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How to Shop For Diamond Engagement Rings

How to shop for diamond engagement rings

There is no gift that is greater or more meaningful than an engagement ring. Your significant other will proudly wear this piece of jewelry for the rest of her life, so it’s important to pick the perfect ring. But, where should you begin? Here’s how to shop for diamond engagement rings:

Before You Start Shopping For Diamond Engagement Rings

Don’t start shopping just yet. Take these steps to ensure you are fully prepared to find the perfect diamond engagement ring:

  • Set A Budget
  • Learn the Basics of the Four Cs
  • Dig For Details
  • Research Retailers
Diamond ring on money

Set A Budget

Diamond engagement rings can cost hundreds, thousands, or in some cases, even hundreds of thousands of dollars. You need to know how much you want to spend before you start shopping so you don’t spend more than you can afford.

Many people follow the one month’s salary rule, which means they spend the amount they earn in one month on an engagement ring. However, the truth is there are no rules when it comes to setting a budget for an engagement ring. It’s best to set a budget that works for you instead of following one of these outdated rules.

Learn the Basics of the Four Cs

You need to know how to determine whether a diamond is of high quality or not before you begin shopping. There’s a lot that goes into calculating the value of a diamond, but you don’t need to know every minor detail. Focus on learning the basics of the Four Cs, which are cut, color, clarity, and carat.

The cut of a diamond is not its shape, but rather its proportions, symmetry, measurements, and facet placement. The cut can affect the way light is reflected in the diamond, so a high quality cut can create a beautiful sparkle.

The color of a diamond refers to the presence of yellowish brown hints of color within the stone. The highest quality diamonds are colorless, so the presence of color can lower the value of the diamond.

Man inspecting diamond

The clarity of the diamond is important, too. Each diamond is given a clarity grade based on the presence of internal flaws, known as inclusions, and external flaws, known as blemishes. Flawless diamonds are the most valuable, but these are incredibly rare.

The carat refers to the weight of the diamond, with one carat equals 200 milligrams. All other factors equal, diamonds with larger carat weights are more valuable than diamonds with smaller carat weights.

Each of these factors impacts the appearance and value of a diamond, which is why it’s so important to understand them prior to shopping.

Woman surprised during proposal

Dig For Details

Everyone wants their bride-to-be’s face to light up with excitement when she sees her engagement ring for the first time. To get this reaction, you will need to do a little detective work to learn more about the engagement ring of her dreams.

Pay attention to what type of jewelry she wears. Is it gold or silver? Does she prefer modern or vintage pieces? Does she gravitate towards simple or detailed designs? Answering these questions can help you find an engagement ring that will complement her personal style. Don’t forget to look on Pinterest to see if she has saved pictures of her favorite engagement rings.

You should also try to figure out her ring size ahead of time so the engagement ring does not get stuck on her knuckle during your romantic proposal. Sneak into her jewelry box and find a ring she wears on a regular basis so you can determine its size using an online size chart.

Digging for these details will help you make her dream engagement ring a reality!

Research Retailers

There are countless jewelry retailers out there, but you shouldn’t simply pick the first one you come across. Look for a retailer that offers a warranty, easy return policy, and low price guarantee. If you’re on a tight budget, choose a retailer that offers financing so you won’t need to put a lot of money down upfront. A retailer that offers these benefits has your best interests in mind.

Start Your Search For the Perfect Engagement Ring

At this point, you should have a much better idea of what type of ring you are looking for, how much you want to spend, and where you want to buy it. Now, the real fun of shopping for the perfect ring begins! 

Solitaire diamond engagement ring

Preset Diamond or Loose Diamond

There are two ways to shop for a diamond engagement ring: buying a loose diamond or a preset diamond. The former involves purchasing a loose diamond and then selecting the setting you would like to place it in. This option gives you more creative control over the ring’s design since you can choose from a wide variety of different diamonds and settings. It also allows you to create a one-of-a-kind piece that perfectly reflects your significant other’s style.

Buying a preset diamond involves purchasing a premade diamond and setting. For example, the engagement rings on display in brick-and-mortar jewelry stores are preset diamonds since each diamond is already paired with a setting. This is the definitely the simplest option since you are buying the diamond and setting together. However, if you choose this option, you will be limited to the premade settings offered by the retailer.   

Both options have their benefits, but the choice is ultimately yours. Either way, you will have no trouble finding a beautiful engagement ring for your bride-to-be.

Check the GIA Certification

Don’t purchase a diamond engagement ring without asking to see the diamond’s Gemological Institute of America (GIA) certification report. GIA is an independent organization that evaluates loose diamonds based on their color, cut, clarity, and carat weight. The results of this evaluation are put in a certification report, which the retailer should provide you upon request.

Carefully review the details of this report to assess the value and quality of the diamond. This is the only way you can ensure that the retailer has provided accurate information on the diamond’s color, cut, carat, and clarity.

Pop the Question with the Perfect Diamond Engagement Ring

Buying an engagement ring may seem stressful and overwhelming, but it can be a fun and memorable experience. Following these tips will simplify the process so you can get focus all of your time and energy on planning the rest of your perfect proposal!

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