How to Pick an Engagement Ring

So you’re looking to propose and you want to find the perfect ring. Here’s everything you need to think about!

photo from The Wedding Lens

The first thing is that there are three parts to the ring: the diamond/gemstone, the setting, and the band. You know what the diamond/gemstone is, I hope. The setting is that top part that the gemstone goes into. The setting sits on top of the band. The band is JUST the round part of the ring. Got it?

Okay, here are the tips:

1. Determine your budget. It seems simple, but you really need to go into the shopping process with an amount in mind. If you want a diamond ring, it can range from $500 to hundreds of thousands of dollars. But you should also consider picking a ring that isn’t a diamond! It can be less expensive but also be the perfect ring for the person you’re buying for.
2. Figure out her ring size. I know, how on earth….? I’m not sure either, especially if she doesn’t usually wear rings. If she does, then you could try taking one or, as one site suggests, make an imprint in a bar of soap and then trace it.
3. Consider buying the setting & the diamond separately. This will allow you to check out the diamond to make sure you can assess its quality (more below) and it allows you to see the bands details.
4. Select a band type. Gold (also known as yellow gold), white gold, silver, platinum. Platinum is the most expensive option, but it is hypoallergenic, never loses its luster, and won’t change the appearance of your diamond’s color. White gold is less expensive than the platinum & not as durable, but it is shinier.
5. Setting. There are different settings that you can select for the diamond/gemstone to sit in. If you are buying a solitaire ring, the prong or claw setting is recommended. It cradles the diamond and allows the most light to pass through the stone. Other popular settings include channel, bar, and bezel.
6. Cut. Diamonds can be cut into many different shapes: pear, oval, heart, round, emerald, and princess, and many others. Some of those shapes make the diamond look brighter and shinier, but as you might imagine – those cost more. Some cuts, like Princess and pear, make the diamond look brighter and shinier; they’re also more expensive.  Round & emerald are alternatives that cost less.
7. Carat. The carat is the unit of measure used to weigh the diamond. When selecting a diamond, consider purchasing a slightly smaller diamond than you wanted to; 1.9 carats costs significantly less than 2 carats.
8. Clarity. You want to pick the ring with the most clarity that you can.  Diamonds are scored based on their clarity.  FL and IF are top of the line grades on the GIA clarity scale. VVS1 and VVS2 are also very good. VS1 and VS2 are diamonds with some small flaws. S1 and S2 to I1 – I3 are diamonds with very low clarity. If there are many imperfections in the diamond, the clarity score of the diamond can be low.
9. Color. Select a ring with the clearest color. If they’re not clear, they’re yellow — and that can look weird. Diamonds are rated by the GIA from D – Z, with D – F being colorless, G – J being near colorless, K – M with a slight yellow color, N – R with light yellow color, and S – Z with distinct yellow color.

If you’re having trouble figuring out what your future fiance(e) might like, go shopping together! Presumably you’ve talked about getting married, so going ring shopping is just a step in the process. The engagement itself can still be a surprise!

By the way, once you’re done shopping for the ring, may I suggest that you look into engagement ring insurance. You’d hate for something to happen to the ring (or that it gets lost) and not have insurance to get it replaced, right? Especially after you put in all that work! 

Good luck!

~ Natasha