A Guide to Engagement Ring Shopping

Planning the perfect proposal comes with a whirlwind of feelings. It's nerve-wracking, thrilling and exciting all in one. Part of what makes a proposal challenging is an essential task — engagement ring shopping. You can simplify the process with a bit of knowledge and preparation. Embrace the challenge and get excited to find a stunning ring for your partner when you learn how to buy the perfect engagement ring.

With so many things to consider — including the diamond, the band, the style and your budget — you need a plan that helps you narrow down what you're looking for. In this guide to shopping for an engagement ring, you'll learn an array of useful tips to make selecting that important piece of jewelry a more enjoyable experience.

 

Know Your Budget

Setting your budget before going engagement ring shopping will keep you on track as you browse and help narrow down your selection of rings. Traditional guides to shopping for an engagement ring suggest spending three months of your salary on the ring, but this measure is outdated. There is no exact number you should spend on an engagement ring because everyone's tastes and budgets differ. Instead, you should:

• Spend within your means.
• Spend what you're comfortable with.
• Spend what your partner would be comfortable wearing every day.

Save what you can for an engagement ring that fits the above considerations, as it may become a sentimental piece of jewelry to pass on to future generations. Look into financing options before you go engagement ring shopping for a plan that suits your budget but still lets you choose a stunning and high-quality ring.

 

Give Yourself Time to Look Around

Once you know you want to propose, you may feel eager to go engagement ring shopping right away. But you'll need to leave enough time to consider your budget, look around at your options, choose a ring and order it. If possible, research how to shop for an engagement ring a few months before you want to propose. That will give you time to cover the following important factors:

• Don't dwell on the four C's: You've probably heard the terms cut, color, clarity and carat before, but brush up on the four C's before you go engagement ring shopping if you'd like to be familiar with the technical side of diamonds. The cut refers to the facets that reflect light. Color refers to how white the diamond is. Clarity describes how clear the diamond is and shows how many or few inclusions it has. Carat refers to the weight, or the size of a diamond. When it comes down to it, each diamond will look differently, even if they're graded the same. Make sure you're buying the beauty and not just what's written on the grading report.
• Discover other qualities of a diamond: You should consider the diamond's brilliance, or white flashes of light, and its fire, or colorful light, along with the four C's. A diamond with impressive brilliance and fire will catch the light and look stunning on your partner's finger, so you don't have to focus solely on the size of the gemstone. The cut of the diamond contributes to its fire and brilliance most of all, so take the time to choose a diamond with a quality cut.
• Order a ring early enough: Don't wait until the last minute to buy your engagement ring, especially if it's custom or needs to be sized. Turnover time depends on the particular ring and jeweler. A custom design can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, while a pre-made style can take a few days to a week. If you have a date in mind for the proposal, be sure to order ahead of time.

With those factors in mind, you can give yourself enough time to look around and shop. Try not to get the ring too early, though, because you may risk your significant other finding it and spoiling the surprise.

 

Decide on a Shape

The shape of the diamond in an engagement ring isn't the same as the cut component that is part of the four C's. Instead, it refers to different diamond forms that contribute to an array of styles. From geometric, straight lines to natural, smooth designs, there are diamond shapes for every taste and budget. Popular diamond shapes you may see when you go shopping are: 

• Round: This satisfying circular shape is the most popular diamond option. A round diamond is incredibly versatile and can make an engagement ring that is timeless, modern, natural or another style, depending on the other accents in the ring.
• Oval: A more dramatic style than a round shape, the oval-shaped diamond has been around for centuries. It creates a unique style that you can either display as a narrow or wide oval, depending on the setting of the diamond.
• Marquise: An oval shape that comes to points on the side creates a marquise diamond. It's a narrow style that gives the illusion of a larger diamond as the center is the widest point and draws the eye in. A quality marquise shape will be symmetrical for a balanced look.
• Pear: This teardrop style has a vintage feel that can have a slimming effect on the ring finger. If you choose this shape, be sure to tell your partner that the pointed end is intended to point out toward the end of their fingers. Symmetry is also essential in this diamond shape.
• Emerald cut: The eight sides of this diamond shape are made to highlight its best qualities. The emerald shape is beloved for its beveled corners and table-top cut. The emerald cut needs a very clear, high-quality stone because it is less faceted than other shapes and can easily show inclusions.
• Princess cut: The princess cut, a square-shaped diamond, was created just a few decades ago. Since then, it has become a popular choice for engagement rings because it makes the stone appear larger. Princess cut diamonds should be in a setting that protects the four corners of the diamond.

The shape of the diamond often influences the setting, or the metal that holds the diamond in place. However, you may have a variety of setting options depending on the stone shape you want. Certain shapes can be part of a three-stone ring, which features a larger center gem and two smaller stones that accent it on the sides. Round, oval and square shapes are often a part of these styles to create the most symmetry.

Halo rings feature a border of small diamonds around the center stone, which makes it appear larger. Round, oval and square shapes are popular for this style, but you don't have to limit your diamond shape selection to those options. Instead, get a feel for your partner's style and preferences. Talk to close family and friends who may have a bit of insight, whether they have a suggestion or know what your partner wants based on past conversations.

