Engagement Ring Buying Guide

When you have decided to give an engagement ring as part of proposing marriage, you have accomplished the most important part. Now, we will help you with the details. You want to pick a ring that matches her tastes and style and one that fits within your budget. And, timing is important, as it can take as long as two weeks to finish setting a loose diamond into a ring.

Timing and the Purchase of the Ring

Once you have decided to give her a ring, it is important to take time to make the right decision. After all, this is a ring that she will wear for the rest of her life. If circumstances allow, plan about two weeks to make the purchase. You will need to learn about diamonds or other gemstones as well as types of precious metals, settings, and sizing of the ring. When you understand what you want and make the purchase it will commonly require up to two weeks to have the ring ready in its setting. If you are planning on proposing on a special day you need to check the calendar and make sure that your timing is right.

Five Steps to Choosing the Right Diamond Ring

To avoid being overwhelmed by the choices, follow this advice a step at a time when buying an engagement ring.

1: Set Your Budget

A rule of thumb sometimes suggested is that you will need to save up money equal to two or three months of your salary in order to buy an engagement ring. That is essentially a marketing ploy. You will set a budget for a ring that you can afford. Working with the right jeweler, you can pick a diamond that you like. If it is too expensive, you can go down in the grades of cut, color, clarity, or size in carats. And, of course, if you have budgeted more you could even go up the grading scale to buy a more precious gem. Remember that besides buying the diamond, you will select and purchase a ring and pay to have the diamond set the ring. And, of course, there are wedding bands. Work with your jeweler to find the most beautiful ring and the rest, while staying within your budget.

2: Decide on a Ring Style

She may be expecting a single diamond on her engagement ring. That is called a solitaire. But, there are also the classic halo and split shank styles, just to name a couple of choices. Decide up front if you are going to buy a solitaire or a different style. Ask your jeweler to see a few examples so that you can decide. When making this choice, think about her tastes and style. If she is a no-nonsense girl who likes uncomplicated clothing and minimal jewelry, you probably want a solitaire. But, if she has other tastes and a more complicated style, you may want to explore more options. For example, for someone who likes a vintage look, there are braided or woven ring styles and so-called fancy cuts of diamonds. To make this decision you may even want to take one of her friends or family into your confidence and look at a few examples together.

The most commonly chosen engagement rings are solitaire, classic, or halo styles. The diamonds are most often cut in round or princess styles. That having been said a trendy look will use a cushion, emerald, or pear cut of the diamond. Diamonds are the first choice for engagement rings but sapphire, ruby, and emerald can all work just fine. It made a big splash in the world of fashion many years back when Princess Diana’s engagement ring was a sapphire.

Whether you are shopping online or in the store, make sure to look at enough examples to help you decide. Then pick the ring style and the diamond. And then move on to planning your proposal.

3: Coordinating the Proposal Date and Getting the Ring

To give yourself time to pick the right diamond, the ring, and the setting, it is best to work backward from your likely proposal date. Give yourself a couple of weeks to visit jewelers, look at diamonds, and make a decision. And then you will need two weeks to get the ring ready. So, if you can plan it that way, start a month before you intend to propose. There are two useful aspects to this approach. You will avoid being overly detailed in your search for a ring and will come to a decision more efficiently. And, you will hopefully not find yourself backing out because you have too much time for second thoughts.

4: Choosing the Right Jeweler

When you have done your homework, you will have a clearer idea of what style and quality of diamond and ring you want. Now is the time to ask specific questions of the jeweler. You want to make sure that your jeweler offers GIA certified diamonds, precious metals of high purity, diamond appraisals, a lifetime diamond warranty, and a return policy. A reputable jeweler will often mention these things but if he or she does not, make sure to ask. When you choose the right jeweler you not only get the right diamond ring. You get peace of mind as well.

5: Now You Can Order the Ring

Now that you have set a budget and narrowed down your options for the diamond, ring, and setting, you have a couple of options. You can go it alone, order the ring, and run the risk that, although she welcomes your proposal, she hates the ring! Or, you can take one of her friends or family along to improve your odds of picking a diamond ring that she will like. And, of course, there are couples for whom marriage is a foregone conclusion. In that case, you may as well combine your proposal with a shopping trip to your trusted jeweler.