You’ve decided to propose, but this is actually the easy part of the process. Now, you have to select the engagement ring that you want to use during the proposal. Chances are you’ve never purchased an engagement ring before, so we have some tips that can help you throughout the process of shopping for a ring.
The last thing you want to happen is to select the wrong ring or to become overwhelmed by trying to select something your beloved will be impressed by. Read on to find out more.
Try to Find Out What Your Partner Prefers
You’ve probably had a conversation (or two) with your partner about the prospect of getting married. During this conversation, feel free to ask what your partner likes in an engagement ring. If nothing else, find out what they absolutely hate so you can avoid those styles or types.
If you and your partner are out running errands or happen to be in the area of a jewelry store, take them inside to shop around. Let them know that you simply want to get an idea of what they like. You can always come back later and purchase something that they fell in love with when they were looking.
Consider the Style
Engagement rings come in all different styles. You can choose a single diamond, three diamonds to represent your past, present, and future together, or even one main diamond with small diamonds all around on the band. There are ten basic diamond shapes to choose from as well that include:
- Emerald
- Round
- Oval
- Square
- Pear
- Radiant
- Heart
- Asscher
- Princess
- Cushion
- Marquise
The most common cut is a round cut, but you should choose an engagement ring that will complement the size and shape of your partner’s finger while representing their personal style. Some women aren’t a fan of unique cuts like heart-shaped. Traditional cuts are always your safest option.
Consider the Quality of the Diamond
There are four Cs to take into account when you’re shopping for an engagement ring. These four Cs refer to the quality of the diamond in the ring’s setting. They refer to:
- Cut
- Color
- Clarity
- Carat weight
While you may want to purchase the highest quality diamond available, this is going to increase the cost tremendously. You can still buy a nice diamond while saving money on the overall color or carat weight. Try to get the highest clarity as you can for your budget. This is what helps a diamond to really sparkle and look clear.
Metal Type
Engagement rings are made with different metals. This is another decision that will determine how much you’re paying for the ring. You should also think about what kind of metal your partner typically wears. You don’t want to purchase a yellow gold engagement ring if they’re usually wearing white gold jewelry.
Platinum
This is a strong metal that is durable and dense. It’s more expensive than white gold, but it’s a wise choice for people with sensitive skin (it’s hypoallergenic).
White gold
There are both 14 karats and 18 karat white gold engagement rings. It’s more affordable than platinum but still looks beautiful.
Rose gold
Rose gold looks a lot like white gold, but it has a reddish hue to it. This is because of the copper content of the metal. It’s beautiful, but not all women prefer this type of metal because of its difficulty to match with other metals.
Yellow gold
A classic gold option that makes a ring look more vintage in style and classic.
Now that you know more about finding the perfect engagement ring, it’s time to head to the store to do some shopping or you can even look online. Don’t be afraid to shop in different locations. This isn’t a decision that you should make quickly.
Make sure that you are looking at all of the different options that you have, comparing prices, and assessing the different qualities of rings out there. By the time you get down on one knee, the ring will be perfect, and your partner will happily say “Yes!”.
