Top 10 Tips for Purchasing an Engagement Ring

Selecting an engagement ring is a huge decision, second only to deciding to pop the question in the first place. If you are about to ask the big question, or trying to steer him in the right direction, consider these tips when shopping for an engagement ring.

1. Count your pennies: Before you start shopping, set your budget. Knowing what you are comfortable spending, and only looking at rings in that range, will prevent you from falling in love with one that will break the bank.
2. Quality counts: While style is crucial, so it quality. You don’t want to over pay for a low quality stone. Remember the 4 Cs of diamonds, Color, Cut, Carat Weight and Clarity, paying particular attention to the last one to avoid a stone that looks cloudy.
3. Consider her style: A ring can be completely stunning, but if it doesn’t reflect her sense of fashion, she probably won’t care for it. Think about the types of clothes and jewelry is normally wears. Is it ornate or basic? Look for a ring that has similar qualities.
4. Size matters: Carefully consider what caret weight you are looking for. Bigger is not always better, especially for ladies with very petite hands. However, diamonds seems to magically shrink over time. While you can always upgrade, or add additional stones later, you may want to at least consider a half carat larger than what you originally thought you wanted.
5. Size really does matter: Slipping the engagement ring on her finger for the first time is a magical moment no matter what, but it’s even better if the ring actually fits. Try to find out her ring size in advance, either from an existing piece of jewelry or from a friend, and have the piece you select sized before giving it to her.
6. Consider something unexpected: Diamonds have long been the traditional choice for bridal jewelry. However, celebrities and trendsetters are selecting surprising stones such as blue and yellow sapphires, emeralds and rubies. Selecting a beautiful, yet nontraditional, stone is sure to have everyone raving over her ring.
7. Select a metal: While the stone usually gets the most attention, the setting is equally as important. The most common choices in metals are yellow gold, white gold and platinum. Yellow gold, which is the most common, will eventually show scratches but can be easily repaired. White gold, which is incredibly popular right now, will eventually need the finish repaired as it can fade over time. Platinum is the strongest and least likely to become scratched but will cost more upfront.
8. Get a second opinion: It never hurts to get a little advice, even if you decide not to take it. Her best gal pal is likely to understand her style, and fashion in general, a bit better than you. Get some suggestions or drag her along for the shopping trip. But, at the end of the day, your opinion is the one that really counts.
9. Get it insured: Having an engagement ring get lost or damaged is heartbreaking no matter what, but having it insured with lessen the blow at least a bit. If you already have a homeowner’s policy you should be able to easily add the ring. Be sure to take photos of it and add it your home inventory in case you ever need to file a claim.
10. Select a pre-owned ring: Purchasing a ring that has been worn before can be an excellent way to get a great deal on a beautiful ring. This also opens up a whole new world of possibilities for vintage rings and hard-to-find styles. Just be sure to buy from a reputable dealer and have the ring, and especially the setting, checked and appraised.