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So you found the “one”, asked her father for her hand in marriage and you planned the perfect proposal. Now all you need is the perfect engagement ring. This can be a very overwhelming task as there is a lot of pressure on this investment. An engagement ring is a symbol of your love and a token of willingness to spend the rest of your lives together.
For most of us, the investment of and engagement ring is the first time we enter the world of jewellery. Walking into a jewellery store you’ll be met with terms and concepts that you might have never heard of. Princess cut? Halo setting? Solitaire ring? Eternity ring? It can be quite daunting right?
Because we know that this can be so intimidating, we have put together a guide to help you. This is the ultimate guide to buying the unique engagement ring she will love forever.
1. Set up a budget
Usually, the first question asked is “How much should I spend” or “How much are your rings”. This is a difficult question to answer as there are so many factors that contribute to the amount. A very popular notion is to budget at least 2-3 month’s salary.
However, we believe that when it comes to engagement ring budgeting, nothing is set in stone. Every couple is different, and so is their financial situation. Instead of following the popular notion, take a personal approach with us and we will work as closely as possible with your budget.
2. Make it a surprise
Imagine the look on her face when you catch her totally by surprise when proposing with a ring that fits and it’s a design she actually loves. This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment that shows how much you love and care for her, let it be a personal and romantic moment.
Being successful with this trifecta of surprise will be the subject of envious conversation, your future mother-in-law will say your an absolute catch and all the men around you will silently acknowledge your achievement. Making the engagement a surprise will take time and some work, but it will be well worth the investment.
For some ideas on how to ask the big question have a look at our proposal idea blog.
3. Ring size
This is the part were most engagement ring purchases go wrong. You have the perfect ring picked out, but unknowingly the wrong size ring for her finger. You go down on one knee and attempt to slide the ring on her finger and it doesn’t fit and awkwardness sets in…
Luckily most of the time a ring can be adjusted to fit her finger but it’s best to avoid that route… There are various ways to ensure you get the right ring size, you can easily use our Ring Size Chart.
4. Research her style
You want to pick a ring that fits her unique style and preferences. This will ensure she’ll love it forever! Now here is where you harness your inner James Bond. Take note of what jewellery she wears, whether she likes rose, whit or yellow gold, or platinum? Perhaps there is a special gemstone she prefers like her birthstone or a pink morganite, if not a diamond.
What kind of style does she like best? Does she like vintage, classic or modern designs? Does she prefer a big, OTT engagement ring or a more dainty engagement ring? Think about her personality and find something to suit her.
Another way of using your 007 Bond-tricks is to “spy” a little. Almost every woman has a Pinterest board filled with ideas on what she likes and prefers when it comes to jewellery. Tap into the resources available to you, ask her friends and family for suggestions. Or take her to a jewellery store, while you’re checking out watches she is most likely to be looking at the rings. Take mental notes on her reactions. Mission accomplished.
5. Pick the ring band
You have quite a variety of metals to choose from for the engagement ring band. The most popular include yellow gold, rose gold, white gold, platinum and silver. Each metal has advantages and disadvantages which can affect what you choose. The precious metal choice also depends on what she likes. A great tip for you as that silver-looking and rose gold engagement rings are most popular while more traditionally yellow gold is used. If you are unsure about what metal to choose, our experts can give you some advice in-store.
6. Choose the gemstone
We all know that the diamond or gemstone is what really makes the ring special. Therefore you have to choose a gemstone that is right for you, even if it is not a diamond. If you decide to buy a diamond there are a few things you need to know called the 4 C’s – Colour, Clarity, Carat Weight and Cut. Here is a quick intro:
Colour – diamonds come in a variety of colours. These colours are graded on a scale that ranges from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow). The less colour it has the more rare and expensive it is. When it comes to colour it is a personal preference – revisit your James Bond notes on what your lady prefers.
Clarity – is about the imperfections a diamond has. The more clear (fewer imperfections) the diamond the more expensive.
Carat Weight – this refers to the weight of the diamond. The heavier the stone the more expensive.
Cut – this refers to the shape of a diamond and the angles and proportions of the stone. A well-cut diamond reflects light from one facet to another and projects the light through the top of the stone – (this is what makes a diamond so special). Out of all four C’s, this is the most important!
There are various mesmerising diamond cut shapes you can choose from, see below.
7. Select a ring setting
The setting of a ring is the way in which the diamond is set in the ring. Similar to the different diamond cuts, there are various types of ring settings which all presents the main stone differently. This is where her style comes in, see if you can identify from her pinterest board, if she likes a vintage, classic or modern ring. If you are a little confused, that is ok, we can help you in-store to identify what she will like. We have been doing this for over 40 years and we get it spot on!
8. Insurance
Something to keep in mind as an engagement ring is both a financial and sentimental investment. Due to this investment, it is best to insure the ring in case it ever gets lost, stolen or damaged. There are various insurance options and we can assist you in finding the best option for you.
PS: Remember we are always here to help you go through the process to give as much assistance and add as much value to your engagement ring investment. For your benefit, we help you through the various stages from finger sizing, figuring out what she likes, identifying the perfect main stone and the cut for her engagement ring setting.
We understand the importance of this special moment and we also know that all this can be quite overwhelming. That is why we have the expertise and skills to guide you through this important discussion. Whether you are looking for the perfect diamond engagement ring or if you would prefer have a custom designed engagement ring as unique as your love, or simply need advice, we can help.