Finding the perfect engagement ring
Are you looking for an engagement ring? Congratulations on taking this big step! The process leading up to the wedding is an exciting time, but sometimes stressful too! There are numerous questions that come to mind when searching for the perfect engagement ring. How much do you want to spend? Where should you buy the engagement ring? What type of engagement ring should you buy? Which diamond should you choose? Or perhaps 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.
- Find your partner's taste, color, ring size
- Choose a stone
- Origin of the stone
- Find your 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 taste of your partner's engagement ring is a process that you should start early. Of course, this is a decision that you are best placed to make.
Nevertheless, here are a few things we strongly recommend:
- Don't follow trends
- Involve others, e.g. your partner's stylish friend or an inspiring parent
- Steer conversations inconspicuously towards friends' engagement rings, a helpful comment is sure to follow
- Involve a jeweler, as a person's fashion style and personality often lead to a certain type of engagement ring
- Choose the right color: Even though your partner may only wear gold jewelry, he/she may still want a classic white color for the engagement ring
Find the ring finger size
"How should I know the size of my ring finger?"
We get this question very often. First of all, the size of the ring finger on the left and right hand can be different. So try to find out where your partner wants to wear the engagement ring, which is traditionally usually on the left hand. Then the easiest thing to do would be to secretly borrow an existing ring that is worn on that finger and ask us or a local jeweler to measure the ring with a ring measurer. If your partner doesn't have a ring for the ring finger, either measure the finger yourself or practise acting. In the latter case, you could persuade your partner to try on any costume jewelry ring during your next shopping trip. If you want to secretly measure your partner's ring size for the engagement ring, use our ring size 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 that!
Step 2: The stone
The first decision to be made when looking for an engagement ring is the choice of the central stone, what jewelers call "the solitaire". The most popular option is a diamond, but there are alternatives. Some of these alternatives are 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. So 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 various factors that can influence your choice of diamond: Shape, cut, size (carat), color, clarity, also known as the 4Cs. Basically, if you are not sure what you are buying or are not happy with the appearance of the stone, ask for a GIA certificate. The only disadvantage of a GIA certificate is that the price of the diamond increases significantly and is not necessarily better. For more details on choosing the right diamond, check out our dedicated diamond blog post, or our explanation of the 4Cs of a diamond.
Step 3: Origin of the stone
After selecting the stone, it may be important for you to understand its origin. 99% of all stones come from legitimate sources due to many improvements over 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 for stones that are not mined but cultivated.
Step 4: Budget
There is a saying that you should spend three months of your salary on an engagement ring. Our opinion in a nutshell: It's a terrible marketing gimmick. Choosing a budget is a very personal decision that only you make. However, it makes 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 right combination for you. So feel free to contact us directly and we will create a beautiful engagement ring for all price ranges.
Step 5: Style and setting
Choosing the design of your engagement ring is probably the most important step after choosing the center stone. The design of the ring should express who your partner is, as she will be wearing the ring almost every day, if not daily. However, we ask that you keep a few pointers in mind when choosing the design:
- Trends will change, but changing an arrangement is not so easy
- Choose the engagement ring the way you would choose your house. You will 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 are happy to help you with this.
- Make sure that the ring style and the chosen color match. Some styles look better in certain colors.
- The style should match your lifestyle. Engagement rings are often worn. The material, height and security of the setting play a major role in this.
- If you are unsure, let us help you with a free individual appointment.
Step 5: Material
Once you have chosen the style and setting, the last step is to choose the material. Each material has its own nuances. The material you choose will determine the color, the security of the diamond and the wear of your ring. When it comes to white, we always recommend platinum as 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.
Free appointment booking
We will be happy to help you find your perfect engagement ring. Book your free on-site consultation or alternatively a virtual consultation. We look forward to it!
