How to Choose the Perfect Engagement Ring

This post was contributed to Make a Date of It by Juli Church at Learning Jewelry and was originally published in July 2022. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of Make a Date of It or its affiliates.

Shopping for an engagement ring is both an exciting and intimidating experience. There are so many choices that deciding what to buy can be confusing and difficult. The choices are plenty, but that does not mean that they are all the same. More so, this should not be an excuse to buy just any ring. You want to make sure to buy something special, without the ring causing a financial strain.

Do you need help choosing an engagement ring? Read on and we’ll talk about some of the most important things to consider.

(Photo) Diamond Engagement Ring in Velvet Ring Box Next to Eucalyptus Leaves

Tips and Tricks for Choosing an Engagement Ring

Whether you are looking for something simple and classic or something elaborate and unique, you will be overwhelmed with the plethora of options available when buying an engagement ring. It is not just an ordinary gift. It is a promise of commitment to spending a lifetime with your partner.

As you search for the perfect engagement ring, here are some things to keep in mind:

Start With a Trusted Jeweler

Perhaps the most important thing to do is to pick a reputable jeweler. Find someone who has built a solid track record in the market. They might charge higher than other unknown sellers, but the additional cost is worth it if this means exceptional quality. With engagement ring sales soaring, many sellers are quick to take advantage. New players are entering the market, including those offering inferior products. Do not give in to their false promises. Do your research. Ask around. Read reviews. Learn from the real-life experiences of other people.

Consider Lab-Grown Diamonds

Type of stone is one of the most important things to consider when choosing an engagement ring. Mined or natural diamonds are the most popular choice. However, with the price of diamonds, many people are looking for alternatives. With that in mind, you might want to opt for a lab-grown diamond instead. The biggest benefit of lab-grown diamond is its price. It is affordable, but does not compromise quality. Depending on the specific diamond, it can have exceptional properties, which will make it difficult to set apart from a mined diamond. Plus, there are fewer ethical concerns to consider. You can even order lab-grown diamonds in a variety of colors, giving your ring added character.

Experiment With Other Stones, Colors, and Shapes

A lot of people play it safe when buying an engagement ring. They opt for diamonds because such is the norm. Diamonds are a good choice of stone because they are traditional, beautiful, and durable. But there are tons of other options for stunning gemstones that will make an engagement ring stand out. Sapphires, too, make great choices for an engagement ring because of their rich array of color choices and their hardness. Also consider emerald, ruby, amethyst, topaz, or pearl. Choosing your partner’s birthstone can make the ring choice even more personal.

Keep in mind, however, that moonstone, opal, aquamarine, and quartz may look great on a ring, but they are rated low on the Mohs scale (the measurement of hardness), so you might want to avoid them. People tend to wear their engagement rings all the time, so they have to endure the wear and tear of everyday life.

Stones come in a variety of shapes, including (but not limited to) square, round, emerald, oval, and marquise. Changing the shape of the stone changes the entire look of the ring.

Know Your Stone’s Story

Regardless of the stone that you choose, it is crucial that you know your stone’s backstory. This will make the stone more special. Also, knowing its origins can give you peace of mind. You can be assured that it is from a company with ethical trade practices and that you are not supporting slavery or conflict.

(Photo) Engagement Ring with Green Stone

Learn About the Four Cs

If you prefer to have a diamond engagement ring, you must be familiar with “The Four Cs”. This will help you understand the value of the diamond and limit your options, picking one that is within your budget and preference.

Carat

This is usually the first thing that people look at. It refers to the weight of the diamond. One carat is divided into 100 points. For instance, if it is .25 carats, jewelers may refer to it as a 25-pointer. All things equal, the price increases as the carat increases. Larger diamonds are rarer, and therefore more valuable. This term should not be confused with the word “karat,” which refers to the purity of gold—we’ll cover that later.

Cut

As it implies, it refers to how the stone is cut, which has an impact on its overall appearance. A well-cut stone will direct more light to the diamond, making it shine better. If it is too deep or too shallow, the light will escape. The diamond cut scale ranges from Excellent to Poor.

Color

Colorless is the rarest diamond color, which also makes it the most expensive. Meanwhile, yellow is on the other end of the color spectrum, which also makes it the cheapest. Diamonds will be graded based on their color. The color scale ranges from D to Z. D, E, and F are “colorless” and the most expensive. G, H, I, and J are “near colorless”. Meanwhile, K, L, and M are “faint yellow” and N, O, P, Q, and R are “very light yellow.” Lastly, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z are “light yellow.”

Clarity

Clarity has a direct relationship with the rarity and cost of the diamond that you are buying. There is a diamond grading scale that determines clarity, or how free the diamond is of imperfections. The highest rating is FL, which stands for “flawless”. It is followed by IF or “internally flawless”. The next is VVS1/VVS2, which stands for “very, very slightly included”. Next is VS1/VS2 or “very slightly included” followed by SI1/SI2 or “slightly included”. The last is I1, I2, and I3 or “imperfect”.

When dealing with diamonds, it’s important to note that the value is affected by all of the Four Cs. And while most people would look at carat first and foremost, in many cases, the cut is most important as it could determine just how much the diamond will sparkle. If you’re confused about the Four Cs and how they work, find out more at LearningJewelry.com.

Pick the Right Metal

Do not just focus on the stone of the ring. The metal, the material of the band, is equally important. If the budget is not an issue, platinum is a great choice. It is corrosion-resistant and durable. In its pure state, it is soft, so it is combined with other materials, such as cobalt and iridium. Another popular choice is gold, which comes in a variety of colors: yellow gold, white gold or rose gold. Alternatively, those who are on a budget might also want to consider sterling silver, though it will have to be polished regularly.

If you choose gold, you will have to consider the karat. Karat (not to be confused with “carat,” above) measures the amount of gold present in an alloy out of 24 parts. So, when it states that the ring is 18kt, it means that it is 18/24 parts gold or 75% gold. Like in platinum, gold is mixed with other alloys for durability and color. If possible choose 14kt as the minimum in an engagement ring. The lower the karat number, the lower the gold content. Needless to say, the higher the karat, the higher the value of your ring.

Know Your Settings

The setting in an engagement ring refers to how the stone is held in place. It highlights the beauty of the ring’s centerpiece while also protecting against damage. One of the most common settings is a prong. It has four to six metal supports, or prongs, to hold the stone in place. The more prongs, the less likely the stone will fall out. Another option is a bezel. A bezel is a thin metal strip where the stone is hammered, which is especially perfect if you want a ring with a vintage appeal. Halo is also a choice worth considering. There are tiny stones encircling the main stone, adding brilliance and elegance to the engagement ring.

(Photo) Engagment ring in red box with leaves

Ready to pop the question? Before asking your partner to marry you, spend time picking the perfect engagement ring to symbolize your commitment. From the stone to the metal, the things mentioned above can make the ring unique, just like your loved one.

Juli Church is a certified diamontologist. She has been working with diamonds and jewelry for over six years, including in retail shops like Kay and Zales, learning all the insider secrets. Juli is a straight shooter and will tell you what you need to know to make the best jewelry purchase. She writes for Learning Jewelry, a site dedicated to educating everyday people about jewelry.

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