You’re ready to ask the person you love to spend the rest of your lives together. This is a momentous occasion, and also a stressful one. You want to make sure the time is perfect and that you can have your dream wedding. The engagement ring is the symbol that represents all of that, and when you’re buying diamonds to signify your love to another person, you need to have everything in place. So what questions should you be asking before buying an engagement ring?
How Much Should You Spend?
Outdated advice suggests the person proposing needs to spend two months salary on buying an engagement ring. This figure is rooted in bygone traditions that speak of dowries and ownership. The modern marriage isn’t about any of that.
There is no set budget for buying an engagement ring. Buy inexpensive or expensive, whatever fits your budget and style. And, if you want to stretch a tight budget, there are plenty of places to find engagement rings at a better price than your typical jewelry store.
Where Do You Get a Ring?
Television advertising, which is ramped up around holidays like Christmas or Valentine’s Day, suggest the only place buying an engagement ring is at a large chain jewelry store. That isn’t your only option. Some people find the right ring in their own family by giving an heirloom set. Others will scour antique stores for that unique option.
But there’s another choice as well. Online ring shopping is a great way to get a deal on a diamond. And buying online is safe and secure. For many shoppers, it’ll be the perfect way to get the ring you want at prices you can afford.
How is Diamond Quality Judged?
Regardless of where you buy your diamond, you want to make sure it’s top quality. There are industry standards for judging diamonds that include some pretty specific terms and codes. Here are a few you should know.
- Cut: Some words to describe the cut of a diamond include “very good” or “ideal.” Choose the best cut you can afford.
- Color: You’re looking for the letters G, H, or I. G is considered the best color for a traditional diamond.
- Clarity: This refers to the imperfections in the diamond. There is a scale, but the best value is considered S11 or S12.
- Carat: The one aspect most people know is size, which is called carat. If you want a good value, buy just under. Rather than 1 carat, buy a 0.9-carat ring.
The size, style, and design of the ring you choose will be all about your personal taste and that of your beloved, but make sure you’re getting the best possible quality even if you do shop online.
What Does Your Partner Want?
Not everyone will want a fancy engagement ring that stands out like the crown jewels. Always buy a ring with your partner in mind. Do they want something simple and understated? A small solitaire on a simple setting can make a great impact.
Or maybe they like something that harkens back to the golden age. Art Deco-inspired designs are becoming trendy again. You can buy diamonds online and have a custom set created by a local jewelry artist. The options are limitless.
How soon do you need It?
The final consideration when thinking about buying a ring either online or locally is when you want to pop the question. How soon do you need the ring? If you’re buying from a reliable online retailer, you want to build in some additional time for the process.
Your online source will be helpful throughout the process, so be sure to ask questions. Talk to them about when you need the completed ring in hand so they can work with you to ensure your proposal goes off without a hitch.
Love is in the air! Are you planning to propose to your beloved? With this simple guide to help you through the process, your ring buying experience should be as flawless as the diamond you buy.
