Top Tips for Engagement Ring Shopping
Deciding that you want to propose to your partner is an exciting life event! You will want to make sure it is a really special experience. One of the biggest decisions is making sure you choose the perfect engagement ring. It’s a huge responsibility! There is a lot to consider when engagement ring shopping especially since it is likely to be a significant investment.
Whether you’re considering purchasing a ring online or are just looking for general suggestions to help guide your decision, we’ve got you covered. With our top tips, you are sure to find the perfect ring for the love of your life.
Do your research
There are countless options to choose from when trying to find the right engagement ring. Try and find out what your partner prefers by looking at some of their existing jewellery. You need to think about the band width, metal and the setting. There’s also the decision on what stone or stones you want the ring to have.
If you feel you may need some assistance when shopping for the ring, book an appointment with a reputable engagement ring retailer. They will be able to help you make the right decisions and show you a selection of elegant engagement rings that suit your preferences.
Enquire about the 4 C’s
The first thing to note when buying an engagement ring containing diamonds is the 4 C’s: colour, cut, clarity and carat. This is more of a grading system as opposed to a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ scale, intended to assess the quality of diamonds and make comparisons.
The 4 C’s are:
- Colour – The colour of the diamond is graded on a scale of D to Z, with Z being light yellow or brown and D being colourless. Diamonds with less colour are seen as rare and as a result are highly sought-after.
- Cut – The quality of the cut decides how the light will interact with the diamond. The symmetry, proportions and polish will affect the brightness and sparkle of the diamond, including whether you’re able to see flashes of colour.
- Clarity – The clarity of the diamond indicates its internal features, and whether these are present or not. Known as inclusions, these involve things like blemishes and surface irregularities. Clarity is graded using a scale: those with minimal inclusions are Flawless and those with a higher frequency are Included.
- Carat – The diamond carat weight determines the apparent size of the diamond. The greater the weight, the more valuable the diamond – so long as the other factors are comparable.
Make sure the ring is true to size
Once you have decided on a ring, you need to choose the size. The best way to do this is by measuring the ring wearer’s finger using a series of metal and plastic rings of different sizes. However, if you want to surprise your other half this isn’t going to be possible. In these instances, try borrowing another one of their rings but take into account which finger this is usually worn on, as the size of each finger on opposite hands can differ.
Whilst most engagement rings can be resized, it’s always best to get the fit right the first time. One or two sizes up and down is usually do-able but any more can prove difficult depending on the style of the ring. Those with bead-set diamonds or a pavé setting will require more work than a simpler solitaire ring.
Best of Luck!
See some tips on planning the perfect romantic proposal here.
