One small thing about buying that ring...

Written by Darin J. McCann | Photography by Chelsea Fluharty Photography

‘One ring to rule them all. One ring to find them. One ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.’ — Gandalf, Lord of the Rings

Well, Middle-earth might not be at stake when you decide to take the plunge and purchase that ring for your intended, but there’s plenty to be conscious about as you do your research. The stone itself comes with enough questions — size, cut, clarity, etc., are the standard fare. Then there’s the band, and the decision over white or yellow gold, or silver, or platinum, or possibly a silicon ring that maybe focuses more on function over form.

As if you don’t already have enough on your plate with the aesthetics and practicality of the ring, the perfect time/location to pop the question, a nagging fear that your intended’s father or mother might choose to cause you bodily harm before they allow you to forge a forever bond with their child and, well, if you will even get the answer you hope for, there’s one other little factor to consider: What size ring do I buy?

Just coming out and asking a ring size comes with a possible tsunami of negative outcomes. One, it’s pretty much a dead giveaway that you have a plan. Two, you’re embarking on one of the clumsiest conversations of your life. And, three, what if you have already been given this information and didn’t think enough of it to remember?

Not good, my friend. Not good at all.

But, fear not. Delaware Seaside Bride is here to help you find out that ring size, without giving away your intentions or admitting that your mind is sometimes focused on what happened in that latest episode of “Better Call Saul” instead of listening to your better half when they are sharing.

Phone a friend

This seems like a pretty straightforward route and should result in solid intelligence.

Call one of your target’s friends or relatives, let that person in on your secret plans and have that individual get the information. It’s natural for a friend to initiate a conversation that could result in sharing ring sizes, or a parent to ask that question, particularly if it’s near your intended’s birthday or other significant holiday.

Just don’t ask the one who isn’t creative enough to get this information naturally. You know the one I’m talking about. There’s always one.

A dummy ring

This one can be a little more costly than some of our other options, but it’s pretty solid. Stumble into a jewelry store while at a mall or out window shopping, purchase another ring for your special person as a “spur of the moment” purchase, and take note of the size.

Oh, and make sure this “dummy ring” is for that ring finger. Purchasing a thumb ring in this instance makes you, well… it makes you that person we spoke about before. You know, the one who’s not exactly cranially gifted.

Go big, cut small

There is a negative component to this plan, but it will make sure that ring fits perfectly.

Just buy a larger size than you know is needed, tell your intended that the two of you will go to the jeweler, who will make sure it fits perfectly and call it a day.

The negative? Well, people tend to like to show off those rings right after receiving them, and this might be a short-term inconvenience.

The positive? You came with a plan to make it right, and it should result in your best fit. That should count for something.

Be a creature of the night

Get your “Mission Impossible” groove on, because this is going to require some stealthy skills. Maybe I’m overselling it, but it’s how I got my wife’s ring size, so I’m trying to build myself up as something more than I am. Don’t judge.

As your significant other sleeps, you can either take a ring-sizer and get that size without waking up your intended, or wrap a piece of string around the ring finger and mark the size with a pen and bring it to the jewelry store. Yes, the ring-sizer is a much smarter idea.

Also, yes: I used the piece of string. So, take what I say with a grain of salt.

Obviously, this is not the most pressing thing in the world for you if you are planning on taking this mountainous step with your loved one, but every bit helps. And, trust me, every bit helps.