Too late to edit my comment, what I meant more is like "learned the nuances of various stones, understood the nuances of this stone and appreciated it." Maybe

Too late to edit my comment, what I meant more is like "learned the nuances of various stones, understood the nuances of this stone and appreciated it." Maybe instead of connected I should have said something like "nerded out." But now, a few years down the road of marriage, with a house and two kids, I have a deep sentimental appreciation for the journey of which our engagement was the start. Like I said, the ring wasn't necessary to that - if we couldn't afford it we'd do something else but it was an enjoyable part.