How to purchase a diamond engagement ring for first timers!

We understand… it can be very stressful.

But that’s okay! Breathe and relax… Keep these 5  things in mind, and you’ll find the perfect ring for her to cherish for the rest her life!

1.    Know how much you want to spend.

Walking into a jewelry store, you will be confronted with a dizzy array of choices when it comes to engagement rings. To avoid that, have a price range in mind! Then your eyes and mind can focus on the rings that fit your budget!

2.    Get to know what kind of jewelry she wears.

Is she more classic or modern? Feminine or sophisticated? Does she wear more silver or gold? Do her pieces tend to be more delicate or chunky? Simple or ornate? If you buy something similar to what she already likes, you can’t go wrong!

3.    Know her ring size!

Picture this: You get down on your one knee… open the box, you have her speechless and she says “YES!!!” and you go take the ring out of the box and slip it into her finger &… it doesn’t fit…
As a woman, I rather have the ring be a little bigger on the finger than to have it get stuck midway! Therefore, here’s a tip!

•    If she wears a ring, borrow one she already owns and trace the inner circle on a piece of paper.

•    You can also slide it down to one of your own fingers and draw a line where it stops.

A jeweler can use these measurements to identify her approximate ring size.

IF she doesn’t wear a ring, estimate in the following order:

The average ring size in the US is a 6 (based on the “average” US females being 5’4 tall and weighing 140 lbs.) If she’s more slender, or fine boned, her ring size is probably in the 4 ½ or 5 ½ range.  If she is heavier, larger boned or taller, her ring size is probably in the 6 ½ to 7 ½ range. Like I mentioned, it’s always better to a buy a ring a bit bigger than you think she’ll need, because sizing a ring down is much easier than increasing its size.

4.    Know what diamond shapes suits her.

Maybe your lady has already made it a little easier for you and voiced her opinion on the subject or admired someone else’s engagement ring. Here are some things to keep in mind when considering the shape:

•    She will be wearing this ring 24/7 every day for the rest of her life. It will need to go with everything from her causal clothes to her evening gowns! If you’re unsure about her shape preference, its best to stick to the classics.

•    Shapes with fewer facets, such as emeralds and princess cut (Square) require higher clarity. The fewer the facets, the more visible any inclusions will be!

•    Shapes like round, oval and marquise all work well together with other gems. Pears and heart shapes are more challenging.

•    Tastes in shapes often reflect in other taste that your lady has. Think of her furniture. If she prefers clean modern line furniture, she’ll react well with emerald or square shapes. If her furniture tends to be traditional, round shape is probably the best choice! If she prefers a fancier taste to furniture, she would probably like the more unusual shapes like trilliant or marquise!

5.    What setting makes sense?

There’s an unending variety of patterns and details and metal choices; but there are these four type you are most likely to encounter:
 
•    Solitaire: A single stone. Still the most popular choice in engagement rings. The head secures the diamond and prongs allow the diamond to catch the most light. Four prongs-settings shows more diamond, but six prongs setting is often more secure.
 
•    Sidestone: Diamonds or other gemstones, flank the main stone for additional sparkle and color. Popular sidestone settings include “channel” which protects stones by keeping them flush and “bar-channel” which allows more light to enter the sidestones.
 
•    Three Stone: one diamond for the past, one for the present and one for the future. Usually the center diamond is larger than the two side stones.
 
•    Pave (Pah-vey): The main stone is surrounded by diamonds to add sparkle and the illusion of greater size.
Everything making sense? To make all this easier, the main point is this. Consider her lifestyle and how well a certain setting will fit into it. If she loves outdoors and she’s active, look for lower profile, less ornate, and sturdy choices. This will make it less likely to get knocked or get caught onto things. If she’s more of a glamour girl, look for a statement ring, with a higher profile and more ring detail or unique motif! You know your woman the best. Whatever you choose to surprise her with, I’m sure she’ll fall in love! Good luck!

Credit to GIA.