IT’S COME TO THIS: A ‘Placeholder’ Engagement Ring Could Have Saved Your Proposal. “After months of dropping hints, visiting jewelers, and quizzing your soon-to-be fiance on your ideal engagement ring, the first time you laid eyes on the diamond he chose, your heart sank. While you still wanted to marry him (of course), your once-in-a-lifetime moment was marred by a rock you immediately wanted to exchange — and he probably felt terrible. What could have prevented that disappointment?” Well, he could have proposed to someone less superficial. . . .