How to Pick the Perfect Engagement Ring

Choosing someone you want to spend your life with requires much love and certainty. If you’ve finally had that epiphany with your partner, you must pick the perfect engagement ring to commemorate the next few steps of that life together.

1. Know Your Partner’s Preference

An engagement ring is a token of your love for your partner, and one of the best displays of adoration is to showcase that you listen. Every couple handles ring shopping differently — some people directly discuss their preference, while others want it to be a surprise.

Either way, try to pick up on what your significant other wants. For example, what kind of metal do they prefer the ring to be? Fifty-two percent of jewelry retailers saw silver sales increase in 2022, but many others like the look of gold much more.

2. Review Your Budget

Jewelry can be rather expensive. American engagement rings cost around $3,000 on average. Some can be pricier, while others are more affordable, so you must be careful about what you shop for and purchase. Review your finances and see what you can afford.

Some people go as far as taking out a loan, but it’s best to discuss what your partner thinks first. There are still several expenses to come, from proposals to engagement parties and even wedding rings.

3. Check the Ring Size

So, your partner says yes, and you start to slip the ring on their finger. Too big or small of a ring size can cause awkwardness. While these could always be adjusted, paying attention to this minuscule detail says a lot.

Typically, you can have your partner go to the ring shop and have them measure their size. For surprises, there are plenty of ways to get your loved one’s finger measurements. You can ask a close friend for those details or find a ring in their collection and bring it to the jeweler.

4. Assess the Gem Specifications

Quality and characteristics are essential elements when finding a good engagement ring. The criteria to determine whether you’re getting the ideal gem are the 4Cs of diamonds — cut, color, clarity and carat. Here’s a look into what these attributes mean:

• Cut: Although each engagement ring seems similar, the cut varies greatly. Well-cut diamonds usually preserve the gem’s brilliance since light still passes through with an even sparkle. Ring buyers could also consider the shape of the stone, as some jewelers sell round, emerald, oval and other types of diamond cuts.
• Color: Some natural diamonds form a yellow tint because they’ve been exposed to nitrogen. Some people may prefer having this hue, but colorless diamonds are generally more coveted due to their premium feel and appearance.
• Clarity: Are there any noticeable imperfections inside the gem? The ideal diamonds are crystal clear as glass. Some blemishes are invisible to the average naked eye, but if you’re taking zoomed-in pictures, clarity may be one specification to pay more attention to.
• Carat: Carat is a unit of measurement that refers to the weight of a diamond, with one unit equating to about 200 milligrams. The higher it is, the bigger the diamond and the more expensive the price tag.

5. Evaluate the Sourcing

Another question you’ll need to ask is whether you want a natural diamond or a lab-grown diamond. For some people, having a “real” diamond feels more special and meaningful than a human-made stone. However, there is very little visible difference between them.

One deciding factor may be price. Natural diamonds can be more than double the cost of a similar lab-grown stone. If you want a larger stone on a smaller budget, lab-grown can be a great way to go.

Lab-grown diamonds are often viewed as more sustainable, as they do not involve mining. However, many jewelers do follow sustainable and ethical practices when sourcing natural diamonds. You will just want to do some research to find a jeweler that matches your values.

6. Check the Stone’s Meaning

Diamonds are the main stone for an engagement ring, but other colored crystals may appeal to your partner more. Look into their specifications and the symbolism behind them.

For example, the emerald represents new beginnings and peace, which are key elements for a potential union. It’s also the May birthstone, which is perfect for people born that month.

7. Consider Customization

Ready-made engagement rings provide peak convenience since you can purchase them on the spot and keep them ready for the big proposal. Meanwhile, custom rings help you get the perfect stone and ring style. If the market fails to have what you’re looking for or you have a specific design in mind, look for a jeweler who will bring your vision to life.

8. Look Up Certification and Insurance

Remember to look up the certification details of a ring to ensure you’re getting it from a reputable jeweler. A certificate specifies the exact grade of a stone. Keep in mind that it’s different from a grading report, which only provides a subjective range of values.

Insurance is also an important part. That way, you get financial protection if it gets damaged or stolen.

9. Find Matching Wedding Bands

Engagement rings serve as stand-alone pieces of jewelry for a while. However, you’ll both be getting wedding bands the day of the ceremony. While picking them out is a nice problem for you and your future life partner to have, plan as early as now.

During your shopping journey, you can look for bundles that match one another. Some jewelers sell rings meant to be stacked on top of one another. Getting a smaller engagement ring is also ideal for compatibility with multiple wedding band styles.

Getting the Best Engagement Ring

Picking the perfect engagement ring takes much planning and browsing. Avoid rushing the process and focus on finding something the love of your life would cherish. It’ll all be worth it once you get a smile and nod when you get down on one knee.

Photo credit: Britni Girard Photography  Katie & Eric's Spruce Mountain Wedding

Author bio: Cora Gold is a wedding writer and editor of Revivalist magazine. She aims to inspire couples to achieve the wedding of their dreams. Connect with Cora on LinkedIn, Pinterest and Twitter.