Choosing the engagement ring for your partner is one of the most daunting events you can face in life. The stress of wondering if this is the right time is coupled with the worry that they might say no. There’s almost no mental space to be concerned that they might not like the ring.
Getting the right ring can help to seal the deal by letting your partner know that you’ve really put some thought into this engagement. This means getting clued up on the ring buying process in addition to the current trends in engagement ring styles. If you’re in the early stages of buying an engagement ring, here are our top 8 tips for making the process work for you.
1. Set a budget
Your budget is essential to the buying process. Once you have defined your budget, you can start to narrow down your search. Your budget will help to determine the size of diamond you can afford, and if you would like a larger diamond, you’ll know that you need to compromise on something else, such as the colour or clarity. And this leads nicely into our second piece of advice for buying a diamond engagement ring.
2. Understand the 4 Cs
Education is essential if you want to avoid paying more than you need to for a ring. The 4 Cs are the fundamentals of diamonds, and they stand for Carat (size), Cut (shape), Colour and Clarity. Once you understand how each one of these impacts the price of the diamond, you’ll have a much easier time choosing the right ring that fits your budget.
3. Ask friends and family for advice
Not all friends and family can be discreet, but if you’re confident you can trust them, don’t be afraid to ask if they have any specific preferences. Some people have the “dream ring” and some people will be happy with whatever their partner chooses for them. If you suspect your partner might be the “dream ring” type, then ask their close friends and family if they have any advice or clues for you.
4. Consider diamond shape
The diamond shape will have the biggest impact on the style of the ring. The most common diamond shapes are round and princess cuts. These are classic shapes that will never go out of style. You could also choose something less conventional, like a pear cut or an emerald cut. Each diamond shape will lend itself to a different design era and style, so there is a lot to think about.
5. Think about a lab-grown diamond
You don’t have to choose a mined diamond, and you could even save a lot of money by choosing a lab-grown diamond. Lab grown diamonds are visually and structurally identical to a mined diamond, and in many cases they can also be superior. You can often get a larger diamond for the same price when you choose a lab-grown diamond, and you can also be confident that it is completely conflict and cruelty free.
6. Choose a Reliable Jeweller
Your choice of jeweller can make a big difference to the price you pay and the service you receive. A diamond expert will be able to support you through this important decision and ensure that you don’t pay too much for your ring. They will also offer additional services such as free resizing so you can be confident you’ve covered all of your bases.
You might even find the jeweller, set your budget, and then propose with a dummy ring and let your fiance create their perfect ring. Custom rings are becoming far more common, particularly with the rise of lab-grown diamonds.
7. Get the size right
While you might be able to change the ring by a few sizes, more dramatic ring size changes can damage the ring. This is why it’s vital to get a good idea of their ring size from the start.
You can either find a reason to measure their finger – which is risky. Or you can borrow another ring that you know they wear on their right hand ring finger and measure this. Just be confident that you’re measuring a ring they actually wear and not one that sits in their jewellery box because it’s too small.
8. Consider your partner’s style and lifestyle
You want the ring to be a testament to your love and devotion, but you also want it to be something that your partner loves wearing. If they work with their hands, they might struggle to wear a very elaborate ring every day.
Likewise, if you know they are quite clumsy, a delicate ring with lots of smaller stones might not be the ideal choice for them. Consider their personality, style and lifestyle so you can choose something that they will be proud to wear every single day.
