The holidays are a hot time to get engaged. It seems to be the almost perfect timing or it can lead up to that ” pop the question” moment usually seen around Valentine’s Day. That said, one of the things that always crosses the mind of people planning on getting married is about engagement rings. Thanks to Amanda Hennigan for this insightful and fun piece that includes lots of information on rings via infographics at the bottom of the text!
5 Things You Should Know Prior to Shopping for an Engagement Ring
*Photo courtesy of seth-reese
With the holiday season right around the corner, engagement season is quickly approaching. In fact, about 40 percent of engagements occur between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day. After all, can you imagine a better gift than a shiny new addition to your ring finger? Buying an engagement ring and planning your proposal is such an exciting time. Whether you’re shopping for the ring on your own or with your partner, there are so many factors that go into choosing the perfect engagement ring.
Check out these helpful tips below to make the ring shopping process stress-free and enjoyable.
Photo courtesy of jose-martinez
1. Determine what shape you want
Knowing what diamond shape you (or your partner) want will help focus your engagement ring hunt. Shape indicates the actual geometry of the stone as opposed to cut, which refers to the diamond’s ability to reflect light. Every shape is priced differently and each has a different price per carat. Round cuts are the most expensive, while pear and marquise are typically the least expensive. If size is more important to you than shape, you can get more carats at a better price if you choose a less expensive shape. Prior to purchasing an engagement ring, browse engagement ring styles and have one or two favorite shapes in mind.
2. Choose a metal for your band
Traditional engagement rings are made from yellow or white gold, silver, or platinum. While silver and platinum look almost identical, it’s important to note that platinum costs significantly more. The reason being is platinum has more weight to it. However, since it’s a soft metal it will scratch more easily. Today, trendier engagement ring styles are becoming more popular and rose gold bands are on the rise. When it comes to metal choice, be sure to consider your lifestyle and budget. Do you want a timeless ring or a trendy one? You also want to think about if you want stones set in your band as well, as that’s another added component and cost.
3. Have an ideal carat size in mind
It’s important for the bride-to-be to have an idea in mind of what size stone she wants. While some brides prefer a clearer stone to a larger one, the size is always the kicking off point. Color and clarity can always be tweaked in order to find something within your budget. If size is important to you, keep your ideal size in mind when shopping together, but be flexible on the other elements to stay in budget. Also, be sure to try on rings in the style and size that you desire prior to purchasing an engagement ring. You may think you know what size or shape you want, but when you try it on you may realize that you want something entirely different once you see how the ring looks and feels on your finger in real life.
4. Consider how your engagement ring will look with your wedding band
Of course, you want your engagement ring to be perfect, but it’s only half of the equation. Your wedding band, which is the actual symbol of your marriage, is the often-overlooked “other half”. When shopping for your engagement ring, think about what wedding band styles would go best with your engagement ring. Online jewelers like the Blue Nile, make it easy to browse through a variety of engagement ring and wedding band styles allowing you to see which ones go best together. Some engagement rings don’t allow a wedding band to fit perfectly against them, so it’s important to consider prong versus channel-set stones and pavé while shopping for wedding bands.
5. Get sized properly
While this may seem obvious, it’s important to get measured! You don’t want your ring to cut off your circulation, or even worse be so loose that it could possibly fall off your finger. It should feel snug, but comfortable. If you’re not accompanying your future hubby when he goes ring shopping, go to a jeweler and get sized on your own and then casually mention your size the next time the topic comes up. Be sure to tell your close family and friends too so they know the answer if he asks them!
Check out these helpful guides below for more tips on how to find the perfect wedding band to match your engagement ring as well as a fun questionnaire filled with tips on how to pick out the perfect ring for your partner, while keeping it a surprise!
Thanks to Amanda Hennigan for this very insightful post about how to select an engagement ring but also how to find out all the information and details about your partner-to-be before you ask the big question.
Also thank you to Blue Nile for the very informative graphics!
Stevie Wilson,
LA-Story.com
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