What to Consider When Buying an Engagement Ring: Tips for First Time Shoppers

If you have met the love of your life and you are ready to ask the big proposal question, shopping for an engagement ring is an important next step in the process. However, with so many ring choices available on the market, deciding where you should even begin can be challenging. If you are looking for an engagement ring, this post shares four tips for first time shoppers to help ease the process.

1. Have a Particular Style in Mind

When shopping for an engagement ring, it is essential to know the jewelry style that your partner prefers and tends to already wear. For example, if your partner generally opts for simple and elegant jewelry, a large and flashy ring may not be the best choice. If you are uncertain of your partner’s preferred jewelry style, you can look at the jewelry they already own or ask friends and family for suggestions.

It is also essential to consider what kind of metals your partner generally prefers. Engagement rings are available in a number of different metals such as gold, platinum, sterling silver, or stainless steel. Also keep in mind that some people have allergies to certain metals, so you will want to ensure the ring is made of a material that your partner is able to wear comfortably.

When it comes to the style of ring you want to invest in, if you can’t find anything you like on the high street then consider looking at custom engagement rings. Custom engagement rings are special and far more meaningful as they have been designed by you specifically for your partner. There are plenty of jewelers who will create your engagement ring just the way you want it but be sure to read customer reviews before committing to a service to ensure you will get the quality you deserve. 

2. Think About Your Budget

Before you begin shopping for an engagement ring, it is essential to set a budget for yourself. The average cost of an engagement ring is around $5000, but you can easily spend much more than that if you are not strict with sticking to your budget.

These three tips may be helpful when establishing your budget:

1. If you are unable to pay in full at the time of purchase, keep in mind how much you can afford for monthly payments on a ring.
2. If you have a trade-in or an heirloom ring that you want reset, consider the value of these pieces as well.
3. If you are also purchasing a wedding band, it is important to factor that cost into your budget, too.

3. Have a Stone in Mind

Once you have an idea of your partner’s preferred style of jewelry and you have set your budget, it is time to choose which type of stone you want. Engagement rings are available in a variety of precious stones with diamonds being the traditional preference for many. Keep in mind the type and quality of the stone will also influence the cost of the ring. When considering the price of a diamond in particular, keep in mind the “Four Cs”: Carat, Cut, Clarity, and Color.

If a high clarity, high quality genuine diamond stone in the size you want is way over your budget, lab created diamonds are a great alternative. They are physically, chemically, and optically identical to mined diamonds with the main difference being that they are created in a lab rather than dug from the ground. If you need more help in choosing which stone is best, you may want to read more on clean origin reviews to make a more informed decision.

4. Know Your Partner’s Ring Size

One of the most important pieces of information to have on hand at the time you start shopping for an engagement ring is your partner’s finger size. You don’t want to be in your special moment of asking the big question with a ring that is too big or too small, so getting the right size at the start is essential. The best ways to do this are to either sneak a peek at your partner’s jewelry collection (if they have one) to get an idea of their ring size or ask them directly. If you’re daring, you could even propose with a slightly adjustable ring. Of course, you can have any ring properly sized after you present it to your partner, but it is much more meaningful if the ring fits from the start.

When making such an important and sentimental purchase, you really should take the time to research and find the perfect ring for your partner. This will help start your marriage journey on the right foot (or the left hand)!

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

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