5 Women Flaunt Their Engagement Rings and Share Memories of Their Proposal

Shraddha Singh, Content Creator & Global Survey Ambassador For United Nation’s Sustainability Development Goals

My engagement ring is a symbol of undying love and devotion that my husband Prasanth [Chandra Bhamidimarri] and I share: diamonds encased in a platinum band. I always stack it with two more rings that he presented me with on two separate, special occasions. All my rings have been surprises because I like it that way. These rings are a beautiful reminder of the different stages of our relationship. It was I who proposed to my partner because I couldn’t wait! We had been dating for four years and my partner had moved to Canada for work... I began to miss him terribly, and popped the question over a video call in December 2013. We were married five months later. I love to wear my rings every day, though I took them off during pregnancy and when my baby was tiny. Even then, I added them to my necklace so that I could still wear them. I like to wear all my favourite jewellery together... I believe that you can never wear too much gold.”

Maia Sethna Malhotra, Digital Content Creator

“My husband, Aditya [Malhotra] designed my engagement ring himself, which makes it extra special. It is an elegant round-cut diamond with two baguettes on either side, in the Art Deco style. Aditya had planned a surprise proposal while we were on vacation in Ladakh, in 2016... he asked me to marry him on the banks of the Indus River. It was incredibly romantic, and I was deeply touched by how much effort he had put into planning this. I wear my engagement ring every day, along with an Eternity band. I consider these our symbols of commitment. My other staples include a silver, heart tag bracelet from Tiffany & Co. and the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust White Dial watch.”

Nitya Bajaj, Designer

“I knew my engagement ring would be special because my husband, Barun [Birla] trained at HRD Antwerp Diamond High School. Interestingly, Barun didn't propose to me; I had to make him kneel down and propose to me on our engagement day! My wedding ring is a promise that completes me. It is a diamond ring with an all-over diamond encrusted jacket. It is the most valuable piece of jewellery I own because Barun personally selected the diamond and designed it in Belgium to celebrate our love and friendship. While this is not an heirloom piece, it carries the blessings of our elders: our parents, grandparents, great grandparents, gurus, and teachers. I do not wear it every day; in fact, I do not wear any jewellery when I am at work. When I do slip it on, it is usually for formal occasions, and I avoid accessorising too much with it because the ring is a statement in itself. On our first anniversary in 2012, Barun and I reexchanged our vows in a Christian wedding ceremony, with Cartier Trinity Love Bands that have our names and wedding date engraved on them. My band is in gold, rose gold, and platinum. I wear this band every day on my ring finger, as it is simple, elegant, and comfortable.”

Kajal Aggarwal Kitchlu, Actor

“Before I got married to Gautam [Kitchlu] in 2020, I had a very clear idea of what kind of ring I wanted: a cushion-cut diamond. I left the details up to my fiancé to decide on, who spent a lot of time figuring out the type and size of diamond as well as the design of the ring. While selecting, he considered my personality, taste, and preferences... Gautam selected a 2.5-carat, cushion-cut diamond with a white gold band that has solitaires running all across it. He even got the band engraved with both our initials and the date of the proposal. Since my ring is set in white gold, it pairs well with most of my jewellery pieces in other metals, and works seamlessly with my outfits. I wear the ring every day, along with a custom-made wedding band and classic solitaire earrings as they make for an effortless pairing. My engagement ring signifies a new chapter in my life, and the next step in our relationship."

Tanieya Khanuja, Designer

“Ours was a typical, arranged marriage, and although our families were friends for many years, we hadn't met each other very often. However, as they say, when something is meant to be, the whole world conspires to make it happen. My husband Hardeep [Singh Khanuja] proposed to me with a 2-carat, round-cut, brilliant-cut diamond ring on an 18-carat, hallmarked, white gold band from Champalal Jewellers. I have worn it every day for the past 17 years: it serves as a constant reminder of the endless memories we have shared—good and bad— which have only made our relationship stronger. The straight lines of the engagement ring (I prefer geometrical designs over flowers and curves) go very well with my looks for work, travel, parties, and even weddings. I have never felt that the ring is ‘too much’ or ‘not enough’ for any occasion. I always wanted a simple, timeless ring to pair with my engagement ring so that it would make a statement. And so, four years after we got married, Hardeep and I selected an Eternity Band with baguette-cut diamonds surrounded round-cut, brilliant-cut diamonds. I wear this band by itself sometimes, depending on my look. Needless to say, I love both my rings.”