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Taking your relationship to the next level and proposing to your partner can be an exciting – yet daunting task. After all, it’s a life-altering event for both you and your partner, and such a momentous event deserves a glittering ring to mark the occasion. The engagement ring is a beautiful piece of jewelry expressing your love and commitment to your fiancé, but you need to be sure to choose the perfect ring. This is due to the fact that your partner will be wearing it for the rest of their life! As long as you remember to heed these 5 golden rules, you should have no problem choosing the perfect engagement ring that will make your special someone fall in love with you all over again.
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Familiarize Yourself with the Nuances of Ring Design
They may seem fairly straightforward, but the truth is that rings and their precious stones come in many different shapes and types. In order to make an informed decision that you will not regret later, start by educating yourself about the different types of ring designs and materials.
Stones typically come in one of nine popular shapes, from the basic “round” shape to the rectangular “baguette” shape and beyond. If your fiancé would prefer a more unique stone design, consider choosing a “heart” shape (which, as the name suggests, is shaped in the form of a heart) or a triangular “trillion” shape. As for design, there are many different settings, materials, and band options from which to choose, including gold (rose, white, or yellow), platinum, and silver.
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Ring Quality
Quality counts! To show your love, think about buying your fiancé a high-quality engagement ring that will stand the test of time. In order to do so, there are several things to consider. First of all, make sure to find a reputable jeweller if there is one in your area. They should carry a fine selection, and they should be knowledgeable enough about their merchandise to answer any of your questions.
Color, cut, carat, and clarity all determine the quality of a ring’s diamond. Diamonds should be as colorless as your budget can allow. The “carat” refers to the size of the diamond, while “clarity” is how flawless in appearance the diamond is. Purchase a stone with rather good clarity, if possible, although perfection isn’t necessary because many inclusions are not visible to the naked eye. Finally, the “cut” of the diamond is the way in which it is faceted. It can often be difficult for novices to determine if the cut is good, so ask a knowledgeable jeweller.
All other aspects of the ring should be of good quality as well. The metal for the band and the design and setting should all be made to last indefinitely.
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Be Generous, But Don’t Break the Bank
It’s common knowledge that an engagement ring is supposed to cost around two months of your salary. This is no longer the case. When buying an engagement ring, it’s crucial to buy something that you can actually afford. Know your priorities in life, living expenses and savings are more important, and if you’re getting married soon you’ll obviously need to pay for a wedding as well. Buying a ring that is too expensive could dip into the wedding budget, which is not ideal!
What you need to do is set a limit on how much you will spend on a ring and stick to it. Only go a little above the spending limit if you see something you consider truly perfect for your partner. Do make sure to spend a proper amount on the ring. Something high enough to be respectable but without being ostentatious, but don’t harm your financial security in the process.
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Know Your Partner’s Tastes and Style
One of the most important rules in choosing an engagement ring is to take into account your partner’s tastes and style. Bear in mind that your partner will be the one wearing the ring you buy. In order to buy a ring in a style your partner will love, learn precisely what their sense of style is. Look at their current jewelry collection to see what kind of precious metals and stones they prefer, as well as what kind of jewelry designs they like to wear. Look for any rings, necklaces, and other pieces to see whether they like modern style, vintage style, or traditional style the best. Look at any rings to see what type of setting is used. Also check whether the band is gold, silver, platinum, etcetera. Take notes of what you find in the jewelry box, and even snap a few pictures for reference. Lastly, take a ring to the jewelry store so that you can know their ring size for certain (guessing their ring size won’t end well).
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Don’t Rush Yourself
When finding the perfect engagement ring, you need to make sure to give yourself enough time to do thorough research and choose correctly. Rushing to buy a ring will end badly, so be sure to give yourself time to read up on ring types, stone shapes, and settings. Also, set aside time for discovering your partner’s style and for searching multiple jewelry stores for the right one. This is a serious decision that should be carefully made, and with a little planning ahead of time, you should have no problem choosing the perfect engagement ring for the love of your life. Above all have fun, and best of luck with your proposal!
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Author Biography
Miranda Scott is a blogger and stylist from San Jose, California. While she typically endorses classic diamond engagement rings for the clients due to their timelessness, she is increasingly coming to appreciate the beauty of coloured stones as well. It really depends on the bride’s personal style!
