My BF has mentioned an interest in getting me a ring for Xmas. That said, I cringe to think that he might get me a ring I don't like!! Before you jump on the bandwagon of what a cruel & shallow bitch I must be, Let me explain........ We've both been married before. He once told me that he got his ex wife a sizable Heart Shape Diamond, and in a way that implies that he LOVES that particular cut. I think Heart Shapes are cute, I feel they are REALLY tacky as an engagement center stone, and very much should be set aside for dress jewelry, teenage Promise rings, or something a parent would give their daughter on her sweet 16. While we are both very Young minded, We ARE both over 40. I personally have always been a huge fan of Pear, Cushion, Asscher, or best of all Flanders Cuts. Here comes the bad parts: I also have a bunch of extremely opinionated people for family. I will say this... They are split about evenly when it comes to this topic. 1/2 are on the side of the fence that is practically abusive in their opinions about the measure of the man and his ability to provide - being equated with the size of the rock(s) in the ring he presents you with. The other 1/2 of my family is the bible thumping bunch that thinks its shameful to have either money & success, or a large stone because you're "Flaunting" your money. Personally, I'm more middle of the road & think that Gemstones of any kind are nothing more than sparkly mineral decorations. Which I like........... a LOT!!!! (Hey, I may be a very practical person, but I'm still very much a girly-girl way down deep!) Furthermore, I'm opposed to buying "new natural diamonds". I simply believe it is Highly Irresponsible both environmentally & socially! Considering what the mining process involves doing to the earth. As well as the impact it has on the local population/community(s). Not to mention the conditions people are made to work under. I don't feel that anyone should be maimed for life or die, just so I can have a Traditional stone which the only person who can tell what it really is- is a jeweler with a loupe! I'm not a sheep like that. All my blathering aside...... He knows how I feel about Natural Vs. Manmade. We've had that discussion when he noticed I was perusing a “lab-gem” jewelry site, while looking at rings as a gift for my mom. (He thought something else & brought it up! LOL) ANYWAY: I know it sounds like I'm putting a lot of emphasis on the ring and not the relationship. I wouldn't even be thinking about it if I wasn't subject to opinions. I love my family, I don't want either of us to have to hear any static from them about it on either side. As well as, I don't want Peers &/or Colleagues thinking he's my "kept man". Personally, I'd just as soon have only a wedding band ring and just be happy. But it seems to be a traditional necessity thing & He's already said I would have to wear it at least for events & functions, if we ever did get married. Being that’s how he feels about it, I’d rather start with the simple band for engagement and get the ring with the stones during the vows. To sum it all up, I'm an artsy fartsy type, so just for entertainment I've had an old custom design Idea I've been piecing together for years with the thought of submitting it for Mass production for as long as I can remember. I REALLY want to love the ring he gives me, So I'm hoping to get some input about a way to tell my BF of my aversion to heart shape cuts & that I'd like to have a part in designing the ring. Any suggestions on how to do that without totally offending him?