Shopping for an engagement ring should be a joyful experience. Although you may have some anxiety about making the right choice, you have already tackled the first challenge — finding the perfect someone to propose to and spend your life loving — and that is something special. With just a little background knowledge, you can be well on your way to making a wonderful ring choice when you get engaged.
This engagement ring guide assumes you are shopping for a ring on your own. However, many couples do choose to shop for rings together, with the partner who will wear the ring making the final choice or at least narrowing down the options. Whichever way you decide to shop, this guide helps you get started with the basics.
Determine a Budget
An engagement ring is typically a major investment. In fact, for many ring shoppers, buying an engagement ring ends up being one of the most expensive purchases they have ever made. That’s why one of the top engagement ring buying tips is to figure out how much you are comfortable spending before you start looking at rings.
Although old marketing gimmicks tried to tell couples how many months’ salary they should spend on a ring, those practices are now obsolete. The right budget for you depends strictly on your personal finances. As the arbiter of taste Vogue magazine suggests, “Get the ring that's perfect for the person, not the ring whose price tag aligns with an arbitrary algorithm."
Examine Their Personal Style
When it comes to figuring out how to buy the right engagement ring, there is no perfect engagement ring; there is only the perfect engagement ring for your partner. If you have never bought jewelry for your partner, now is a good time to take a close look at the jewelry they choose to wear every day. Do they favor big, bold, statement jewelry or subtle, minimalist styles? Do they love to scour estate sales for vintage pieces, or are they always on trend? Of course, you might have a partner that has already hinted or downright told you what type of engagement ring they want, in which case you can skip this step altogether.
Ask Around
This is a guide to engagement rings, but that doesn’t mean you have to do the shopping all on your own. Preparing to pop the question is a great reason to reach out to your beloved’s close friends and get their input. Not only can they give you inside tips on how to choose a ring your partner will love, but they can also give you some ideas for how to plan the proposal and possibly help throw them off the scent if you want the day to be a total surprise.
Keep an Open Mind
Our guide to engagement rings must include tips on how to shop diamond engagement rings, but the truth is that more and more people are deciding on non-traditional rings that may not include diamonds at all. It’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to buy the biggest diamond within your budget, but it’s much better to keep an open mind about the kind of ring that your partner will love instead.
For example, maybe they love colorful jewelry and would prefer a more colorful gemstone, like a sapphire or the soft hue of Morganite. Or perhaps they would rather have a more unique diamond shape, like an emerald cut or heart cut, for a custom look. A traditional solitaire diamond is right for some people but not right for others. It’s all about personal taste, so don’t put your partner in a box when they might like something that is more unique.
Choose a Jeweler
A reputable jeweler like Hannoush Jewelers can go a long way toward setting your mind at ease when shopping for an engagement ring. Experienced staff can not only guide you through the process of choosing a ring that meets all your specifications, but they can also help you understand store policies, including engagement ring financing options.
For instance, many jewelers make it easy to exchange an engagement ring if your new spouse-to-be decides that they would really prefer something else — despite your best efforts. Most jewelers also offer free resizing so you can be sure the ring fits your partner perfectly after you pop the question. Browsing online can be a good place to start, but there is nothing more helpful than visiting a local showroom and seeing what the rings on display actually look like.
If you’re ready to start down this road, consider stopping in to a Hannoush Jewelers showroom in Albany or Clifton Park, New York. Our knowledgeable staff will be happy to assist you and make sure you walk out with all the confidence you need to get down on bended knee.