Ideally, you and your partner have discussed getting married to the point where you are comfortable in buying a proposal ring.
Only you have just realized you are pretty uncertain about what kind of ring you should be getting. Luckily, we have put together this extensive step-by-step guide to choose the perfect engagement ring for your significant other.
Step-by-Step Guide for Choosing Engagement Rings
Set a Budget
The old adage that your budget for an engagement ring should equal about two-months’ salary is not only antiquated but also an old marketing ploy from the 1940s to sell more expensive engagement rings.
In modern times, it’s not important to define a set a minimum on your budget. You don’t have to break the bank getting the perfect engagement ring just as you don’t have to settle for something undesirable because you think you can’t afford it.
There are plenty of rings out there that are luxurious and extravagant that are surprisingly affordable just as much as there are traditional rings that can cost quite a bit more than might be expected.
Therefore, we encourage you to consider the following above all and to talk to your local jeweler (we’re the perfect spot for Morris County residents!) to help you find the perfect ring for your significant other.
Tips to Help Maximize Your Budget
Once you determine how much you’re willing to spend on an engagement ring, there are a few ways you can really stretch your budget to get the best ring possible without going over-budget.
1) Avoid platinum; opt for white gold instead
Platinum is the most expensive precious metal out there, so to save money, you’re better off going with white gold instead. White gold looks similar to platinum, but is much less expensive.
2) Add smaller diamonds
If you choose a ring that has smaller diamonds on the band itself, you can also opt for a smaller central diamond, which will help reduce the overall cost of the ring. This has the benefit of adding more sparkle and design to an otherwise traditional, single-diamond ring.
3) Consider non-round diamonds or gemstones
Round diamonds are the most popular style for engagement rings, so opting for a non-round shaped diamond can help you save money. Also, you may consider foregoing a diamond altogether and choosing a gemstone such as sapphire instead. Precious gemstones are trendy and fashionable without bearing the high cost of diamonds.
4) Swap a natural diamond for one created in a lab
There is such a thing as lab-created diamonds and they are cheaper than natural diamonds. You don’t have to sacrifice quality on lab-created diamonds as they are just as dazzling as natural diamonds.
Select a Diamond or Gemstone
Most engagement rings feature a center diamond while a smaller fraction of engagement rings feature a center sapphire. Some rings will also have smaller diamonds or faux diamonds (moissanites) around the center gemstone or along the band itself.
Choose whether your engagement ring will feature a center diamond, sapphire or other gemstone and whether or not there are additional gemstones on the ring.
Determine the Diamond Gemstone’s Shape & Size
As mentioned, most often diamonds for engagement rings are round, but there are other shapes to choose from. Some of the more popular shapes include: princess, cushion, pear and asscher.
Oftentimes, given the choice between size and quality, people will opt for size as it is more apparent to the naked eye how large a diamond is as opposed to its quality. Usually, the smaller the diamond, the lesser the cost, but quality is also going to be a factor here.
For more detailed information on choosing a diamond or gemstone for your ideal engagement ring, Brilliant Earth has some really neat interactive diagrams and sliders to help explain diamond shapes, sizes, cuts, colors and clarities. We also have an easy-to-read resource on the 4 C’s of Diamond Grading.
Select a Ring
Now that you know which stone you will be putting on your ring, it’s time to figure out what the band will look like. This can go all sorts of ways, from adding intricate twists and designs to the band to adding extra gemstones along the outside, the possibilities are endless.
There are several different setting options, from the refined trellis and basket settings to the glamorous halo style and the protected bevel setting. It all depends on your significant other’s unique wants and needs, so it’s best to talk to a jeweler to get help with this step, although it’s recommended to have a jeweler help you along every step of the way!
If you want to get something extra special for your significant other, you can also opt to have a ring custom designed, too.
Determine the Precious Metal of the Ring
Not only will you be factoring in color here, but you have to consider the price and also the durability of the precious metal you choose.
Platinum is silvery and hypoallergenic, making it one of the most popular precious metals sought after in jewelry. White gold is similar in color to platinum, making it a good alternative; however, white gold requires more maintenance over time, which may affect its long-term cost.
Other options include yellow and rose gold. Yellow gold is less sought after as the classic gold color is not as popular in engagement rings. Still, yellow gold is fairly durable (since it contains alloys to strengthen it) and is less expensive than platinum.
Rose gold has a unique blush color and has copper added to help strengthen it. It is also more affordable than platinum.
Taking all this into consideration, you should also be aware of what your significant other usually wears for a tip as to what he or she would like as his or her engagement ring.
Choose a Style
The style of the engagement ring should match the personality and fashion preference of the individual who will be wearing the ring. Consider what type of clothes he/she wears, what style of jewelry he/she owns, the kind of lifestyle he/she has (outdoorsy, glamorous trips to the city, etc.). All of these elements will help you to determine the engagement ring style that is best for your significant other.
Different Engagement Ring Styles
There are many different styles of engagement rings and within each style there are plenty of variations to match anyone’s particular preferences.
Solitaire
A solitaire ring is one of the most timeless, classic ring styles and for good reason. This traditional engagement ring style is simple, but elegant. The diamond is center stage and usually features no extra frills, although the setting might be adjusted and diamond accents added for further refinement.
Halo
Take a solitaire ring and add a circle of smaller diamonds around the center diamond and you have a beautiful halo engagement ring. This ring style is stylish and more outgoing than the solitaire ring, but arguably just as timeless. It’s the modern equivalent of the traditional solitaire ring style.
Three-Gemstone
Another common alternative to the solitaire style diamond ring is the three-gemstone ring. Rather than one prominent diamond in the center, this ring style features three gorgeous diamonds together. Why settle on one shining diamond when you can get three?
Pavé
This ring style is notable for the thin row of gemstones along the band. It’s like the solitaire, but with the added luster of smaller diamonds along the band. It’s an extra something for an otherwise plain band and really adds extra sparkle for those that want more sheen out of their engagement ring.
Cathedral
The cathedral ring is unique in that it can be combined with other engagement ring styles because it is more of a setting than a unique style. The difference between a cathedral and a non-cathedral ring is that a cathedral ring raises the diamond by extending the metal band upwards on either side. This not only gives it a different appearance from a non-cathedral ring, but it also adds more security and protection to the ring, making this an optimal choice for those who need or want the extra protection for their ring.
Vintage/Antique
For someone that wants a unique engagement ring, there are antique engagement rings that feature a vintage design and style of yesteryear. These rings are generally more crafty, bold and intricate than modern engagement rings.
Channel Set
A channel set ring is similar to the pavé style in that the band features a line of smaller gemstones, but with the channel set ring, the gemstones are actually set within the band as opposed to simply covering the surface as they do on a pavé ring. It’s a slight aesthetic difference but matters more in far of securing the diamonds more than they would be on a pavé ring. The trade-off is that the channel set gemstones may get less shine than the gemstones on a pavé ring.
Consider a Custom Engagement Ring
Here at Guida Jewelers, we take pride in our custom jewelry design. There are more styles than listed above and we would love to work with you one-on-one to find the perfect style for your significant other.
Ring Size, How to Propose and Where to Get Married
When you’ve got a style in mind, you just need to figure out the right ring size. Luckily we’ve put together a list of ways you can go about getting someone’s ring size without them knowing.
And when you’ve got that taken care of, we have a few recommendations on how to propose and, if you’re near Morris County New Jersey, our ultimate Morris County wedding venue guide will help you find the perfect place to get married.
When you’re all ready, come visit us at our Morris County showroom and we’ll help you find the perfect engagement ring.
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