The Ring

Since the original post about the engagement, a lot of people have asked to see the ring. The only reason I haven't showed it is because it's not done. My jeweler, i.e. Russ, wasn't able to acquire the stones in time (granted, I gave him only a few days).

But it turned out to be a good thing as the band is too small so now we can have it resized before having the diamonds placed.

For all those who can't wait until then, the pic above will have to suffice. It's an amazingly beautiful, artistic piece, hand crafted by James Binnion Metal Arts in Bellingham, Wash. The process used is called "Mokume Gane," a 17th century Japanese sword making and decorating technique that's only been reborn recently in the late 20th century as a technique for producing wedding and engagement bands.

It's so beautiful, I'm almost hesitant to blemish it with diamonds. Right now, it's flying somewhere over the continental U.S. to Bellingham for the resizing. Then it'll come back here so Russ can set the stones and then finally it will be placed on my lovely's hand.