magic and love to your engagement plans. Once it is in your possession, make sure to check:

Whether it is clean, or if it needs a quick cleaning by a trusted jeweller.

Whether it is damaged, in some cases, it needs to be repaired.

Whether it can be stored if you don’t plan to have the engagement soon because of maintenance cleaning, repairs or resetting.

Before rushing in and going ahead with the proposal, it is best to open up the idea of altering your mother’s ring to suit the wearer’s daily lifestyle, personality, and taste in fashion. Heirloom rings can be fragile and prone to damage because of their age. Some people may choose to add jewelry pieces such as love & promise gemstones to make it look modern and unique. If the original wearer of the family heirloom declines this idea and wants it to remain as it is, it’s best to have your future wife wear the family heirloom on special occasions or family gatherings.

If you’re blessed with the option of using a family heirloom as an engagement ring, make it a point to communicate your intention of adjusting or resetting it to the original wearer. If the family member agrees to your choice of resetting it, there are a variety of options that you can rely on, such as re-cutting and re-shaping the stone, changing, and replacing the band, or entirely making a new frame or setting for the stone. Make sure to have your engagement ring worked on by a trusted jeweler that sees your vision for the ring and at the same time, guarantees the highest level of service and craftsmanship.