Our Ten Best Tips For Buying An Engagement Ring
Is it time to start looking for an engagement ring? If so, congratulations! Remember: An engagement ring is a large expenditure, so you want to ensure you do it well. Buying an engagement ring and getting ready for the proposal is an exhilarating moment, and it's all too easy to get caught up in romanticism while forgetting about the practical reality!
Our comprehensive guide will help you discover the ideal engagement ring for your significant other, whether you search for rings jointly or separately.
1) Know The 4Cs Of Diamond Quality
If like most people, you are looking for a diamond engagement ring, like most people do, you should be aware of the 4Cs before making your purchase. A diamond's quality is assessed using the 4Cs; here is a quick summary of them:
Cut: The quality of a diamond's cut impacts how effectively it captures and reflects light.
Colour: A measure of a white diamond's level of colourlessness. The ideal white diamond is entirely colourless and transparent.
Clarity: A diamond's clarity is determined by its internal and external perfection.
Carat: A weight measurement known as a carat can help you understand a diamond’s size.
In our 4Cs Education Section, you can learn more about the 4Cs of diamond quality.
2) Set Your Budget
De Beers' advertising wizards began running an advertisement during the Great Depression encouraging men to spend a whole month's income on a ring if they wanted to appear "responsible"—a campaign that would have made Mad Men’s Don Draper pleased. This figure had somehow grown to two months in the 1980s.
The accepted wisdom nowadays is that a man should budget at least three months' worth of income to purchase this piece of heirloom jewellery. All this is no more than cunning marketing; there's no need to follow it!.
The reality is that determining how much you need to budget to buy an engagement ring is not an exact science. Some women prefer small, less costly diamonds (or prefer other gemstones). Some women would rather wear a vintage ring, while others opt for a basic band with no adornment.
The best strategy is to choose a ring that is ideal for the person rather than one whose cost fits within some artificial calculation.
The typical cost of an engagement ring in the UK in 2022 was between £4,000 and £5,000, but you shouldn't feel pressured to stick with the norm; what's most essential is that you spend what you can afford and get the most for your money.
That said, to protect your wallet and bank account, it makes a lot of sense to set a limit for the purchase that will not break the bank. You might spend a little less or more, but by having some limit, you will be unlikely to regret that purchase the moment you place your order!
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3) Buy The Ring Together
Historically, it was the man who purchased an engagement ring. Times are changing, and we see that today, the choice of the ring is, to at least some degree, a joint decision. It may be that your girlfriend drops hints or you do the shopping, whether online or in traditional shops, together.
If you prefer the more traditional route and fly solo, then there are things you can do to make it more likely that she will love your choice.
Shopping for an engagement ring can be challenging. Try these suggestions to get you started on the right path:
A) Enlisting your friends' assistance can make the experience more manageable.
B) Ask people who have just gotten engaged for recommendations on jewellers.
C) Get advice from a person who knows both you and your future spouse, has a taste that you admire, and whose judgement you value for matters of taste and appearance.
D) There is a good chance that the person you are purchasing the ring for already has a concept of what she wants in her head; she may have discussed it with a buddy (or added images to a Pinterest board).
E) Use a ring she already owns as a guide to her ring size. Remember that you can get most ring types resized by one or two sizes, so a slight error here is not usually a catastrophe. Err on the side of too large rather than too small because you want the ring to fit on her finger when you propose!
Asking her about the ring: It's a bit of a wild thought, but why not ask your partner what her ideal engagement ring would be if you're really determined to get it perfect and have no idea? If you phrase it as a light-hearted joke, they might start to wonder, but if it means getting the ring just right, go for it!
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Is this the perfect diamond engagement ring? Complete with a sparkling 2.70 carats of G/SI quality diamonds set in a UK hallmarked 9k white gold band, this ring is the ultimate statement of love. The delicate diamonds are sure to… read more
4) What Is Her Jewellery Style?
When choosing an engagement ring and a diamond shape, consider what jewellery your significant other typically wears. Does she enjoy accessorising with costume jewellery? Does she even wear jewellery? When it comes to fashion, is she always in style?
A classic engagement ring that matches every outfit she puts together will likely appeal to someone who enjoys switching and changing her jewellery based on their outfit. A princess-cut or a traditional solitaire on a white gold band would be suitable choices. If she wears the same pieces of jewellery every day or doesn’t wear much jewellery, you can use a little more creativity. She might like sporting a striking engagement ring; consider a marquise shape or a halo ring style.
A rose gold engagement ring might be the best option if she likes to wear the most recent trends because rose gold is very much “on trend” right now. Examine what she likes to wear and how she responds to jewellery trends. You should pick a ring that goes well with her sense of fashion.
5) What Type Of Stone Should You Choose?
If you buy without your girlfriend’s input, then the only safe choice (unless she already told you differently) is a diamond. But what about size or shape?
We discussed a little about the shape above, and most jewellers will be happy to give advice. The most popular diamond shape, by far, is the brilliant round diamond which is loved for its brilliance and sparkle but if her sense of style allows for some flexibility, then go for it! Sometimes, when trying rings, your girlfriend may discover that she wants something different from what she thought she wanted in terms of size or shape—it always changes once you start seeing things on your finger in real life.
The age-old debate between quantity and quality also applies to engagement rings. While some choose a larger stone over a whiter stone, others prefer the clearest diamond they can find, regardless of carat size. You and perhaps your girlfriend should be aware of the size of her stone. Despite claims by many women to the contrary, size is always the starting point because colour and clarity can always be adjusted to fit your budget – but a stone that is too small cannot be magically made larger! When shopping together, having a mental image of the diamond's desired physical size will help you make the right choice within your budget limitations. You can be flexible on colour, cut and clarity to get the right size centre diamond.
