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How to Choose an Engagement Ring

How to Choose an Engagement Ring
and Get it Right

Questions to Ask

You’ve decided it’s time to ask your significant other to marry you. Congratulations! Now all you need to do is to purchase the ring of her dreams, and ask her for your love! Everything might seem easy breezy until you find yourself lost, navigating one of the most important purchases of your life. Here are some things to consider which will help you along your journey.

What kind of ring style is she considering?
What type of metal?
What shape for the center stone?
What quality? 4 C’s? Cut, Color, Clarity, Carat Weight
What is her finger size?
How much should I spend?
Should I bring her or keep it a surprise?
Where should I buy the ring?

Not to add any pressure, but an engagement ring is the only purchase in your lifetime that she will admire every day, to remind her of how special you and your relationship is. After all, it’s only the most important symbol of your love and relationship which she will cherish for the rest of her life. Honing in on an overall style of ring can be a helpful place to begin.

Engagement Ring Styles

There are many different styles of engagement rings. Let’s keep it simple… really there are five main styles of rings with countless variations. The main styles are:

Halo
Solitaire
Side Stone
Three Stone
Vintage

Halo

Beauty and grace. A single stone surrounded by many smaller stones, framing the shape and beauty of the center stone. The overall effect is that of a larger center stone. The halo holds the center stone securely in place and helps protect it.

Solitaire

Iconic. The most classic. A single stone set above the band on the metal of your choice with no accents. The focus is center stage on the diamond or gemstone you select. Sometimes referred to as a Tiffany solitaire, classic solitaire, four or six prong solitaire, or single stone solitaire.

Side Stone

Elegant Accents. Small diamonds are set into the metal enhancing the center stone. Smaller diamonds add beauty and sparkle to the ring. Typically, the diamond side stones are pave’ set or micro pave’ set, shared prong set, or channel set on the band.

Three Stone

Timeless and elegant. The center stone accented by one stone on each of its sides. The center stone is typically larger than the two side stones. Either all three are the same shape or the two sides can be different shapes from the center. A Three Stone Ring is symbolic of the past, present, and future.

Vintage

Delicate and feminine. A vintage ring can be made in variations of the other styles but accompanied with milgrain beading, decorative engraving, or beautiful scroll-work known as filigree. Vintage designs are often referred to as antique, art deco, or estate jewelry.

Considering a Custom Designed Engagement Ring

Create your own custom one of a kind engagement ring that will be a beautiful representation of the love you are celebrating. Select a jewelry store with top quality craftsmen and an experienced team skilled at design, fabrication and hand setting. Any ring can be made exactly to your very own specifications.

CUSTOMIZE WITH
NATHAN ALAN JEWELERS

Engagement Ring Metals

Now that you have a style, what type of metal is best for her?

Gold is available in three colors, white, yellow, and rose. 18 karat gold is the most common and exclusively used by luxury jewelers. Gold is shiny, durable, and can withstand the test of time.
Platinum is a pure white metal, 30 times more rare than gold and twice as dense as gold. The feel of platinum and its natural white color is generally what attracts consumers to buy it. It also can withstand the test of time.

You cannot choose the wrong metal, both are excellent choices.

Choosing the Diamond, the 4 C's

Today the 4C’s of diamond quality is the universal procedure for determining the quality of any diamond.

Cut

100% of the diamonds brilliance, fire and sparkle are a direct reflection of the diamonds overall cut quality, proportions, ratio, and symmetry.

Color

A diamond’s color is graded D-Z. D, E, & F are the highest grades and are considered colorless. G, H, I, & J are in the near colorless range. K, L, & M are faint yellow. N-R very light yellow and S-Z light yellow.

Clarity

Nearly every diamond has very physical characteristics known as inclusions or imperfections. Diamonds are rated from Internally Flawless to Imperfect. The fewer inclusions a diamond has, the rarer the diamond is.

Carat Weight

Simply stated carat weight is how much a diamond weighs on a scale.

There are endless combinations of all 4 C’s available. The overall combinations for your diamond will determine the Cost which is the 5th and final C. Find a jeweler with a deep understanding of how these 4 C’s will affect your diamond’s overall value, appearance, and respect your overall budget. A great jeweler will provide you with the best diamond options factoring in what is most important to you and your future fiance’.

Diamond Shapes

The most popular shapes of diamonds include:

Oval
Cushion
Emerald
Pear
Radiant
Asscher
Marquise
Heart

Fitting a Ring Size to a Finger

Each diamond shape is very unique. The better the cut, the better the brilliance and sparkle of each individual diamond. Shape is entirely the preference of the individual. It is always ideal to have your significant other’s finger sized by the jeweler you are going to buy the engagement ring from. There are a few tricks when it comes to finding out your significant other’s ring size. Find a ring that you know fits and bring it with you to your jeweler. If you are worried about this, perhaps you can trace a ring inside and out on a piece of paper to bring with you. Also, you may be able to get the ring size from a friend or relative.

How Much Should You Spend on an Engagement Ring?

Forget everything you have heard about budget. There is no standard. Each individual should evaluate his or her maximum amount to spend on an engagement ring. There are no fixed rules. Approach price with an open mind and learn how quality can affect price. Once you have met the jeweler who is honest, knowledgeable and able to sell you any diamond, share with them your max budget and allow them to help you make the best selection for your fiancé. Remember, the best diamond is the diamond that you choose, that fits both the price you are willing to pay and matches the quality and style your fiancé deeply desires.

Do You Bring Your Loved One or Not?

Again, this is completely subjective. Just remember bringing your loved one along on the search will really help you to focus on style. You can still have the element of surprise by proposing at a completely random or planned time. Let your loved one show you what she likes, because sometimes what they see in pictures versus what they actually try on may change their opinion. A little pre-shopping will just solidify the style… Again, there are no rules here. A complete surprise can be amazing too!

The Best Place to Buy an Engagement Ring

A reputable jeweler should demonstrate vast experience, knowledge, selection and exceptional craftsmanship. Work with a jeweler who can provide you with all of the appropriate certifications and appraisals, for the diamonds or gemstones you choose. Expect a quality jeweler to guide you and help you make the best selection for you and your fiancé.

Now all you have to do is ask,

"Will You Marry Me?"

Other Diamond Education Resources

Browse through our other dedicated resources created by our experts to help answer any of your questions you may have. Feel free to give us a call at (714) 545-8337 and one of our Nathan Alan experts will be happy to help!

Common FAQs for How to Choose an Engagement Ring

💍 How Much Should You Spend on an Engagement Ring?

💍 Do You Bring Your Loved One or Not?

Again, this is completely subjective. Just remember bringing your loved one along on the search will really help you to focus on style. You can still have the element of surprise by proposing at a completely random or planned time. Let your loved one show you what she likes, because sometimes what they see in pictures versus what they actually try on may change their opinion. A little pre-shopping will just solidify the style... Again, there are no rules here. A complete surprise can be amazing too!

💍 Where Is The Best Place to Buy an Engagement Ring?