An engagement ring is a symbol of your devotion to the person you love. It signifies a vow that you plan to be with them through better or worse, in sickness and in health, until death do you part.
When your special person looks down at their hand, they’ll be reminded of the perfect moment you popped the question. Since it represents such a monumental purchase, how do you choose the right engagement ring for the big life-changing moment?
We have a few insider tips to help you make sure you’re choosing the right one for your future fiancé(e).
Chapter Overview
Don’t Try to Follow the Latest Trends
First and foremost, it’s unwise to try to follow the latest engagement ring trends. They come and go, evolve and alter over time, and they aren’t always going to be consistent, either.
An engagement ring is something your partner will have for the rest of their life. It should be timeless as well as reflect their personal style preferences.
Think about the kind of jewelry they currently wear. Is it primarily silver or gold? Is it thick and chunky or slim and slender?
Do their jewelry styles consist of multiple stones that are flashy and bright, or are they simple bands without too much clutter? But don’t be afraid to take a risk and try something different with your ring, though.
It will need to be an engagement ring or band that your future fiancé(e) will want to wear every day and should be just as unique as they are.
Think About Shape
We get it. It feels as if there are a million different styles of engagement rings out there. But clearly, not all shapes are priced the same.
Shapes, also referred to as “cuts,” vary considerably in price. Knowing the type of cut your partner would like can help alleviate the stress of the hunt significantly and will give you helpful insight into the potential size of your budget.
Choose Your Metal Type
Once you have a style in mind, you’ll want to narrow it down to the kind of metal you’ll want to use for the band of the ring. Typically, engagement rings are either yellow gold, white gold, silver, platinum, or rose gold.
The lifestyle of your partner may be key here. Do they work with their hands all day? Some metals are more easily scratched than others.
The metal you choose will also affect the price of the ring so this will be a consideration for your budget as well.
Bigger Isn’t Necessarily Better
Giant stones might sound like a desirable option, but is that what your future fiancé(e) will truly prefer? The size of the stone (or stones) won’t dictate how much you love the person.
Some people don’t necessarily appreciate something that makes a grandiose statement. Many love the simpler designs and bands that fit more closely with their personal style.
When In Doubt, Get a Bigger Size
It’s crucial to know the size of your partner’s ring finger. Unfortunately, the reality is that most of us don’t have any idea what that might be.
Many individuals go into the ring-purchasing process without knowing what size their partner wears. When you’re in doubt, the smart move is to buy a bigger size.
A ring certainly can be enlarged, but it’s a significantly more complicated and expensive process than to take one in for a smaller finger. You can reduce a ring to almost any size, whereas rings or bands that have to be expanded can usually be enlarged only by about half a size.
Always Buy Certified
Finally, when you’re searching for the perfect engagement ring or band, make sure to check its accreditation and certification. Ask the right questions and request to see the proper certifications to ensure that any imperfections within the stone match what is documented.
Do some research on the laboratory that cut your stone to find out if someone might be inflating prices to make you believe your stone is worth more than it honestly is. Buying a ring is an expensive and vital investment, so take your time.
This doesn’t have to be a rushed process. Put in the effort to find the ring that will mean the most to your soon-to-be fiancé(e). If you love the person enough to spend the rest of your life with them, then you will absolutely want to think through the ring-buying process rather than make an impulsive purchase.