If you’re reading this article, then you’re probably planning on popping the question to your significant other. Engagement ring shopping is a very fun, yet overwhelming endeavor. Unless you’ve already discussed the subject of potential engagement rings with your partner and have a clear idea of their perfect ring, you probably feel lost.
Purchasing an engagement ring for your significant other is among the most expensive investments you’ll ever have to make. This is why you need to ensure that you get it right. Read on for 4 ways to find a great engagement ring.
1. Decide on a Metal
There are endless options to choose from when it comes to engagement rings. The selection process will mostly consist of you narrowing down your choices, so it helps to start with the easiest decision to make. Engagement and wedding bands are typically made of one of 4 metals: platinum, yellow gold, silver, or white gold. During the past few years, however, rose gold also grew to be a very popular option. That said, there are numerous other options, such as titanium, tungsten, chrome, and cobalt to consider as well. Generally speaking, silver and platinum look a lot alike.
Silver is usually cheaper because it is less dense and more common than platinum. It’s also important to keep in mind that some metals are more prone to scratching than others. Therefore, you have to keep your partner’s lifestyle in mind. Your budget will also play a huge role in the selection process, so be sure to account for the price of the stones, which would make up the bulk of your investment, as you choose the ring’s band.
2. Shop by Style
You can make things a lot easier for yourself if you can figure out the shape your partner wants. This will allow you to focus on a certain group of options, and hopefully purchase the right ring. When you search by styles, keep in mind that each shape has its own pricing structure. This means that the price per carat differs from one shape to the other. Marquise and pear-shaped engagement rings are relatively reasonably priced, while round cuts are typically the most expensive. If you care more about the size of the ring rather than its shape, you can opt for a round-cut alternative. This way, you can add more carats at a lower price.
3. Consider the Cut and Clarity
It helps to read up on the different ring cuts and take a good look at them before you go out shopping for the ring. You can save a lot of money if you buy the lowest color diamond as long as it still appears colorless. For instance, you can go for an I or J color for white gold round diamonds, and all the way down to a K color if you purchase yellow gold. There’s a huge price gap between the colors J and D.
This tip also applies when choosing the clarity of the ring. You can save money by looking for the lowest clarity diamond as long as it appears clean. Again, there’s a huge price gap between a spotless diamond and an SI1 or SI2 clarity one. Some jewelers may argue, however, that you should never compromise the diamond’s cut quality. Ultimately, your decision comes down to your preference and budget.
4. Search For Certified Stones
You’re going to splurge a lot of money on your engagement ring. So, you need to be very mindful about your purchase and take the time to ensure it lives up to your expectations. You should never rush to buy a ring before you make sure that you’re purchasing an accredited laboratory-certified stone. The American Gem Society for the Gemological Institute of America is one of the most popular and reliable laboratories. Diamonds from untrusted sources can have inflated grades.
This means that they use lower quality diamonds but trick the customers to believe that they have a great deal on their hands. You need to ensure that the certificate matches its diamonds. You can take it to a trusted jeweler to inspect it. The girdles of the diamonds are usually inscribed with a laser. Your jeweler will be able to tell if the diamond matches the inconsistencies found on the certificate’s map.
There are many decisions to make and several things to keep in mind when choosing an engagement ring for your partner. Engagement ring shopping is a fairly expensive endeavor, so you want to be certain you purchase the perfect gift. This can be a tedious process, especially if you don’t know your future spouse’s preferences. Fortunately, these 4 tips will help you out.
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