Are you ready to go ring shopping and make your proposal official? It seems congratulations are in order – getting ready for a proposal is one of the most wondrous and exciting things someone can experience in their romantic life. However, there’s a part that they don’t show you in the movies – and that’s the practical part, filled with all kinds of little technicalities.
Your engagement ring is definitely one of them – it’s generally a considerable expense for the average person, and that’s a fact you can easily forget if you get caught up in your feelings of excitement for the future marriage.
However, seeing as it’s so important, you want to be sure you’re doing it right. So, whether you’re browsing solo or scouting wedding jewelry with your significant other – we’ve got a couple of tips that you should keep in mind.
Decide On The Shape
If you know what your loved one wants regarding the shape of the diamond, half of your work is already done; you can focus on that specific type of engagement ring right away and shorten your ring hunt by days.
These shapes are professionally called “cuts,” and each of them is priced differently – meaning every cut has its own price per carat. Generally, round cuts are the least affordable option, while marquise and pear cuts are more of a bargain.
So, if the size is not a critical factor for you, a cut that’s not the classic round one will probably allow you to get a better carat price. Also, you can find pros like Vanessa Nicole, that make gorgeous custom engagement rings with more interesting shapes,
Pick A Metal
Most engagement rings are made from white gold, yellow gold, platinum, or silver. Also, rose gold has become a more popular choice in recent years, but it remains to be seen whether that’s just a fad. Still, it’s a modern, fresh alternative to the classic band metals, so it’s worth considering as well.
Also, bear in mind that platinum looks a lot like silver to the untrained eye, especially when people only catch a quick glance at the ring – but silver is a much more affordable option. Platinum is much rarer, and it has a far greater density.
Furthermore, some of the metals are more durable than others, specifically in terms of scratch resistance. Depending on your budget and lifestyle, you should consider that as well.
Carat Size
Of course, one of the most basic questions about engagement rings is the battle of quality and quantity – many people prefer a whiter stone rather than a larger one in the search for a clear diamond without considering the carat count as much.
Even if you want to surprise your spouse with the choice, you should definitely know something about what they expect in terms of stone size. And sure, many people will say that the size doesn’t matter, trying not to come off as superficial. But there’s no getting around the fact that the size is the first stepping-off point while you browse for engagement rings.
Once you know what you’re looking for in that regard, you can tweak the clarity and color according to your budget.
If the size is important from the beginning, try to set your sights on the ideal carat size and remain flexible on the various other elements so you can find a choice that’s within your price range.
Also, it’s always advisable to keep an open mind. In many cases, your loved one might believe they’re certain of their chosen shape or size – but especially if they haven’t worn or bought rings before, they may quickly realize that they’re after something entirely different.
It’s just impossible to be sure before seeing how a ring looks on your finger in practice. And remember – you can save a ton of money if you opt for an uncommon carat size. Just a quick tip on the price: diamond prices tend to become steeper and steeper at the most commonly desired weights.
That means you should steer clear of whole and half-carat weights (1, 0.5, 1.5) if you want to save money. If you opt for a diamond just a bit short of a common weight, you’ll get a much better price. In practice, that means a 0.94 carat will be much, much cheaper than a 1-carat diamond – but the difference won’t be noticeable at all.
Proper Measurement
This might seem laughably obvious, but you’d be surprised at how many people don’t get it right: you need to ensure you’ve measured both of your ring fingers correctly. The last thing you want is a ring that’s a loose fit and constantly threatening to fall off – or worse, one that could cut off your blood flow to the finger because it’s so tight.
