So, you’ve found the one you want to spend your life with, and you’re starting your search for a diamond ring to ask the big question – congratulations! Choosing the right engagement ring is an important step in your journey to forever. This process starts weeks, months, sometimes years before you actually get down on one knee—and the ring will sparkle on her finger every day of her life.
While it’s an exciting time, we know firsthand just how overwhelming buying engagement rings can feel. With our expert advice and answers to the most common questions, you’ll feel completely prepared to find the proposal-perfect ring for your love. Keep our guide to shopping for engagement rings handy as you start your search.
The Origins of the Engagement Ring
If you think back, you can probably conjure up an image of your mother, grandmother, maybe even great-grandmother, sporting a dazzling diamond on their left hand. But did you know the tradition goes back even further? Engagement rings have been a popular tradition for centuries.
Experts can trace the very first engagement rings back to ancient Rome, where rustic circles of bone, flint, or iron were often used to signify a betrothal. This ring was gifted directly to the woman’s father, rather than the bride. These jewelry pieces acted more as a business contract than a romantic gesture.
The first diamond engagement ring was commissioned by the Archduke Maximillian of Austria in 1477 as a gift for his betrothed, Mary of Burgundy. This practice quickly became a trend amongst the nobility of the court, slowly trickling down to the lower classes (at a less grand level, of course). It’s remained the expected choice for engagement jewelry ever since.
The Importance of Buying the Right Engagement Ring for Your Partner
If your future fiancée is the one, they must be one-of-a-kind—and so should their ring! When it comes to buying engagement rings, it can be easy to get swept up in the latest trends or lean towards something basic, but remember: your bride has her own unique style. Consider every single design detail as you browse to ensure the piece perfectly aligns with your partner’s aesthetic.
You should also remember that shopping for an engagement ring is more than just a task on your to-do list! It’s not just a piece of jewelry—it’s a symbol of your undying love and commitment. The ideal design will capture your special love story in a design she loves and serve as a lasting reminder of your eternal devotion for decades to come.
Top Engagement Ring Questions to Ask Your Bride-to-Be
When it comes to buying engagement rings, the majority of partners want to keep the purchase a surprise. But one should never go shopping completely blind! Make sure you (or a trusted loved one) get the answers to these specific questions:
- What style do they prefer?
- What type of metal do they like to wear?
- Do they have a favorite diamond cut?
- Would they like to incorporate any gems from an heirloom design?
- Do they love any specific design elements, such as filigree or milgrain?
- Would they like a subtle or elaborate design better?
- Do they prefer classic diamonds or nontraditional gemstones?
Our 7-Step Guide to Buying an Engagement Ring
There’s a good chance that this is the first time you’re buying an engagement ring. Lucky for you, we’ve gone through this hundreds, if not thousands, of times! When you start to shop for engagement ring styles, follow these seven steps for a smooth experience:
Step 1: Set a Budget
Before you and your fiancée-to-be fall in love with a design, make sure you’ve set a realistic budget. Consider your income, savings, and upcoming expenses to decide on an amount you can comfortably afford. Once you’ve assessed your finances, share your budget with your jeweler to ensure you stay within your desired range.
Understanding Engagement Ring Prices
Browsing rings is one thing—looking at engagement ring prices is another. The average diamond ring typically falls between $5,000 and $10,000, but that number can vary widely depending on the different design details, like jewelry metal used and diamond quality and size. If you have any questions about why an engagement ring price is what it is, don’t hesitate to ask.
Step 2: Consider the Bride’s Style
Understanding how to describe your potential bride’s style is a helpful starting point when connecting with a jeweler about buying an engagement ring. This design is something she will likely wear every single day for the rest of her life, so matching the diamond ring to her personal style is vital.
If you haven’t discussed it with her directly, ask friends and family members about her preferences. Don’t forget to browse pictures saved on her Pinterest, note ring buzzwords you’ve heard her mention, and, if she’s involved, consider her dream designers and inspiration photos.
If she leans more timeless, consider classic looks that have remained popular for generations, such as a white gold solitaire diamond ring. For a more vintage style, look into cushion-cut diamond rings in yellow gold that draw inspiration from past design decades, such as the filagree work of Art Deco or the over-the-top extravagance of the Victorian era. If she appreciates “out there” contemporary styles, don’t hesitate to think outside the box with vibrant gemstones and statement sizes.
Step 3: Pick the Correct Gemstone
Choosing the right gemstone when buying an engagement ring often comes down to personal preference. Once you’ve determined your partner’s desired style, consider if she would prefer a timeless diamond or a contemporary gem.
Diamonds remain the most popular choice for engagement rings for a few reasons. As the hardest natural substance, a diamond is the most resistant to everyday wear and tear, making it a worry-free choice for something worn as often as wedding jewelry. With an unmatched brilliance and ability to refract light, a diamond ring will never lose its sparkle.
On the other hand, though diamond rings have been the traditional choice for the past couple of centuries, they aren’t the only option. These days, many modern brides are opting for gemstone engagement rings instead. This daring choice offers the wearer a way to showcase their distinct personality and add a flash of color to their everyday outfits.
Popular Gemstones for Engagement Rings
Each colorful gemstone is imbued with its own symbolism and meaning, making buying an engagement ring feel all the more personal:
- Ruby: the birthstone for July symbolizes passion, prosperity, and long life
- Opal: the birthstone for October represents hope, purity, and fidelity
- Emerald: the birthstone for May is known for true love, bliss, and protection
- Sapphire: the birthstone for September symbolizes devotion, abundance, and faithfulness
- Pearl: the birthstone for June represents innocence, new beginnings, and wisdom
Can an Engagement Ring Feature Multiple Stones?
