Men, take note! A special feature on brands of proposal rings that women are happy to receive, categorized by type.

2024.09.30 published

I Want to Be Particular About the Proposal Ring Too!

Recently, I heard from an acquaintance that he proposed to his girlfriend.

As a person involved in the wedding idea site "marry" for brides-to-be, I wanted to ask various questions like "What about the ring?!", "Where and how did you propose?!", and "What are your wedding plans?!" He told me that he bought a dedicated proposal ring and that they would go choose a ring that she really wants later.

(A proposal ring is a special ring for proposals that is different from an engagement ring, typically costing between 10,000 to 20,000 yen, unlike engagement rings that can cost hundreds of thousands. It’s more of a dummy ring used for the moment when he kneels and opens the box. Usually, an engagement ring is purchased separately.)

Knowing a fair amount about rings, I asked, "You know there are dedicated proposal rings, right? How did you find and decide on your proposal ring...?" He replied, "I can’t even remember the brand."

Ah, I see. Among men, the understanding of a proposal ring is usually just that—a dedicated proposal ring. It's rare for them to research into various brands, styles, or designs within that category...!

But from a woman's perspective, even if it's a rhinestone dummy ring, it would be nice if it were as cute as possible, as it’s a memorable item that one would like to wear and go out with on anniversaries. Ideally, it would be from a brand... don’t you think?

*By the way, the proposal ring that my acquaintance chose was from Vendôme Aoyama, which is the most famous (?), known for its proposal rings.

I’ve seen it too, and the part shaped like a diamond is large and looks like a candy; it’s very cute.

➡ Here it is

In this article, I would like to introduce some cute and desirable proposal rings that I know of for men who are looking for a proposal ring.

Desired Proposal Ring ① BELLE BLANCHE

The proposal ring from the brand Belle Blanche features a design full of dreams that makes you excited and is adorable.

From a top-down view, it looks like a normal simple engagement ring, but from the side, it has the message "Will you marry me?" on the band, showcasing its elaborate design.

The Belle Blanche brand is an original brand created in an atelier by a long-established jewelry store in Okayama that carries high-end brands around the world (TOMIYA).

There are heart-shaped stones and pink options too! ♡

Some stones even reflect to show "YES," which is pretty amazing, isn’t it?

➡ Here is the detailed page for the BELLE BLANCHE proposal ring

Desired Proposal Ring ② NIWAKA

If you like cute things but prefer a more natural feel, and you're not particularly brand-conscious, the proposal rings from NIWAKA might be great.

Known as PLEDGE for WEDDING, this is referred to as pre-engagement rings within NIWAKA.

➡ Here is the sales page

This brand is also popular and well-known for choosing genuine engagement and wedding rings, so opting for a proposal ring from NIWAKA increases the likelihood of also getting engagement and wedding rings from the same brand.

Many people might not know about this brand until marriage or registration because NIWAKA was a specialist in bridal rings. Now it has expanded into high jewelry, gaining a global presence.

However, since the price of their proposal rings starts at 30,000 yen, I personally think that’s a bit high...? (Belle Blanche is 16,000 yen, so it's almost double.)

Given that, I might rather want a nice dress for 30,000 yen... (Maybe it would even be better to invest that money...?) So, this option may not suit girlfriends with such practical thoughts.

Desired Proposal Ring ③ A Non-Brand Ring

If your girlfriend is the type who wouldn't mind having a cheap non-brand ring, just for the purpose of the proposal ceremony, and wouldn’t wear it afterward...

Choosing a non-brand ring for the proposal while focusing on a nice ring box that she might use in the future is also an option.

The cheapest dedicated proposal ring I found on Rakuten was 5,500 yen.

➡ Here it is

*By the way, if you are okay with international shipping from Amazon, they start selling rings for around 1,000 yen. You can expect to receive light, toy-like rings.

If you want to choose a practical ring box, how about the travel jewelry box from the well-known London brand STACKERS?

It may not have the traditional proposal feel, but I think it's something one should have at least once in their life, and I would be happy to receive it.

(I know women too well!)

➡ Other rings boxes that look like usual proposal boxes are sold for around 1,000 yen on Rakuten as well.

Additionally...

A chain with a single stone ring has been trending regularly on social media as "convenient to have one."

It’s a bit unconventional, but I thought it might be practical and delightful.

