Humans value memories. It’s the reason we hold onto movie tickets, worn-out t-shirts, pictures, and other keepsakes all our lives. Even years later, the souvenirs transport us back to wonderful memories and make us smile. That’s also one of the reasons we devote so much care and work to finding the right diamond to preserve the special emotion of the connection for years to come.
Shopping for an engagement ring is always a momentous occasion. A ring is a physical symbol of love and the beautiful moment they have been waiting for. Until recently, selecting an engagement ring only needed answering a few questions: Emerald or princess cut? Yellow or white gold? When deciding when, where, and how to purchase an engagement ring today, there are many more factors to consider.
11 Tips to Choose an Engagement Ring
This comprehensive guide will help you discover the perfect engagement ring for your significant other, whether you search for rings jointly or separately.
1. Don’t get caught up in Trends
An engagement ring is a symbol of love. It is one piece of jewelry that will last forever. So the goal should be a timeless, classic ring that would be a perfect fit for your future fiancé. Trends would come and go, but this ring would stay forever. Just look at their current ornaments to determine what would work best for their style. Are they platinum or a gold person? Do they wear bold jewelry, or do they prefer simple pieces? Take cues from their present fashion when choosing the ring they want to wear daily for the rest of their lives.
2. It’s not about the price tag
It was just clever marketing in the 1980s that pushed men to invest their two months’ salary on engagement rings if they wanted to be “responsible.” The reality is that determining how much to spend on an engagement ring is not an exact science. Some women prefer smaller, less expensive diamonds, and some want to forego diamonds altogether. Some people choose a basic band, while others opt for vintage or used jewelry. Choose the ideal ring for the woman rather than one whose cost fits within some artificial calculation.
3. A stone need not be flawless on paper
The basics of any diamond grading are the four 4Cs. Diamond experts swear by this code to know the authenticity of any stone. The Gemological Institute of America grades diamonds from D to Z. You don’t need a D-graded stone to make a beautiful ring. The grade on the certificate is one of several considerations. Instead of relying just on a stone’s GIA grading, consider how it makes you feel. The grade can be a place to start, but it shouldn’t be the only thing that matters.
While we are saying not to rely on grading alone, it is still important to know the four 4Cs not to get scammed by ill-intentioned jewelers. The 4Cs for diamonds are:
- Color: Colors are graded from D to Z. Diamonds graded D is completely colourless, while diamonds graded Z would have a light yellow or brown colour. In this range, diamonds with less color are rarer, more expensive, and sought-after.
- Cut: How well a diamond interacts with light depends on its cut’s quality. A diamond’s brightness, scintillation, and fire are determined by its dimensions, symmetry, and polish (flashes of color). Oval cut engagement rings are a timeless and classic choice for couples who want to make an elegant statement when they get engaged.
- Carat: The apparent size of a diamond is determined by its carat weight. Assuming the other Cs are comparable, a diamond with a higher carat weight is rarer and more costly.
- Clarity: Diamond clarity is defined as the absence of internal characteristics known as inclusions and surface flaws known as blemishes. Clarity is rated from Flawless to Included.
The grading system for other stones is based on a diamond’s grading scale. So understand the diamond’s grading system and other stones’ grading system.
4. Know where the stone is coming from
Customers value jewelry with a backstory, particularly when it involves ethically sourced stones. People are really curious about the origins of their jewelry. Countless jewelers look far and wide for mines and suppliers who can vouch for the sustainably-sourced origins of their diamonds, metals, and gemstones—and can be fully tracked from mine to market. Take notes on every detail to discuss with your future spouse once you present her with the ring.
5. The setting should not be an afterthought
Once you have found a stone that fits your spouse and are sure they will fall in love with it, the next step is to decide what to put around it. Knowing your significant other’s preferences for diamond shapes will help you narrow your search for the perfect engagement ring. Every shape has unique pricing, and each stone is valued differently per carat. We suggest visualizing the setting as the canvas and the centrestone as the painting. You do not want to take the attention away from the painting. You can be daring and create something distinctive and different, but the ring must capture the wearer’s style. Find a trusted professional, explain your goals, and let them lead you in the correct route.
6. Size only matters if you or your future fiancée believe it does
Some people love big stones, while others are happy with classic, small stones. The choice of stone should depend on the wearer. If the size of the stone matters to your future spouse, then it might be worth thinking about focusing more on size and less on color and clarity. The engagement rings are now more of an expression of a person’s particular style, which sometimes means purposefully avoiding bling. Some women feel empowered by going against the traditional jewelry mould and finding something that speaks to them personally. As a result, there is less pressure to have a showy ring.
7. Consider working directly with a jeweler
No longer do engagement rings come in one size fits all. Custom feels more special than simply strolling into a store and choosing something. A jeweler would be the best for making a ring that fits your spouse and future aspirations. Many individuals nowadays desire items that bridge the current and vintage worlds. These days, quality is more important than size or a distinctive design like a rose cut.
Additionally, many people are completely giving up on diamonds. An antique pink sapphire ring, a pale ruby stone, has a huge appeal because of its pink color. Another combination is the ruby and diamond ring gold. There are many options to explore that a jeweler can help you with.
8. Don’t be scared to choose a completely different ring and to think outside the box
People are yearning for a different experience. They want something ‘fashionable’ and timely yet timeless—not plain, boring, or predictable. They want a unique ring that is also stylish and modern so that it won’t go out of style. It’s imperative to millennials that their purchases feel special and that the rings’ energy matches their own. In addition to traditional diamonds and settings, women are increasingly choosing unconventional, personal, and unexpected settings.
9. Don’t do engagement ring shopping alone
Shopping for an engagement ring might be difficult; seek help from your friends. Consult people who have recently gotten engaged for jeweler recommendations, and ask someone familiar with you and your future husband and whose aesthetic sense you admire for their opinion. The person you are buying for almost always has an idea of what they want and may have said it to that friend (or added it to a Pinterest board).
10. Add special meaning
When there is more sentiment behind your ring, it provides more of a tale to your proposal and engagement. Fortunately, there are several methods to give your engagement ring sentimental value. First, consider family treasures, especially if there is a special ring from a grandmother that can be adjusted or a diamond that can be reset. Other choices include selecting a gemstone ring created with their birthstone—to symbolize that your partner is your best friend and lover.
11. Negotiate like a boss
Consider your options before selecting the ideal engagement ring for your beloved. Engagement rings can be marked up significantly more than the required margins; some rings are marked up by 500%. Before making a decision, research, and don’t be scared to negotiate. A trustworthy jeweler will be eager to meet your desires while staying within your payment budget.
Even while it’s not necessary, it’s typically a good idea to start looking for an engagement ring two to three months before you want to pop the question. Then, you’ll have enough time to search for the ideal jeweler within your budget, limit your selection, order any special pieces, and make the jewelry.
Conclusion
While getting swept up in the romance is easy, remember that buying an engagement ring requires careful consideration because it’s typically expensive. Shopping for engagement rings should be a joyous occasion. Don’t let anyone pressure you into buying something that would cause stress in future. Applying the above advice will help you shop for an engagement ring, knowing what you want while avoiding the most typical pitfalls and traps. The typical rules do not apply to engagement rings anymore. In the end, it is your love, so your rules.
