You’ve found the love of your life, and you’ve decided to propose, but planning the proposal is the easy part. First, you need to embark on the exciting but overwhelming journey of finding the perfect engagement ring.
Not sure where to start? These simple tips will make your search for a ring a little easier and help you turn your proposal into an unforgettable moment.
8 Expert Tips to Help You Choose the Perfect Engagement Ring
- Forget the Trends
You want an engagement ring to be timeless – it should be something one of your children would be proud to wear or propose with when they’re older. When you’re picking an engagement ring, it should be purely about your fiancé and their unique preferences and style. Take a cue from the jewellery they currently wear to help guide your choices.
- Get to Know the 4 C’s
Before you start your search, gain a clearer understanding of the 4 C’s, which are colour, clarity, cut and carat. These are the global standards for assessing the quality of diamonds and should guide your shopping journey. It also helps to decide which of these C’s are the most important to you, as this will narrow down your choices.
- Colour: Colour is graded on a D-to-Z scale. A diamond with a D-grading doesn’t have any colour, while a Z-grading indicates a yellow or brown colour. D-grade diamonds are much rarer and, naturally, more expensive.
- Clarity: Diamonds are graded on a scale from Flawless to Included. Basically, it evaluates diamond irregularities and blemishes. The more flawless a diamond is, the more sought-after it is.
- Cut: The cut of a diamond determines how it interacts with light. The proportions, symmetry and polish all play a role in this.
- Carat: The final C indicates a diamond’s size. The larger the carat weight, the rarer and more valuable a diamond is.
It’s also recommended that you ask for a diamond grading report, which will contain all of this important information.
- Understand Shapes and Cuts
Next, you want to learn more about the different diamond shapes and cuts. Shape refers to the outline of a diamond when you look at it from above. Round, oval, pear, square, and heart are just a few of the shape options. The cut refers to how a diamond’s angles are arranged. Princess, oval, marquise, and brilliant are some of the most popular cut styles, with the brilliant having the most facets. This means brightness is maximised.
- Don’t Leave the Setting for Last
While there are some standard settings, this is where you can get a little creative. The setting is what’s going to ultimately frame the diamond you pick. This is also where you want to take your fiance’s style into consideration.
- Decide on the Metal for the Band
One of the final decisions you will need to make is the metal you want to use for the band. Yellow, white, and rose gold are all options, as are platinum and silver. Keep in mind that the metal you use can change the appearance of your ring – it needs to complement the stone you decide on.
You should also consider the fact that certain metals will show scratches more easily, gold being at the top of the list. Depending on your occupation or exposure to hand creams, sanitiser etc, white gold may require to be re-rhodium plated every twelve months.
Work with a Trusted Jeweller
Working with a jeweller can make shopping for an engagement ring a lot smoother. Along with helping you with a custom design, a jeweller can tell you more about the pros and cons of certain diamonds, metals and settings, helping you make a more informed decision. A jeweller can also provide you with the best options based on your budget, ensuring you don’t compromise on quality.
- Find That Ring Size
Once you’ve done the hard work of picking or designing an engagement ring, you need to make sure it’s the right size. This can be tricky if you’re planning to keep the proposal a complete surprise. If you’re not willing to go to a jeweller to get your partner’s ring measured, find a ring they wear on their ring or even their middle finger to determine the size. Another option is to get a friend or family member to help you find this information without giving anything away.
It’s completely fine if the ring is slightly big or small, a jeweller can easily help you with resizing. Just know that it’s easier to make a ring smaller than bigger – not impossible, just slightly more complex.
- Bring Someone Along for the Ride
You don’t need to go on the engagement ring journey alone. Find someone you trust and who knows your fiance well to accompany you to the jewellers you have in mind. It always helps to have a second opinion and someone who can offer invaluable insights into what your partner may or may not love.
Even though you want your engagement ring to be perfect, know that even if you do get it wrong, you can always exchange it or change it up. Just be sure to check the store’s exchange policy before you commit to the ring that will change your life forever.
If you need any help selecting or resizing your engagement ring, we invite you to visit us at Martins of Glasgow, where we specialise in all things jewellery-related.