how to buy engagement rings
The decision to spend eternity together deserves a ring worthy of the occasion. Choosing the perfect engagement ring, however, can be a little overwhelming if you don’t know where to begin with the styles, cuts and materials. Fear not—you’re not the only one who will be tackling this classic rite of passage!
This guide will help you navigate the process of buying engagement rings that suit your partner, your style and your budget while providing you tips to keep the process effortless and personal.
Regal Studio, help you find the perfect engagement ring that fits your partner’s style and your budget.
What to Consider Before You Start
Plan Your Budget
One of the first things you need to think about when purchasing an engagement ring is how much you are willing to spend. There’s a popular myth that you have to spend three-months’ salary, but the truth is you should spend what feels within your means and your financial situation. Keep in mind that an engagement ring is a lovely gesture — not a financial hardship.
Pro Tip: Set a budget for yourself before you start shopping so you can eliminate options and avoid being sold on something that’s way out of your price range.
Learn About Your Partner’s Style
It is critical to get the design right. Make note of the kind of jewelry that your partner wears. Do they like gold or do they like silver? Flashy or minimalist? If you have no idea, check out their Pinterest boards, ask their friends or casually mention it in conversation to get a feel for what they’d really like.
Pro Tip: Take a photo of what they already like about their jewelry for inspiration to share with your jeweler.
Understand the 4Cs
If you’re purchasing a diamond engagement ring, learn about the 4Cs of diamond quality—cut, color, clarity, and carat. These are the different grading factors that affect the beauty and value of a diamond.
- Cut: How a diamond’s features reflect light and create its sparkle.
- Color is about not having color—perfect diamonds are colorless, but only slightly tinged stones can be sublime too.
- Clarity indicates (or doesn’t) imperfections in the stone, inside and out.
- Carat denotes the diamond’s size and weight, which affects price.
Pro Tip: Never skimp on the cut, which has the greatest influence on the diamond’s sparkle.
Steps to Buy the Perfect Engagement Ring
1. Choose the Right Shape and Style
The style of the diamond here greatly impacts the overall appearance of the ring. Well-liked shapes are round, princess, oval, cushion and emerald. Each shape has a different personality; pick one to match your partner.
If you plan to match the diamond, look at the ring setting. Settings such as solitaire, halo, or pavé settings each give a unique appearance. A solitaire setting, like the one shown here, retains simplicity and sleekness, while a halo setting adds extra sparkle around the center stone.
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure about the design, a traditional round diamond in a solitaire setting rarely goes out of style and fits most individual tastes.
2. Decide on the Band Material
The band material enhances the diamond’s overall appeal while keeping it strong and secure. Popular materials include platinum, white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold. Platinum is the most durable option but carries a higher price tag, whereas gold offers a wider variety of colors and price points.
Pro Tip: Ensure the band complements your partner’s favorite everyday jewelry.
3. Consider Lab-Grown vs. Natural Diamonds
You’ll also have to decide whether you want a natural or lab-grown diamond. Both types have the same physical properties, but lab-grown are often 20–40% cheaper.
Antique diamonds are another environmentally friendly choice: lab-grown diamonds, ideal for eco-minded couples. Natural diamonds may be more sentimental, however, since they are formed over millions of years.
Pro Tip: Whatever you pick, make sure it’s certified for quality by groups like GIA or IGI.
4. Think About Customization
Personalizing the ring can make it even more meaningful. Many jewelers offer the option to engrave initials, dates, or a short message inside the band. Additionally, you can design a custom ring from scratch by collaborating with a designer.
Pro Tip: Custom rings may take several weeks to craft, so plan accordingly if you’re working toward a specific proposal date.
5. Ask for Certification
A reputable jeweler will always provide a certification document for the diamond or gemstone used in your ring. Certification from a trusted program, like GIA or AGS, verifies the quality of the diamond’s 4Cs and ensures its authenticity.
Pro Tip: Double-check the grading certificate details match the diamond you’re purchasing.
6. Insure the Ring
Rings hold more than monetary value—they represent cherished memories and promises. Insuring your engagement ring protects it from theft, loss, or damage.
Pro Tip: Many homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policies allow you to add jewelry as a rider for comprehensive protection.
Additional Tips for Stress-Free Shopping
- Shop Early: Begin your search at least a few months before your desired proposal date to give yourself ample time for customization and delivery.
- Do Your Research: Find a jeweler with great reviews and clear policies. Feel free to inquire about their sourcing and return policies.
- Take a companion: Armed with a trusted friends or family member for a second opinion, if you feel overwhelmed.
Wrapping Up Your Ring Journey
The engagement ring, the piece of jewelry that’s more than just another piece of jewelry. So do your due diligence, make your investigations, and pay attention to every little detail to match the ring to your partner’s special personality and your shared love story.
In the end, this once-in-a-lifetime purchase, the right ring will check all the right boxes — quality, style, sentiment. If in doubt, remember the most important part is that you thought about and tried to do this process.
Looking for expert help? Check out your local jewelers, or go online to find the ring that expresses “forever” in a way that’s most meaningful to you.
Connect with Regal Studio Jewelry on Instagram for the latest trends and collections!
