Diamonds are forever … right? What if you don’t love the one you got? Broaching sensitive topics about your engagement ring or an heirloom piece with your fiancé or family members can be a tricky endeavor. We asked experts at three top Dallas jewelers for their takes on how to handle potentially sticky situations and which long-standing traditions may no longer be so tried-and-true.

Q: Is it still common practice to ask for a father’s permission before proposing?

A: “Asking for a father’s permission before proposing is a practice that still holds significance for many people. While it may not be a strict requirement, it’s widely considered a gesture of courtesy. In my opinion, honoring the father’s role in a traditional sense by asking for permission is a thoughtful and respectful tradition.” —Fallon Bock, vice president/buyer for Bachendorf’s

Q: How would you advise a bride who doesn’t like the heirloom stone or ring that her family has given her to use as an engagement ring?

A: “Many brides are gifted heirloom rings that, while beautiful, don’t fit their current style. Fortunately, there are a variety of options to consider when gifted an heirloom engagement ring. If a bride likes the stone in the ring, this provides a perfect opportunity to reset the stone in a custom-designed or pre-made setting. When the bride and her future husband choose the new setting together, they can select a ring that has special meaning to them while also keeping the heritage from the bride’s family. If the gifted stone is not something a bride wants to reimagine, she might consider using it for a pendant or another piece of jewelry as a way to honor its past while allowing her and her fiancé to choose a new ring that best represents their love together.” —Cristina Salas, director of marketing and branding for Eiseman Jewels

Q: If a bride-to-be doesn’t love her engagement ring, how should she discuss that with her fiancé, and what options does she have to alter it?

A: “This is a tough conversation to have, but sometimes there are elements that are hard to get past that you want to address to make it your dream ring. The element the bride wants to alter dictates the difficulty to make it happen—some are hard, and others are simple fixes. Of course, the simplest way to get exactly what you want is to be upfront with your partner before a purchase is made. We rarely see a full ‘surprise’ engagement anymore! Typically, the bride is involved in an initial appointment to narrow in on stone shape and designs. This allows us to ask questions that the groom may not know are important to ask and help narrow in on all the little details that go into her perfect ring.”  —Kiley Trent, managing director for Matthew Trent

Q: Is a wedding band still customary, or are you seeing more couples do away with it?

A: “The wedding band style truly depends on the couple. At Eiseman, many couples still gravitate towards traditional wedding bands; however we are also seeing a trend of stacking bands, multi-shaped cut diamonds or stone bands, and even larger-scale bands with no engagement ring. Adding colored stones to your band is a fun way to brighten up the wedding stack as well!” —Cristina Salas, director of marketing and branding for Eiseman Jewels

Q: If a bride wishes to upgrade her ring down the line, do you allow couples to trade in their stone for a larger one?

A: “At Bachendorf’s, we stand firmly behind the quality of our jewelry and are always happy to assist clients who wish to upgrade their rings. We evaluate their current stone and offer a fair market price. Our confidence in this process is rooted in our meticulous standards, with many diamonds having been personally inspected by Lawrence or Harry Bock before becoming a part of our collection. We are dedicated to helping clients find the perfect piece that aligns with their evolving tastes and preferences.” —Fallon Bock, vice president/buyer for Bachendorf’s

Q: There are lots of after-wedding opportunities for which jewelry is an appropriate gift. How can someone make clear to their spouse what they would like, and do you help facilitate that for couples?

A: “We see the engagement ring and wedding band as the start of a lifelong relationship with clients. Usually when we work with clients on the engagement ring and wedding band, there are subtle hints of gift ideas mentioned that we make note of for future events—like an anniversary band, matching earrings, etc. Our customer profile shows finger size, metal preferences, and we even keep a wish list on file for future events. Most spouses like having a list of things that their significant other might like for gifts down the road.” —Kiley Trent, managing director for Matthew Trent