1: Do your research
An engagement can be a very expensive thing. And even if it’s not, the emotional weight of the purchase makes a little bit of research worthwhile.
What really matters when it comes to price is the quality of the stone. This is where the four Cs (namely carat, colour, clarity and cut) come into play.
The carat of a diamond is a description of its weight. The higher the number, the larger the rock. You’ll see big jumps in price around certain boundaries – and for this reason, it’s often a good idea to shop for diamonds that are just underneath a threshold. A ninety-nine-point diamond will be indistinguishable from a one-carat one, but it’ll be a little bit cheaper.
The cut of a diamond refers to its shape. When the bottom faces sit at forty-five-degree angles relative to the top, the light coming in will bounce straight back through the top, creating that highly desirable glittering look.
The colour and clarity of a diamond matter, too. The clearer the diamond, the more it will sparkle. The colour is slightly different. While pure white diamonds are preferable to off-white ones, you can also find diamonds in bold, bright colours. These command higher prices, too.
2: Choosing the right style
Engagement rings come in many different styles. If you have an idea of what your partner is going to prefer, then you’ll have a head start.
You don’t need to ask them directly; simply take a few pictures of their existing rings, and show them to the jeweller. They’ll be able to identify the style and recommend something that matches it.
3: What metal is best when picking the perfect engagement ring?
Popular jewelry metals include yellow gold, rose gold, white gold and platinum. Most wedding bands are gold and you may want to match the engagement ring to the wedding band.
You should also consider the jewelry your partner usually wears, for example do they prefer warmer metals, such as yellow gold and rose gold, or perhaps cooler hues such as silver, white gold or platinum?
The metal choice can also set off the color of a ring’s gemstones differently.
Different metals come at different price points and will match different kinds of stones. For example, a silver engagement ring will be less costly than a platinum band. If you’re going to go exotic, then you’d better be sure that your partner will appreciate it!
4: How to determine the ring size
Getting the size right is vital. An oversized ring is at risk of slipping off the finger, while an undersized one might not fit on in the first place.
Check an existing ring, and if necessary ask friends or family, or get the ring readjusted after you’ve bought it.
5: How far in advance should I get an engagement ring?
Your jeweller will need some time to get the ring properly sized. As a general rule, two months is a good, generous timeframe. Of course, it’s better to get it sorted early.
Make sure that you’re storing it in a safe place, from where it can be retrieved when the day of the proposal finally rolls around.
Final Thoughts on Five Tips for Picking the Perfect Engagement Ring
With these tips, we hope your proposal goes well and contributes to a long-lasting special memory for both yourself and your partner.
