National Proposal Day: How to Plan the Proposal and Choose the Ring
National Proposal Day falls on March 20. Whether you pop the question today or later this year, here is a calm, week-by-week plan for the ring and the moment.
March 20 is National Proposal Day in the USA, timed to land on the spring equinox, when day and night are equal. It is a nice symbol for a decision made by two people. If you are planning to ask, today or later this year, this guide keeps the ring side calm so you can focus on the moment.
Start with her, not the ring
The best engagement rings look like they already belong to the person wearing them. Before you open a single website, spend a couple of weeks noticing what she wears:
- Metal. Does she wear mostly yellow gold, white gold, silver or rose gold?
- Scale. Delicate, fine pieces or bold, chunky ones?
- Lifestyle. Nurses, climbers and potters often prefer a lower setting that does not snag.
- Hints. Saved pins, comments on friends' rings, or a sibling who can be trusted.
Find her ring size without giving the game away
Borrow a ring she wears on her ring finger (left hand in the USA) for an evening and draw around the inside on paper, or press it into a bar of soap. A jeweler can read the size from either. Other options: ask a close friend to take her shopping "for fun", or choose a ring that can be resized after the proposal. Most of our rings can be resized for free within 30 days, up to two sizes.
Choose the diamond: where to spend
For the center stone, put your money into cut first: a well-cut diamond looks larger and livelier than a poorly cut heavier one. Color G to H and clarity VS2 to SI1 look bright white and clean to the eye for most shapes. Lab-grown diamonds let you go up in size or quality for the same budget, and every one we set comes with an independent grading report.
| Shape | Looks like | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Round | Maximum sparkle, timeless | Anyone who wants a classic |
| Oval | Elegant, looks larger per carat | Lengthening shorter fingers |
| Emerald | Clean lines, "hall of mirrors" flashes | Minimal, architectural taste |
| Pear | Romantic, a little unexpected | Someone who likes vintage details |
Order in time
Most fine jewelry is made to order. Ours takes about two to three working weeks to make, plus insured delivery to the USA, and bespoke designs take three to four weeks. If your date is close, look at ready-to-ship rings, which leave our workshop in three to five working days.
Engagement rings to start your shortlist
Plan the moment
Keep it personal
The place you met, your first apartment, a trail you always walk together.
Have a plan B
Rain, crowds, closed viewpoints: decide in advance where you will go instead.
Think about photos
A friend hiding nearby, or a photographer booked for "family portraits".
When is National Proposal Day?
National Proposal Day is celebrated in the USA on March 20, the spring equinox.
Which hand does an engagement ring go on in the USA?
The ring finger of the left hand, next to the little finger.
Should I propose with a placeholder ring?
If you are unsure of her taste, a simple placeholder and a shopping trip together is a lovely option. Many couples now choose the final ring together.
