How to Choose the Perfect Engagement Ring
Spending forever with someone starts with finding the perfect engagement ring. If you’re planning on proposing anytime soon, then you might be feeling the pressure to pick the perfect piece of jewelry.
Figuring out how to choose an engagement ring can be a very overwhelming task, especially if you don’t know where to start. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive guide to break down the process and help you find the perfect piece of jewelry for your forever person. Here are the best engagement ring tips to make the shopping process simpler and easier.
The Importance of Choosing an Engagement Ring
Engagement rings are more than just pieces of jewelry – they’re symbols of everlasting love and commitment between you and your partner. So when you shop for an engagement ring, you’re shopping for a sentimental emblem that will be cherished forever.
That’s why it’s important to take your time to carefully browse through selections and styles so you choose a piece of jewelry that beautifully represents your love and devotion to your special someone.
Don’t rush when searching for the perfect engagement ring. Take your time to consider what your loved one wants in their jewelry and use this engagement ring guide to help lead to the perfect pick.
Understanding Different Engagement Ring Styles and Personal Preferences
Popular Engagement Ring Styles
There are six popular engagement styles you’ll see when shopping for this special piece of jewelry: solitaire, halo, three-stone, vintage, modern, and side-stone.
● Solitaire: One of the most classic and traditional styles, solitaire engagement rings
showcase a single diamond in the center of a band for a simple yet elegant look.
● Halo: Halo engagement rings are stunning styles that feature a larger diamond
cushioned all around by smaller diamonds to create a dazzling look on any finger.
● Three-Stone: Three-stone engagement rings have a special meaning outside of your
commitment. These rings contain three diamonds cushioned side by side to represent
the past, present, and future.
● Vintage: For a ring that presents more intricate details, look no further than vintage
engagement rings. This style contains unique cuts and details that modern rings don’t
have since the vintage style is inspired from the Victorian era.
● Modern: Compared to the vintage style, modern engagement rings feature clean lines,
simplicity, and sometimes geometric shapes. These rings put more emphasis on the
center diamond than the overall ring.
● Side-Stone: Side stone engagement rings are similar to the three-stone style with their
main difference being the size of the diamonds. Side-stone rings feature a big center
diamond cushioned by one smaller diamond on each side, like this one.
Determining Personal Style Preferences
With several styles available all with different designs and looks, how do you choose the right one for your partner? There are several factors you need to consider before purchasing a ring your loved one will wear proudly for the rest of their life.
Your Partner’s Jewelry Preference
First and foremost, the main factor to consider is your partner’s preference in jewelry style. Ask your partner which style of engagement rings they prefer if you don’t already know. Want to keep your plan a surprise? Try to identify your partner’s preferred style from their current jewelry and align it with the right engagement ring style.
Their Daily Lifestyle
How active is your partner? Understanding your loved one’s daily lifestyle is another major factor to note before purchasing an engagement ring. Those who are more active will benefit from a solid setting like bezel engagement rings to keep the diamonds secure. If your loved one is less active, then prominent styles like vintage and halo rings will work just fine.
Hand/Finger Shape
Believe it or not but ring cuts and styles look different on every finger. Depending on the style and size of the diamonds, your loved one’s hands can look either elongated or shorter. If your partner has longer fingers, flashy styles like halo or vintage rings create the elongated look while shorter fingers look balanced with simpler styles like solitaire or three-stone and side-stone.
Maintenance Requirements
When buying an engagement ring, don’t forget to consider the maintenance needs of your chosen piece. Your loved one’s precious jewelry should be kept up with the best care possible to ensure the ring keeps its sparkle all its life. Different styles have different needs ranging from minimal to more in-depth. Simple styles like bezel and solitaire don’t need as much cleaning and maintenance checks as more intricate rings, so keep this in mind when making a selection.
Ensuring Ring Compatibility with Wedding Bands
One of the best engagement ring tips to consider is the piece’s compatibility with wedding bands. When the time comes to pick out the ceremony bands, you’ll want to ensure your engagement ring and wedding band are cohesive with the metal type. It’s also important to consider the diamonds, style, and width of the engagement ring to pair it with a wedding band that doesn’t clash but creates a seamless look on the finger.
