Shopping for engagement rings is an important moment in anyone’s life, but it can be both stressful and enjoyable. There will be days where you are so amazed at all the different styles in the jewelry store case, and then there will be times where you might get dizzy from looking at so many different diamond cuts. Add in budgeting and the element of surprise and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
But don’t panic! The best way to diffuse the headaches and obstacles of shopping for engagement rings is to go in with a plan. There are a few very important steps you need to take when shopping for your dream ring that can ensure you don’t get overwhelmed and that you find your perfect ring.
If you are thinking about buying an engagement ring, but don’t know where to start, we are about to make it much easier for you!
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Quick Navigation
- Decide on Your Budget
- How To Find Her Engagement Ring Size
- Find a Jeweler
- Engagement Ring Style Guide
- Pick a Setting
- Choose a Diamond Cut
- Understanding The 4C's Of Diamonds
- Alternatives To Buying Diamond Engagement Ring
- Guide To Engagement Rings: Diamond Shapes
- Pick Her Favorite Metal
- Trust The Process
Decide on Your Budget
This may seem like a given, but budgeting is a huge part of the shopping process that you don’t want to overlook. Engagement ring prices range from $1,000 to $20,000 or more. Because this is a huge price range, it is important to know how much you are willing to spend.
You don’t want to go into ring shopping blindly because you may end up looking at and falling in love with a ring that’s way out of your budget. It would be a shame for you to realize that one of the princess cut engagement rings you had your eye on costs thousands over your budget.
Going in with a budget and communicating it to your jeweler early on will allow you to identify which types of rings you can look at ahead of time and this will save you money and, possibly, unnecessary heartbreak.
How To Find Her Engagement Ring Size
Find a Jeweler
Once you have settled on a budget you feel comfortable with, you are now going to want to find a place to buy your engagement ring. There are too many jewelers to count, which makes it even more important to research jewelers before buying anything.
Be sure to do a bit of research on your preferred jeweler’s experience and reputation by reading online reviews. Word of mouth can be powerful for you when it comes time to select a jeweler to work with. A good way to find a jeweler that you can trust is to ask your friends and family for recommendations.
It is also nice if you can find a jeweler who offers a good discount or is flexible on the price of their products. However, you want to be careful not to sacrifice a better quality product for a lower price. Once you find the right jeweler, you can start thinking about the details of your engagement ring and what you want it to look like.
Engagement Ring Style Guide
That choose the right engagement ring you must think “What is your girl like?”. Consider what type of furniture she appreciates, what clothes and handbags she prefers, see wich other types of jewelry she already owns. Also, you can ask her friend or family for their opinion on which type she will fall in love with.
This information should give you some clues as to whether she’d prefer a ring that’s classic, vintage-inspired, glamorous or maybe she like something unique and extraordinary.
Pick a Setting
Now for the fun part! Once you have a budget and a jeweler you trust, it’s time to start deciding what your ring will actually look like.
One of the main design aspects of an engagement ring is the setting, also known as the mount, which attaches the stone to the actual ring. There are a variety of unique settings you have to choose from. Solitaire and oval engagement ring settings are great choices if you want more of a simple, classic look to your ring. On the other hand, the halo setting complements the diamond and makes it look larger and shinier.
Usually, when you shop for a ring, your jeweler will show you rings that already have a diamond in the setting. But if you would like to customize your ring further, consider semi-mount rings. These are a game-changer if you want to create something that’s highly customized. These rings are finished, but they come without a stone mounted on the ring, which gives you the ability to have more control over the finished product.
Choose a Diamond Cut
Aside from your budget, the type of diamond you choose for your engagement ring is the most important decision you will make. Diamonds come in different shapes and sizes. Round brilliant cut diamonds and princess cut diamonds are the most popular choices when it comes to engagement rings.
Those who want to get the most diamond for their dollar usually settle on emerald-cut diamonds because their cut is bigger and they are usually cheaper. You can even choose diamond cuts that are shaped like hearts or pears. No matter what the shape of the diamond you choose, there are a few things you must keep in mind when diamond shopping.
Luckily, these things are conveniently broken down for you and called the 4Cs of diamonds, also known as the cut, clarity, color and carat. All of these aspects are an important part of choosing the right diamond as they ultimately affect the way the diamond looks in general, as well as on your finger.
Carat: The carat size determines how large the diamond is.
Clarity: The clarity determines how clear and flawless the stone is.
Color: Color denotes whether the diamond is more blue, yellow, white or colorless.
Cut: The cut determines the shape of your stone as well as its sparkle and how its facets interact with light.
Learning more about the 4Cs will allow you to make a confident and informed decision on what diamond you want.
Understanding The 4C’s Of Diamonds
Alternatives To Buying Diamond Engagement Ring
Guide To Engagement Rings: Diamond Shapes
Pick Her Favorite Metal
Trust The Process
This process can take some time, but you want to make sure you do it right and enjoy it along the way since it is a time you will remember forever. Also, this is a ring that will hold fond memories for the rest of your life. Finding the perfect ring takes time, but since your partner will likely wear it for the rest of their life, it should!
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