Yes, an engagement ring can absolutely feature more than one center stone. In fact, some of the most popular pieces do! Multi-stone rings allow for an endless range of creativity, from two-stone rings featuring you and your partner’s birthstones to a diamond piece surrounded by smaller cuts of your favorite gemstone.
Step 4: Research the 4Cs of Diamonds
If you do decide to buy an engagement ring with diamonds, you’ll want to have a deeper understanding of how these sparkling gems are graded and valued. These are the four characteristics used to evaluate and compare diamond quality:
- Clarity: the number and presence of internal and external flaws within the stone
- Cut: how the facets of the diamond interact with the light
- Carat: the weight of the diamond (not its size, as many assume)
- Color: the absence or presence of coloration in a stone, with colorless being the most valuable
Step 5: Decide on the Type of Metal
As you shop for engagement rings, you’ll be amazed to see just how many different kinds of metals are used to bring the dazzling designs to life. If you haven’t been explicitly told otherwise, we recommend consulting your bride’s existing jewelry collection and choosing the type of metal she usually wears. Some of the most popular bridal jewelry options are made with:
- Yellow gold
- White gold
- Platinum
- Rose gold
- Sterling silver
Step 6: Choose an Engagement Ring Setting
Settings, which refer to how the gemstones and diamonds are mounted into the metal band, are one of the most critical factors in terms of both durability and aesthetics. Different ring settings can affect the engagement ring price and should be chosen based on your partner’s lifestyle. Many people grow up dreaming of one of these popular ring settings:
Halo Ring Settings
Halo rings feature a center stone encircled by a ring of smaller set diamonds or gemstones. This setting is designed to enhance the main stone’s sparkle, giving it the illusion of appearing larger. A halo diamond and ruby ring is perfect for those who sport vintage styles and love a glamorous accessory.
Prong Ring Setting
Prong settings, like the timeless solitaire, are a classic and minimalist option for engagement rings where three or four small prongs extend from the shank to bend over the stone, securing it in place and ensuring it’s wearable for everyday style. When you look at a white gold four-prong engagement ring, you can see how the light reaches the entire stone and enhances its beautiful sparkle.
Pavé Band Ring Setting
Pavé settings feature a smattering of small stones set together in a row along the band or in a cluster, creating a stunning, reflective glimmer for your central diamond or acting as their own dazzling focal point. Easily stackable with a wedding band and ultra-brilliant, a round diamond pavé engagement ring is an amazing statement piece.
Three-Stone Ring Settings
Three-stone diamond rings typically feature a single center stone flanked by two smaller stones on either side, sweetly signifying your past, present, and future as a couple. These can be made with all diamonds for a sophisticated shine or more colorful gemstones for extra vibrancy. A three-stone ring that includes both diamond halos and colorful gems is the perfect choice for brides who love to stand out.
7. Remember to Get the Bride’s Ring Size
Though many reputable jewelry companies offer complimentary resizing, it’s always best to determine your partner’s ring size ahead of time. The most reliable method is to have them try on a ring that always fits them well and have it measured in person by a jeweler. If you want to keep the proposal a surprise, discreetly ask a friend or family member to gather the information for you.
Commonly Asked Questions When Buying Engagement Rings
Shopping for engagement rings is no easy feat! If you have questions, you’re not the only one. Here are a few of the answers to the most frequently asked questions when buying engagement rings:
Q: When is the Right Time to Buy an Engagement Ring?
A: Experts recommend buying engagement rings two to three months before your proposal date. This gives you and your jewelry enough time to discuss every design detail, possible customizations, and potential adjustments that may be needed.
Q: Where to Buy Engagement Rings?
A: The jeweler you choose should have a reputable history and be personable—after all, they’re aiding you in one of the most important decisions of your life! When you’re shopping for engagement rings, these are the top things to check for when looking for a jeweler:
- Are they Bench Certified?
- Do they offer repair services?
- Do they have a good number of positive reviews?
- Do they offer upgrades or warranties?
How Much Should an Engagement Ring Cost?
We’ve all heard the notion that engagement rings should cost two to three months’ salary, but this rule is now considered outdated. Instead, prioritize a dollar amount that you can comfortably afford without any financial strain. After all, if they’re the one, they’ll love the piece you propose with regardless!
Designing a Custom Engagement Ring
If you’re looking to update a family heirloom or can’t quite find a new design you and your partner adore, it’s time to consider creating your own engagement ring. Should you choose to go this route, understand that the steps remain the same as if you were shopping for engagement rings in the showcase—you just have the ability to hand-pick each design element according to your own tastes for a unique ring that’s exactly what you envision.
Pro tip: Ask your jeweler for more information on the possible custom design services they offer to see if they can bring your engagement ring dreams to life. If they have experience creating custom designs, they’ll have a portfolio of their past work and proof of qualifications to show you.
When just looking at your sweetheart sets off wedding bells in your head, you know it’s time to start shopping for engagement rings. Whether shopping together or browsing solo, it’s important to get a good idea of exactly what you’re looking for before you stop by. Gather your questions, inspiration photos, and head to your favorite jeweler to buy an engagement ring and set out on one of life’s sweetest adventures.
