How to Choose the Perfect Engagement Ring

Time to start shopping for an engagement ring? Congratulations! We’re thrilled for you and so excited you’re taking this huge step in your relationship. If you’re reading this post, you’re doing everything you can to ensure you choose the perfect engagement ring. We don’t blame you for doing your homework – in fact, it makes our job even easier.

When our clients visit us with a basic knowledge of the 4 C’s, a rough idea of what they’re looking for – or, as is the increasing custom, with the exact setting model they’d like from their favorite designer – we’re ready to help them choose the perfect ring.

Aside from those things mentioned above (if you already know them) what do you need to get the perfect engagement ring? Well, the first thing…

A Style

Chances are, you’ve done a little recon. You may already know that she loves halo engagement rings, or that a cushion cut solitaire is the way to her heart. This will help you narrow down the dizzying variety of rings in our showroom (or even online.) If you know her taste tends toward the simple, you can check out rings with spare, but impeccable details and focus your efforts on finding the perfect center diamond. If you know you need to go big or go home, we can help you find settings that will make any diamond look enormous and have plenty of added detail and accent diamonds for that extra sparkle.

A Brand Preference

This doesn’t even need to be a brand, per se. You might prefer to have something custom made, or you might want to buy a ready to wear engagement ring. However, let’s say you’ve been browsing her Pinterest. Chances are, there’s a trend here. You might be seeing a particular brand over and over without noticing at first (check the lower right hand corner for a subtle watermark!) Save any recurring styles of ring – or photos – as screen shots on your phone, and show them to the diamond adviser helping you. We may recognize a Verragio theme immediately, and know that she loves the Couture collection – even if she hasn’t written down an exact model number.

A Taste for Diamonds

Now that we’ve talked settings – let’s talk diamonds. Those 4 C’s we mentioned above? They’re your foundation. Even a quick crash course in these criteria will help you feel more confident before you step foot in a jeweler. Knowing the lingo – and what to look for – will help you feel more like an equal partner in the shopping experience, and that’s how we want you to feel – it’s your ring, after all! So, once you’ve boned up on Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat weight, you have a better idea of what determines a diamond’s price. You’ll also feel more confident when you see a diamond you recognize as high quality and beautiful – rather than relying on a certificate or the jewelers’ knowledge alone.

A Budget

It might not be as much fun as all the other things you need to know, but your bottom line is obviously very important (to us and to you!) Even if that answer is “unlimited”, you need to ask yourself what you’re comfortable spending before you start shopping. There is no hard and fast rule, no monthly salary trick, no way to gauge how much you should spend on an engagement ring besides your own judgment. Any jeweler who tells you otherwise is someone you should think twice about shopping with. If you’re ready to pay cash, great. but chances are, you’re interested in financing options. Your jeweler should be happy to explain the financing approval process to you, and let you know if there are any specials coming up.

Shopping for the perfect ring should be an enjoyable experience – not stressful! Whether you’re starting form scratch with a custom design, using our designer settings to build your perfect engagement ring, or shopping ready to wear, we’re willing and eager to help!