Need a Little Help from my Friends

I've never been one to thumb through bride magazines, the exception being when I was trying to help a couple of friends of mine when they were planning their weddings. So now I am a bit overwhelmed with all the options between venues, dresses, and rings. Do we want to go the traditional route or do we do do something a little more off-beat?

I'm already a little off-beat in that I don't like diamonds. We've been looking for engagement rings without diamonds and I didn't realize how challenging that would be. It's hard to find a precious gemstone ring without a few/several diamonds alongside. We like platinum but we also have discovered a likeness for palladium and cobalt. Most cobalt is mined in the Congo so cobalt is out, palladium or platinum it is then.

Brenden found the Scott Kay website and I like most of his "vintage style" engagement rings: http://www.scottkay.com/main.html. These designs are of the band so I can choose whichever gemstone I like. If anyone knows of any other designs that may suit, I would appreciate any recommendations.

All of my closest friends are far from me so I hope this blog allows us to share ideas and to get feedback. Hope to hear from you all.