 

Decide If You Want a Specific Carat Size

Carat describes the weight and size of a diamond. Common engagement ring styles feature a diamond that is between one and two carats, but you can go smaller or larger based on your budget and partner's style. If you are on a budget, you may not think you can get a larger diamond or one that appears impressive, but that's not the case. Consider these tips for engagement ring shopping that will help you get an impressive diamond within your means:

• Choose a carat size that is just under a whole-sized carat number, such as 1.9 carats rather than two.
• Prioritize a setting that lifts the stone up and makes it appear larger, such as a cathedral prong setting.
• If you aren't looking for a particular shape, choose one with a cut that highlights the features of the diamond.

Your partner's preferences will also determine what carat weight you should choose. In general, bigger means bolder and smaller is subtle, but that will also depend on the style of the ring itself.

 

Choose the Perfect Metal for the Band

The metal can be just as special as the diamond in an engagement ring. It ties the ring together, influences the style and protects that precious diamond. Yellow, white and rose gold are popular options, along with sterling silver and platinum. To make the right choice, it helps to consider:

• Your partner's lifestyle: Some metals scratch more than others, making them less suitable for active lifestyles. If your partner will want to wear their ring all the time, consider white gold, sterling silver or platinum options, which will resist scratching and damage. Your partner may prefer not to wear their ring during sports or other activities, so you could get yellow gold or a similar metal in that case.
• Your partner's style: While rose gold is a modern trend, silver and yellow gold are timeless options. You can decide based on whether your significant other prefers modern and trendy styles or classic, traditional styles. The shape of the stone and the setting will influence the overall style of the engagement ring, but the color of the metal also has an impressive impact.
• Your partner's other jewelry: Take a look at your partner's jewelry to get an idea of the metal they prefer. Some prefer cool tones with silver and white gold, while others opt for warm tones with rose and yellow gold. Your partner may have a mix of metals with an eclectic taste, so consider multiple factors when making your final decision. 

As you decide on a metal, you may want to dream ahead to your wedding day. Imagine what wedding band your partner would want and whether they would want to match their engagement ring to the wedding band.

Once you choose a metal, there are various engagement band styles you can choose from, some of which impact the setting of the diamond or the number of diamonds in the design:

• Pave rings have small diamonds embedded throughout the band.
• Natural styles feature textured bands or nature-inspired details.
• Modern styles often have smooth or sleek lines.
• A flush setting embeds the diamond in the band for a subtle or masculine design.

Get the Right Size Ring

An engagement ring needs to be the perfect fit. Too big, and you risk having it fall off and losing it. Too small, and you won't be able to slip it onto your partner's finger during your romantic proposal. Guessing a ring size means you risk getting it wrong and having to get the ring resized. To get the right ring size, you could:

• Use your partner's jewelry box: Take a well-fitting ring from your partner's jewelry collection to bring to the jeweler and figure out their ring size. If possible, choose a piece they don't wear every day so they don't wonder why it's missing, but make sure they've worn it recently so you know it's the right size. Pay attention to what finger they wear that ring on! Each finger is different, even when it's the same finger on the opposite hand!
• Speak with family and friends: Maybe your significant other's family or friends know the ring size based on past conversations. If they don't know already, have them do a bit of sleuthing. Make sure they can keep a secret and be casual enough that it doesn't tip your partner off to your plan if you want the proposal to be a big surprise.
• Just ask: If your partner already knows you plan to propose, you may want to ask about their ring size directly. You can also ask for ideas for the style of ring to choose, and keep your final decision a surprise until the proposal.

Take Notice of Your Partner's Style

Your significant other will likely wear the engagement ring every day, so consider something that will complement their style. Observe the other jewelry they wear, if any, along with their lifestyle and general style. Your partner may have a style that's:

• Traditional or trendy
• Showy or subtle
• Elegant or natural
• Simple or complex

With so many ring options available, you'll find something that suits one of the styles above or a mix of styles. When you visit a jeweler, they may ask you questions about your partner's style, which can help guide you in the right direction. With their help, you can narrow down the engagement ring selection even more and find the perfect option. 

 

Choose a Jeweler You Trust

At Koser Jewelers, we'd be delighted to guide you through how to buy the perfect engagement ring. We're excited to help you discover what you want your engagement ring to say and how it can match your significant other's unique style. We will help you find the perfect ring and diamond that answers the most important questions... "Will she love it and are you proud to give it to her?".

When you choose Koser Jewelers to find the perfect engagement ring, you'll find exclusive lines, like the Hearts on Fire jewelry collection. You can browse knowing you'll get the most beautiful diamond for your dollar because we don't buy diamonds based on grading reports. Instead, we choose stones that are bright and beautiful, giving you a better diamond in whatever engagement ring style you choose.

Visit us in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, or call us today. Browse our diamond engagement rings to get inspired and take the first step to finding the perfect engagement ring.