Remember that if budget stops you from buying a diamond of the size you’d like, choosing a ring with a diamond halo consisting of one or more rows of small diamonds around the centre stone will give the visual effect of a larger stone at a much lower price.
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6) About The Size Of The Ring
Knowing your partner's ring size might be helpful when purchasing an engagement ring, even though it is unnecessary. Borrow a ring from her and get it sized at a jeweller if you are unsure of her size and don't want to ask.
Online retailers have ring size charts on which you can place their jewellery if you're concerned that taking one of their rings off will make them suspicious. While not always precise, these will get you close to the actual ring size you should buy.
Asking a friend or member of your family to investigate this for you would be a last resort. They might try several things with your girlfriend to obtain a general idea of size. Before shopping for an engagement ring, if you cannot accomplish any of the aforementioned, check with the retailer you plan to purchase from that the ring you select can be adjusted. It is better to be too large than small. The most challenging rings to resize are those with diamonds all around the band in the style of an eternity ring, but even these can usually be altered; it just takes more work!
7) What Type Of Setting Should You Choose?
You can select settings to complement any aspect of her character, from the understated grace of a solitaire design to the intricate details of a vintage-style ring's metalwork.
Because the diamond won't protrude as much as it would with other styles, you should consider getting a bezel setting or a flush setting for your future wife if she leads an active lifestyle or has work that requires her to be hands-on. If you want to give someone a ring that no one else has, suggest something more personalised. We can create a unique ring designed just for you using your design ideas.
8) Where To Shop Online And Offline
We have repeatedly discovered over our many years of experience that reputable online jewellery retailers provide the best selection and value in the market. We and other respected online diamond jewellery specialists have some of the best inventories available.
Over our many years in the jewellery industry, we've found that most brick-and-mortar shops cost anywhere between 20 and 100 per cent more than reliable internet retailers like All Diamond.
Simply said, online retailers, not local shops, are where you'll find practically all of the finest bargain diamond rings.
Because of this, we strongly advise using a trustworthy online diamond jewellery retailer rather than a physical store when looking for an engagement ring. Additionally, to getting a better price, you'll have access to a wider variety of diamonds and settings for your engagement ring.
If you're hesitant to buy diamond jewellery online, know that with All Diamond, you have thirty days from the day you receive the ring to exchange or return any item, thanks to our excellent return policies. We also offer a lifetime workmanship guarantee on all our jewellery. All things considered, the best place to get an engagement ring is from a retailer you can rely on. To help you choose the right retailer, read internet reviews and consult with friends.
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9) What Precious Metal Should You Choose For Your Ring?
You have four primary choices for setting metal: platinum, white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold.
First, pick a colour that best highlights your partner's sense of style. If she typically wears silver jewellery, use white gold. If she usually wears more colourful jewellery, consider getting her a rose gold ring. In general, white gold is chosen over platinum. While white gold resembles platinum in appearance, it is significantly less expensive and requires less maintenance.
Second, remember that the type of alloy used to create each type of gold is the key distinction between the different karat values of gold. 9K gold contains 37.5% gold, 14K gold has 58.3 % gold, and 18K gold is 75% pure gold. Each grade is strengthened by adding other metals so that the gold is durable enough to be used in jewellery. Pure gold is 24K but is rarely used as pure gold is very soft and is not durable enough for long-term use.
The most common metal used in our engagement rings is 18K gold. It costs more than 9K gold but has the advantage of being a darker yellow colour, often associated with pure gold. 9K gold is attractive but has a more pale colour due to the other metals mixed into the alloy. However, in the end, everything boils down to taste.
Many people choose precious metals to suit the skin tone of the wearer. Those with a pale complexion often choose yellow gold, which tends to warm up the complexion. Historically, engagement rings have been made with white gold, but there is no absolute rule. In the end, choose the colour that the wearer prefers!
10) Don’t Rush Into A Purchase
Consider the purchase of an engagement ring as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, one that should be savoured and obsessed over for as much time as is required. Do you believe that in your search, you will have found the one you've been looking for? If so, that’s great, but don’t stop there. Continue your search after making a note about it, save some images of it, and inquire whether or not it will sell out.
Before you spend any money, make sure you have exhausted all your options by conducting searches online and at traditional brick-and-mortar stores. If you've given yourself a deadline, you should ignore it until you are as sure you have found the right ring as you are certain about your choice of your future wife!
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Final Thoughts
Buying an engagement ring presents a one-of-a-kind opportunity to demonstrate to your soon-to-be fiancée how devoted you are to her. The experience of buying an engagement ring can be stressful and confuse the unprepared buyer. If you follow our tips above, the entire process will start to become fun!
Keep in mind the reason you're doing it, or more specifically, the person you're doing it for, and everything else will fall into place. Your future fiancée will love her ring every day throughout your lives together.
At All Diamond, we have a vast range of engagement rings at a wide range of prices. All of our diamond engagement rings are designed and handcrafted in the UK. We support our artisan’s work with a lifetime workmanship guarantee. Because you can only be sure that you have made the right choice when the engagement ring is worn and seen in the conditions of your own home, we offer a 30-day return or exchange policy.
Please take a few minutes to be inspired by our collections of diamond engagement rings. Take your time, relax and see just how you can choose a beautiful ring that you will be as proud to offer to your fiancée as she will be to wear.
You can find our diamond engagement rings right here.
