7 Steps to Buying The Perfect Engagement Ring

 Engagement rings are the ultimate symbol of love, commitment and new beginnings. Although it is a huge part of getting married, most people don’t know where to begin when it comes to choosing the right ring. 

If you are planning a proposal but haven’t found the perfect ring yet, it might be because you’ve never really thought that much about it (which is totally normal if you’ve never proposed to anyone before).

You may have picked out elegant watches or other jewellery with your fiancé-to-be, but buying an engagement ring is a different ball game altogether, especially when it’s something you’ll have to do on your own. 

We understand that it can be quite a daunting task. That’s why we’ve put together 7 steps to buy the perfect engagement ring – so that you won’t be overwhelmed when it comes to finally taking the plunge and proposing.

1. Set A Budget 

Doing this allows both you and your jeweller to save time and look at options that are within your price range. 

People can be lured into purchases that break the bank by thinking that the more expensive, the better it is. Some people even postpone their proposals until they can afford something ‘better’.

An engagement ring is a symbol of a new chapter and should represent your unique relationship, which cannot be defined by a price tag. 

In reality, you can find the perfect engagement ring at a price that is well within your means, as long as you keep the following tips in mind. 

2. Surprise Them 

The entire journey of buying the perfect engagement ring for your spouse-to-be is much less exciting if you don’t do this. It seems like a trend for couples these days to shop for their engagement rings together. While this might mean that your partner gets to pick the ring that they want, there’s a lot that both of you are missing out on. 

The element of surprise, romance and beautiful memories are forgone. Planning it out is going to take a lot of effort, but the memories that you will create and cherish will make it all worth it. 

3. (Sneakily) Get Their Ring Size 

If you have decided that you are going to surprise your significant other, you’ll have to do this very sneakily. Find out where they keep their jewellery and get a hold of a ring that they don’t use often when they’re busy or not looking. You’ll want to make sure they still use the ring so that you know it is their current size. If you’re struggling to manage this, get a friend to help you out. 

If they don’t wear any rings, that’s fine. Just guess as accurately as you can and then you can always have the ring resized once you’re engaged.

4. Take Notice Of Their Style 

Take notice of the jewellery they wear and what their general style is. Do they love wearing big, glitzy statement pieces or do they stick to minimalist designs? 

Do they like heavily detailed jewellery or something more simple? Keep whatever you have learned about their individual style in mind, you’ll need this information when selecting the perfect ring.

5. Choose The Band 

Before you pick the band, do your research. Engagement ring bands are available in a myriad of precious metal options and designs. While colour and aesthetics should be taken into account when choosing, don’t forget to factor in the properties of these metals that affect their durability or how easily you can restore their original lustre and shine decades from now. 

Think about what this ring will mean to you and your fiancé, and what you want it to encompass. Do you want to pass it down to your future generations? Is it important that it is exactly how your fiancé wants it because their happiness is all that matters? Think about it carefully before making your choice. 

6. Pick A Stunning Diamond

Now comes the most daunting step, choosing the diamond. To ensure that you’re buying the best quality diamond for your budget, look into the 4 C’s: Colour, Cut, Clarity and Carat.
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Colour 

Diamonds come in various colours and it is graded on a scale ranging from D to Z (colourless to light yellow). D is the rarest and most expensive on the scale. 

White diamonds which lie somewhere in the middle of the scale, are the most popular option for their classic looks and economic value. At the end of the day, your choice of diamond colour should be based on your personal preference and suit your budget. 

Cut 

The way a diamond is cut is what gives it its shape and enhances the stone. When cut well, a diamond reflects light to all its facets through the top of the stone and as a result, gives it a beautiful sparkle. 

A poorly cut diamond will show in its lacklustre appearance, and the quality of the colour, clarity and carat of the diamond will not show. 

Clarity 

‘Inclusions’ is the term used to define the naturally occurring trace minerals and impurities found in a diamond. The purer the diamond is, the fewer inclusions it has and the more expensive it is. 

The clarity of your chosen diamond will mostly depend on your budget. The tip to getting the best of its kind is in avoiding diamonds with inclusions in the middle or on top of the diamond, as they are more visible to the naked light and can get in the way of light that is reflected by the diamond and affect its shine. 

Carat 

Carat is the measuring unit used to define the weight of a diamond. The heavier the diamond, the more expensive it is. Although the weight and size of the stone have an obvious correlation, there’s no need to give more importance to the carat weight, as properly mounted and shaped diamonds can appear bigger than their carat weight may propose. 

7. Selecting the diamond shape

This step is really just a matter of identifying their preference. Diamonds come in round, princess (square), pear, oval and heart shapes. If you’re unsure of what she wants, go with round as it is classic in appearance and never goes out of style!

This information should be enough to get you started on a search for the perfect engagement ring, but if you need more advice and expertise before you make a decision, get in touch with us.

We have a plethora of options of which you can find the perfect one for your significant other, and plenty of customizable options so you can add an individual flair. Drop in our store and speak to one of our friendly consultants to help you in this journey to new beginnings.