Have you been dating your significant other for several years or more? Have you heard your loved one hint at marriage and engagements? If you’re ready to pop the question, you’ll benefit from following some key steps outlined below when out engagement ring shopping.
Here are the top eight ‘I dos’ and ‘I don’ts’ of shopping for diamond engagement rings for your special someone.
Do consider custom engagement rings
A customized engagement ring might be the perfect choice for your significant other. When you go custom, you can give your future spouse the ring of their dreams, and it’ll be unique to them. However, you’ll need to either ask your proposee for their input or get creative in finding out their preferred style. You might look through your partner’s Pinterest boards, seek other hints from their jewelry box, or even ask their closest friends.
A customized ring is worth going the extra mile because it can be of higher quality and provide more symbolism to your loved one. You can personalize and build a unique engagement ring through experienced jewelers like Diamonds Forever San Diego.
Don’t stress about carat weight
While many people think carat weight is the most crucial part of picking a quality diamond engagement ring, this is not entirely true. You will find that some diamonds with a higher carat or weight could look duller and lack the brightness of a smaller diamond.
Low clarity won’t impress your future spouse, so don’t stress about picking a ring with a high carat number. Otherwise, you may spend more on the size of the diamond and end up with a ring that has little clarity or shine.
Do decide on a budget
You have every right to choose the budget you’re most comfortable with when it comes to buying an engagement ring. Once you’ve figured out what budget you can handle, stick to it and don’t look at the pricier options.
You can also figure out whether you want to pay for the ring completely upfront or cover an initial payment and pay off the ring over time.
Don’t rush through the engagement ring shopping process
Engagement rings are often purchased at least a few months before a person pops the question and asks their significant other to get married. The engagement ring is just as important as the place you’re planning to propose and the words you’ll use.
As such, you’ll need plenty of time to research the right ring for your love. You may want to take as much as six months to choose the ring before you pop the question.
Do pick a metal color that aligns with your significant other’s complexion
You might want to bring a picture of your future spouse and check what type of metal matches their complexion best. Ask the jeweler for their opinion on the best metal color for your significant other. Check rose gold, platinum bands, and yellow gold to see which ones look great against your loved one’s skin.
Don’t stress about how the diamond shines in a specific color of metal, as it’s more important to check how flattering the metal looks on your future fiance’s hand.
Don’t let the setting of the ring change what shape you think is best
There is no need to spend too much time focusing on the ring’s setting, as considering the shape is more important. Multiple settings for each shape are available, so focus more on that.
Ask your jeweler if a different kind of setting is available for the shape you prefer. Usually, various settings can fit your ring.
Do ask the jeweler questions before making your final choice
Ask the jeweler to bring out many different types of rings to see which one could be the right fit for your loved one and the two of you as a couple. There are plenty of questions you should ask the jeweler, such as figuring out your partner’s perfect ring size.
Find out if the jeweler provides extra perks like ring cleaning services. Furthermore, ask your jeweler how to get an engagement ring insurance policy. Lastly, you’ll want to learn about the clarity, quality, carat weight, color grade, and cut of each diamond ring you’re looking at.
Don’t worry about the three-month salary rule and don’t spend too much on the ring
Stick to your budget once you set it. The three-month salary rule came about nearly a century ago and was primarily a marketing ploy to sell more expensive engagement rings. With the financial considerations of today, it is much more important to stick to a reasonable budget and, instead, put more money toward the wedding and honeymoon.
Before you go
Finding the perfect engagement ring can be stressful if you don’t know where to start. Keep these tips in mind while engagement ring shopping, and before you know it, you’ll be planning your future with your spouse and dancing at your wedding.
