Now the lockdown has calmed down and people are now allowed to go on holiday, more and more people are going to be getting hitched. Buying an engagement ring and setting up the proposal is one of the most exciting times of your life, it’s all too easy to get caught in the romance but remember, an engagement ring is not going to be cheap, and then finding the best way to propose isn’t going to be easy so you will want to make sure you do it right the first time. Whether you are going with your partner or are going on your own, this article will help you navigate your way to the perfect engagement ring. This is the case for any era, if your future fiance is wanting modern rings or art deco engagement rings this is the article for you.
Narrow Down The Shape You Want
If your partner has an idea of the shape of the stone they would like, it makes it much easier to focus the search to find the perfect one. The shape, also known as a cut, is all priced differently and then depending on the carat of the stone can also make a difference to the price. Round cuts are the most expensive whereas pear and marquise are the least expensive. If you are wanting a larger size, you could compromise by choosing a different shape but get a better price on the size. A helpful tip is to have a look at a range of different shapes before you go to the shops so that you have an idea of what to look at.
Choose A Metal For The Band
Vintage engagement rings and traditional engagement rings are usually made from yellow gold, white gold, silver or platinum but in recent years engagement rings have been seen to come in rose gold for a fresh alternative. Platinum may look no different to silver, but it is considerably more expensive and has a higher density and is also much rarer. It is important to understand that some materials are softer than others which means that some materials will show scratches more easily. Consider the lifestyle and budget for this as well as your partner’s preference. You can do this by checking their existing jewellery. You will also need to decide whether you want to have diamond shoulders on the ring too.
Have A Carat Size In Mind
This doesn’t really matter anymore but this was the one that most people ask when they see a ring. Some people prefer a larger diamond with more colour whereas others prefer a smaller diamond but with better clarity. This is completely dependent on your future fiance’s preference.
Diamond prices increase dramatically if you opt for a standard carat size such as 0.5, 1, 1.5 etc. If you go for something slightly off these carats you will find that they become slightly cheaper and people won’t be able to know the difference.
Get Measured Correctly
This goes without saying but you won’t believe the number of times people forget to get their ring finger sized by a professional. You don’t want to spend a lot of money on an engagement ring and then when it comes to proposing, the ring doesn’t fit on her finger without oil or worse, the ring is too large and falls off. The ring should be comfortable and fit well, maybe a little resistance on the knuckle.
Consider How Your Engagement Ring Will Look With Your Wedding Band.
If you didn’t think it could get hard just thinking about an engagement ring, well thinking about a wedding band is just as important. If you think about it, the engagement ring is just half of the symbol and if you take eternity rings into consideration then it’s less than that. Have a look at different styles of wedding bands so that you can determine what will go well with the engagement ring. Some engagement rings don’t fit flush with wedding bands so it’s important to consider the full ring set before you purchase as it will be a nasty surprise later on down the line.
Always Purchase Certified
Purchasing a diamond engagement ring is one of life’s most expensive purchases but smart. When you find the perfect ring, you will want to ensure that a certificate comes with the diamond from an accredited laboratory such as GIA so that you have a certified engagement ring. Diamonds that have been certified from different laboratories can inflate the grades so you may be getting a lower quality diamond without knowing and is a common thing to happen so make sure you do check.
Negotiate Like A Professional
Engagement rings can be marked up by ridiculous amounts of up to 500%. It is crucial that you do your research before purchasing and learn to negotiate as this will help you get a better deal. If the jeweller is a good one, they will work to your budget and get you the best quality that works for you.