The chain can be adjusted, making it a free size that can fit on any finger, and it’s easy to stack with other accessories; it might not just be a dedicated proposal ring but could be useful moving forward.

➡ It is 9,980 yen on Rakuten.

Desired Proposal Ring ④ Conversely, a Genuine Diamond Ring

All the rings I’ve introduced so far have been made of zirconia (rhinestones), but there’s no reason to restrict proposal rings just to dummies or imitations.

If you look around, and if you’re not brand-conscious, you might find genuine diamond rings that are even cheaper than dedicated proposal rings. This might be an unexpected blind spot.

➡ For example, this one is 23,100 yen.

There’s also a chain ring with a genuine single diamond! And it’s only 19,800 yen.

➡ Plus, it features 0.1 carat!

No brand premium is needed for diamonds. Just being a diamond gives enough value.... So, looking for something that can be used as a fashion ring afterward, rather than buying a zirconia proposal ring, seems like a good option based on price.

Wouldn’t she be pleased to say, “I thought proposal rings were usually rhinestones, but he gave me a real diamond♡”?

Desired Proposal Ring ⑤ Swarovski

If your budget is around 30,000 yen and you want something you can wear in a fashionable sense in the future, while also being particular about design, the rings from Swarovski might be a good option.

The size and motifs are striking and glamorous, so if she likes this kind of thing, she would probably be happy and continue to wear it during dates in the future.

➡ There are various designs like this.

Desired Proposal Ring ⑥ Ferragamo's Vara Ring

“Oh, if the budget is 30,000 yen, I can buy a ring from Ferragamo! The Ferragamo ribbon ring is cute and something that I would be happy to receive and could use in everyday life.”

This became a topic of excitement within the marry team.

Priced at ¥ 25,300 (tax included), it is made of brass.

This design features Ferragamo’s signature Vara ribbon, which is used in bags, shoes, barrettes, wallets, and keyrings among other accessories.

If she happens to have any items from this series of Ferragamo, choosing this as a proposal ring would surely make her happy.

It’s also perfect for those who have given her something with the Vara ribbon design for past Christmas or birthdays.

➡ Here’s the official website page.

Desired Proposal Ring ⑦ A Cute Bear Ring!

✅ Not brand-conscious

✅ Not overly flashy

✅ Likes cute things

✅ Especially a fan of bears

I found an incredibly cute bear ring!

This is from a handmade brand specialized in bear-themed accessories called "Shirokuma no Houseki-ten."

➡ Here is the bear proposal ring sales page.

I dream of matching them when we have kids in the future and going out together...

Desired Proposal Ring ⑧ For Those Who Prefer Well-Known Brands

If you don't want a fashion ring as a proposal ring but instead want a proper dedicated proposal ring to do a standard proposal!

I researched domestic major brands that develop and sell products specifically for the box-opening ceremony, but surprisingly, there are not many options:

✅ NIWAKA

✅ Vendôme Aoyama

✅ Belle Blanche

Only these three brands.

🔽 By the way, I also summarized brands that do not sell dedicated proposal rings.

<Brands that do not sell proposal rings>

✅ 4℃ ➡ No proposal rings available (the pattern where diamonds are bought first, and design is discussed in-store after the proposal)

✅ Kei Uno (same as above, where diamonds are purchased first)

✅ Lapage (same pattern, where diamonds are purchased first)

✅ Bijoupiko (same)

✅ ith (same)

✅ Brilliance (same)

✅ Diamond Shiraisi (there are arms for proposal rings, but diamond purchase is required)

✅ Ai Primo (can be changed after purchase for proposal use)

✅ Tresente (none)

✅ Excelco Diamond (none)

By the way, foreign brands like Tiffany, Cartier, Chaumet, and Harry Winston, as well as Van Cleef & Arpels, do not have dedicated proposal rings as products.

The concept of a ring specifically for box opening might be a uniquely Japanese thing.

@ayumimu_wedding

Choose Based on Your Intentions and Your Girlfriend's Preferences 💍

Do you want the classic proposal ring? Or would you prefer a fashionable ring from a brand that’s affordable? Or perhaps, if the price is the same, your girlfriend would be happier with a genuine diamond?

I presented my recommended options regarding proposal rings.

There are actually multiple options beyond just dedicated proposal rings.

Consider what you want to do and what would make your partner happy, and create a great proposal plan.