Expert Tips to Find Your Perfect Diamond Ring
The 4Cs of Diamond Selection
Cut, clarity, color, and carat are all part of the 4 C’s of diamond selection to consider when buying an engagement ring.
● Cut: Cut does not refer to the shape of the diamond but rather the cuts and angles on
the gemstone that impacts the piece’s brilliance and sparkle.
● Clarity: Clarity determines the amount of flaws both internal and external that the
diamond has. The more flawless a diamond is, the more valuable it will be.
● Color: Diamonds range in color from clear to yellow or brown. The color of every
diamond is determined by a color scale with clear diamonds being considered the most
valuable.
● Carat: Carat refers to the weight and size of the diamond. High carat weights typically
come with a higher price since they’re also usually larger stones.
How Diamond Settings Affect Appearance
The 4 C’s are not the only factors of the diamond to consider when purchasing an engagement
ring. The piece’s setting is just as important. The “setting” is how a diamond is firmly held in the band that also affects the appearance of the piece.
Prong, bezel, solitaire, halo, cathedral, and pavè are all popular types of settings for engagement rings. Bezel settings are the most secure since it provides maximum protection of the diamond by cushioning the gemstone all the way around. Prong settings still offer protection for the diamond, but it can be less secure than bezel settings, especially if the diamond is sitting high up.
The Importance of Professional Certification
Many engagement rings come with a professional certificate but if yours doesn’t, you can send it to a professional lab to have the diamond evaluated. Having your engagement ring evaluated confirms how valuable, natural, and authentic the diamond is. These certifications also provide an in-depth breakdown of the 4 C’s of your diamond to help you make a more informed decision when buying an engagement ring.
Professional Guidance for Ring Shopping Success
Choosing a Reputable Jeweler
Part of searching for the perfect diamond ring is choosing one from a reputable jeweler. This helps to ensure you get a ring of excellent quality, expertise when shopping, and so you have a positive experience.
Here are a few more tips to consider when choosing a jeweler to buy your engagement ring from:
● Certifications: A great way to identify a high-quality jeweler is one who has certifications from institutions such as Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or American Gem Society (AGS).
● Years of Experience: Jewelers who have been in business for several decades usually have tons of experience and the right expertise to help you make an informed decision for the perfect engagement ring.
● Reviews: Before you walk into a jewelry store, browse online reviews to see how satisfied previous customers were with their experience with each jeweler.
● Warranties & Policies: Ask each jeweler about their warranties and policies before you purchase a ring. Good jewelers to work with offer their customers fair warranties and policies to minimize confusion.
● Customer Service: Always evaluate the customer service experience from each jeweler you speak with. To have a great experience and choose the perfect ring, it’s important to work with a jeweler that prioritizes customer satisfaction by focusing on your needs and expectations.
● Recommendations: Still aren’t sure what jeweler to work with? Don’t be afraid to ask your friends, family, or colleagues who they’d recommend to build your selection of professionals to consult with.
Budgeting for Your Engagement Ring
Always evaluate your finances and determine a budget for your ring before you go shopping. Setting a budget helps you find a ring within your price range while also considering important factors about your piece of jewelry. But remember – your ring is a symbol of your love and commitment to your special person.
While budget is an important factor, remember to purchase a ring that your partner will cherish for a lifetime and not to get caught up in buying a ring that’s trendy or outside of your partner’s preferences.
Shopping Tips and Timing
So, when is the best time to start your ring shopping? Ideally, you should start early, about three to six months before you plan to propose. This gives you plenty of time to study ring styles andsettings, browse different rings, find a jeweler, and finally pick a piece of jewelry your partner will love.
Also consider specials that might be offered at different times of the year like Black Friday or promotions stores offer during the “off season” months of July, August, and January. These specials can help you purchase a ring at a lower cost, which can help greatly with your budget.