Buying an engagement ring is one of the most significant purchases you will ever make. It is not just about choosing a beautiful piece of jewellery—it’s about selecting a symbol of your love and commitment that will last a lifetime. With so many options available, from gemstones to settings and metals, the process can feel overwhelming. But do not worry—we have got you covered! In this guide, we will walk you through the top 10 questions you might have before you make your decision. This well help you to feel confident and prepared to find the perfect ring for you or your special someone.
Firstly, before we talk about the first question that is commonly asked by people buying an engagement ring, we wanted to say congratulations. You are at a significant moment in your life.
Which Style Suits Me?
The most important consideration when choosing an engagement ring is how it suits your finger. The best way to get an idea of what you like is to visit a jeweller and try some different rings on. Seeing a particular ring on your finger can help you narrow down what style you like and if it looks good on you. A general rule is that if you have a longer finger a longer stone like an emerald cut or a marquise cut stone might look good on you. Equally, if you have a shorter finger, then a round brilliant or princess cut ring might suit you better. The most important thing is to choose something that you love, and a good jeweller will be able to assist in tailoring the style to suit you.
What Stone Should I Use?
Another important consideration, what stone should I choose? There are lots of different gemstones to choose from including diamonds, sapphires, moissanites and rubies. One important fact to consider is the hardness of the stone. Diamonds are the most common and are a very hard gemstone and so are suitable for everyday wear. Equally, a sapphire or a ruby are very hard stones as well and could be worn every day. Softer stones such as an emerald can still be chosen but it’s important to discuss with your jeweller a setting that will protect the stone so that it can be worn every day. However, this rule isn’t set in stone, and it’s more important to choose a budget that aligns with your individual circumstances and financial goals. Remember that an engagement ring is a symbol of your love and commitment, and the cost should not dictate the value of your partnership.
What Cut and Shape Should I Choose?
The next consideration is what cut and shape gemstone should I choose? The cut is the shape of the stone. Common shapes include round brilliant, princess, emerald, marquise, oval, pear and cushion. However there other more unusual cuts that your jeweller may also be able to source. A well-cut diamond will give a great dispersion of light from the light coming into it and refracting back out. Conversely, a more poorly cut stone will lose some of that light.
What Metal Should I Choose?
Another consideration is what setting metal to choose for your engagement ring. Engagement rings are commonly sold in platinum, white gold, yellow gold and rose gold. Platinum is often chosen because it is a very hard metal. It offers the wearer longevity, and it will keep a strong white colour. If you are thinking about white gold you need to consider the fact that you will need to take the ring your jeweller for rhodium plating from time to time to keep its sparkle and shine. The karat weight of the gold is also important. Engagement rings are commonly in 18-karat gold. A general recommendation is that any gold higher than that in karat is going to be too soft for a ring that’s worn every day. A silver setting is not recommended as it is a very soft metal that will be easily damaged and is not suitable for everyday wear.
How Should My Stone Be Set?
Your next consideration is going to be how you would like your gemstone to be set. One of the most common settings for engagement rings is a claw setting. This allows light to come in through the stone and reflect up through it giving a lot of sparkle. Another common setting type is a rub-over setting which is often also referred to as a bezel setting. This is where the metal will be all the way around the outside of the stone which really protects it. This may have an impact on some of the light that returns through it, but it does make a beautiful-looking ring as well. Some people also choose to add a diamond halo around their central stone. This can make the stone appear bigger, add sparkle and provide some protection. Everyone has their own personal preference, but it is important to try and choose a setting that will protect the gemstone and keep it secure to prevent it from falling out. Your jeweller will be able to suggest setting types that are best for your unique gemstone.
Will The Engagement Ring Fit The Wedding Ring?
If you’re planning to get a wedding ring you should also consider making sure that you can stack another ring beside your engagement ring. If the two rings do not match, then the settings can rub together and cause damage or even worse your central gemstone could eventually fall out. Your jeweller will be able to show you rings that match and make suggestions about how the setting of your engagement ring might be able to be modified to accommodate for a wedding band. Even if your wedding is some time away considering this when buying your engagement ring can save you some hassle in the future. Jewellers also generally recommend sticking with the same metal type for both your engagement ring and wedding band to prevent wear and to make sure the colour matches.
Does My Stone Need To Be Certified?
Gemstones are commonly taken to a laboratory for assessment before sale where they are certified to confirm that they are authentic. A unique identifying report number is inscribed on the stone to match the certificate. The certificate will confirm things like whether the diamond is natural or lab-grown, what its colour, clarity, cut, and carat weight are along with the dimensions and other important information. All these factors will influence the price of the diamond. Hence a certified diamond is more expensive than a diamond which has not been certified. If you’re considering a larger size stone, it can be beneficial to explore both certified and non-certified options from a jeweller that you trust.
How Much Should I Spend on An Engagement Ring?
Another common consideration you might have is how much you should spend on an engagement ring. For decades there has been debate about whether it should be one month’s salary, two months’ salary or three months’ salary. However, it really is a personal choice and its completely up to you. There are so many factors to consider when choosing a diamond that will influence its price—the cut, the colour, the clarity, the carat weight. Different types of gemstones also vary in price. The best thing to do is decide on your budget and then discuss with your jeweller. They will be able to explain the different options available to you within your budget. Whatever your budget you’ll still be able to get a beautiful ring to keep as a sentimental memory of your engagement.
How Long Will It Take To Be Made?
Time scales are a thing to consider when shopping for your engagement ring. Different jewellers will take different amount of time to create your item so it’s an important thing to consider when choosing an engagement ring. If you’re wanting to propose very soon, then it might be best to choose a stock item. This means that the ring is already ready and can generally easily be resized if necessary. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a bespoke piece to be designed, and custom made by your jeweller then it could take several weeks or months to be completed. If this is the case, you will need to start the process of having the ring made well in advance of when you are wanting to propose.
What Happens If My Enagagement Ring Is Damaged, Lost or Stolen?
Your final consideration should be how you will protect your ring against accidental damage, loss and theft. You want your engagement ring to be protected if something is to happen to it. Specialised jewellery insurance can give you the peace of mind that your ring is protected and enable you to wear it with confidence. Centrestone Jewellery Insurance covers you comprehensively so that you can wear your ring wherever you go, even when travelling overseas. In the event of a total loss, Centrestone covers you for a like for like replacement of the insured item with a guarantee to return to your jeweller so that you know you will get the same quality of item back. You can’t predict the future or any unforeseen events that could cause loss or damage to your jewellery, but with Centrestone, you can secure peace of mind that in the event of a claim, you’re covered.
