Starting the search for an engagement is a significant step in your relationship. And the ring you choose is important too – it’s meant to symbolize your love and your future marriage. But with so many different factors to consider, choosing the perfect engagement ring isn’t easy. Fortunately, you take the very first step today by searching for engagement rings online.
Making decisions about precious metals, diamond shapes and styles, and ring sizing can make engagement ring shopping challenging. But if you know what factors are the most important to keep in mind, you can make the task easier and find the perfect ring for your partner. And you can browse a wide range of options by searching for engagement rings online today.
Before you start the search for the perfect engagement ring, make sure to consider these four important factors.
1. Your Partner’s Everyday Life
Sparkle and shine are usually two of the qualities that people immediately think of when they think about engagement rings. But there’s another factor that’s far more important: the person who’s going to be wearing the engagement ring every day.
Your partner should be one of your first considerations when you begin shopping for an engagement ring. You’ll want to think about their personal style. What kinds of jewelry do they wear every day? Do they frequently wear large, fashion-forward pieces? Or do they tend more towards classic style? Are they rarely seen in jewelry? These factors can help you decide whether a standout ring or a smaller, more subtle ring is the best place to begin.
You’ll also want to think about your partner’s daily life. Consider what they do for a living and whether they put their hands through a lot of wear and tear. Does your partner work with their hands? Do they work in an office setting? Certain metals, like platinum, are built tougher than other, more delicate metals. For example, white gold has a finish that can wear off over time. Try to consider how your partner will be wearing the ring to get a better idea of what may suit their personal preferences.
2. The Stone Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect
A diamond engagement ring is a classic, timeless choice. And choosing a diamond that’ll really make your partner fall in love with their ring is important – but it can be very expensive to opt for a flawless, stunning diamond.
Many engagement ring shoppers want to impress their partners with the best, most perfect diamond they can afford. However, the diamond you choose doesn’t actually have to be perfect.
Diamond experts and jewelry stores use the four Cs – color, cut, clarity, and carat – to judge how “perfect” a diamond is. But you shouldn’t aim for perfection. A Grade D Flawless stone is beautiful, but an imperfect diamond can be just as stunning. And opting for an imperfect diamond can save you money. You can opt for a colorless diamond that isn’t perfectly clear, or a smaller carat diamond with gorgeous clarity if it looks great to you. Use the four Cs as a starting point, but don’t weigh them too heavily.
Don’t forget to consider other gemstone options too. While diamonds are a popular choice, you can use other stones for a more unique engagement ring. Moissanite is a growing diamond alternative that’s more affordable, and colorful stones like rubies or sapphires can add brilliant color for couples who don’t want to opt for diamonds.
3. Don’t Forget About the Setting
Picking the diamond is usually the focus of engagement ring shopping. But you definitely need to consider the ring’s setting too. In fact, the setting is just as important – it’s where the gemstone you choose will sit.
There are countless settings you can choose from when it comes to engagement rings. Some settings are focused on a center diamond or gemstone alone. Others use a combination of stones, such as pave diamonds around the band or two side-set diamonds cushioning the center diamond. More intricate settings that look like artwork or that mimic vintage ring styles are also options. You can even custom design a setting.
You should think of the center stone as a piece of art and the setting as the frame that’ll wrap around the art.
4. You Need to Do a Lot of Research Before Buying a Ring
Before you can even consider handing over your hard-earned money for an engagement ring, you need to do your research. Research is absolutely essential for a purchase that’s this costly and this significant.
Doing your research ahead of time can also save you money. Engagement rings are one of the most marked up items you’ll find in jewelry stores – in fact, some rings are marked up by as much as 500 percent. That means jewelers don’t actually need to charge you as much money as they’re claiming a ring costs.
If you do your research first, you’ll be prepared to negotiate. Don’t be afraid to ask jewelers to meet your budget or lower their prices. You’ll be surprised that many jewelers will work with customers to get an excellent quality ring for an affordable price. Additionally, you can also research alternatives to shopping at traditional jewelry stores. Wholesale retailers, private retailers, and even online retailers can all help you save money. But you have to search online and do your research before you shop.