Finding the perfect engagement ring
You are looking for an engagement ring? Congratulations on this big step! The process towards getting married is an exciting time, but sometimes just stressful! We think as grooms (and jewelers) who have been through these steps, and even more difficult, finding the right engagement ring, we can help you through it. The least we can do is share our experiences. There are numerous questions that come to mind when searching for the perfect engagement ring. How much should you spend? Where should you buy the engagement ring? What type of engagement ring should you buy? Which diamond should you choose? Or maybe an alternative stone? With so many options in front of you, we'll try to make the process easier. There are 5 steps to finding the perfect engagement ring. And another step if you're looking for an engagement ring for your partner, without your partner's knowledge.
- Find your partner's taste, colour, ring size.
- Choose a stone
- Origin of the stone
- What budget
- Find the style and setting
- Choose the material
Step 1: Find the ring size and taste of your partner
Know your partner's preference for rings
Finding the flavor of your partner's engagement ring is a process you should start early. Of course, this is a decision best left to you to make. Nonetheless, here are a few things we strongly recommend you do:
- Don't follow trends
- Involve others, such as your partner's stylish friend, an inspiring parent, or a local jeweler
- Steer conversations unobtrusively toward friends' engagement rings; a helpful comment is sure to come up
- Involve a jeweler, as often a person's fashion style and personality will lead to a particular type of engagement rings
- Choose the right colour: even though your partner may only wear gold jewelry, he/she may still want a classic white colour for the engagement ring
With these tips in mind, you're ready to look at the next five steps. Here we go...
Find the ring finger size
"How should I know the ring finger size?" We get this question very often. First of all, the size of the ring finger can be different on the left and right hand. So try to find out where your partner wants to wear the engagement ring, which is traditionally mostly on the left hand. Then the easiest way would be to secretly borrow an existing ring worn on that finger and ask us or a local jeweler to measure the ring with a ring gauge. If your partner doesn't have a ring for the ring finger, either measure the finger yourself or practice acting. In the latter case, you could persuade your partner to try on a random costume jewelry ring during your next shopping trip. If you want to secretly measure your partner's engagement ring size, use our ring sizing guide. Alternatively, contact us directly if you need help or a ring sizer. The best method is to use a thin string and wrap it loosely around your partner's finger while they sleep. Good luck with this!
Step 2: The stone
The first decision to make when looking for an engagement ring is choosing the center stone, what jewelers call "the solitaire." The most popular option is a diamond, but there are alternatives. Some of these alternatives include morganites and sapphires. Contact us for more information on alternative stones.
The Diamond
Diamonds have become a cultural symbol of love over the past century. Some of this is due to advertising. But much is due to the beauty, allure and ability of a diamond: The Infinite. Accordingly, if you ask us, we recommend a diamond because it can be worn every day without much wear and tear.
How do I choose the perfect diamond?
There are several factors that can influence your decision to choose a diamond: Shape, cut, size (carat), colour, clarity, also known as the 4Cs. Basically, if you're not sure what you're buying or aren't happy with the look of the stone, ask for a GIA certificate. The only downside to a GIA certificate is that the price of the diamond will increase significantly, while not necessarily being better. For more details on choosing the right diamond, see our special diamond blog post, or our explanation of the 4Cs of a diamond.
Step 3: Origin of the stone
After choosing the stone, it might be important for you to understand the origin. 99% of all stones come from legitimate sources due to many improvements in the last decades. For us, it is 100% of the stones. All our stones come from Canada, Botswana, South Africa and Australia from accredited and organized miners.Contact us forstones that are not mined but cultivated.
Step 4: Budget
There's a saying that you should spend three months of your salary on an engagement ring. Our opinion on this in a nutshell: It's a terrible marketing gimmick. Choosing a budget is a very personal decision that only you make. However, it does make sense to have a budget while looking for an engagement ring. With a plethora of options, permutations, and combinations of material and diamond qualities, the budget will allow you to find the combination that is right for you. So feel free to talk to us directly about it, we will create a beautiful engagement ring for all price ranges
Step 5: Style and frame
Choosing the design of your engagement ring is probably the most important step after choosing the centre stone. The design of the ring should express who your partner is, since she will be wearing the ring almost every day, if not every day. However, we ask that you keep a few things in mind when choosing a design:
- Trends will change, but changing an arrangement is not so easy
- Choose the engagement ring the way you would choose your house. You'll see it every day, and it's important that you don't get tired of wearing/seeing it.
- Certain styles go better with certain diamond shapes and cuts. Make sure the style matches the shape. Of course, we will be happy to assist you with this.
- Make sure the ring style and the colour you choose match. Some styles look better in certain colours.
- The style should match your lifestyle. Engagement rings are worn often. The material, height and security of the setting play a big role.
- If you are unsure, let us help you in a free individual appointment.
Step 5: Material
After you have chosen the style and the setting, the last step is about the material. Each material has its own nuances. The material you choose will determine the colour, the security of the diamond, and the wear of your ring. When it comes to white, we always recommend platinum because it lasts longer and stays white. For more detailed tips on choosing a ring material, read our guide to ring materials. We hope this little guide helps you out. As always, you can ask us for help or simply book a free in-store or virtual consultation.
Free appointment booking
We are happy to support you in your search for the perfect engagement ring. Book your free on-site consultation appointment or alternatively a virtual consultation appointment. We are looking forward to it!