Engagement Ring Shopping Guide

By Ashley Bailey, Monday, February 14, 2011 5:48 AM

An engagement ring is one of the biggest jewelry purchases you will ever make. It’s the one piece of jewelry she’ll wear every day, and the symbolism and sentimental significance of that one special ring cannot be underestimated. So how can you be sure that your diamond engagement ring is the perfect choice for your proposal?  Whether you are looking for a diamond-encrusted ornate engagement ring or a simple tiffany engagement ring, these ten simple steps will lead you to the engagement ring of her dreams. You’ve probably heard of the four C’s—the four criteria of diamond quality and value. These ten S’s will help make that process of choosing the perfect engagement ring settings and stones that much easier.

3.  Style. If you’re going to try to choose the perfect engagement ring that she’s going to be proud to wear every day, you need to start paying close attention to the choices she makes in her own jewelry. Does she prefer silver jewelry with engraved designs and colored gemstones, or classic gold pieces? Once you have a better idea of her personal jewelry style, it will be easier to find that one special engagement ring setting that will make her jaw drop.
4. Setting. There are hundreds of types of engagement ring settings out there, from simple and classic tiffany-style engagement ring settings to opulent three-stone settings. A little research and a lot of customer service will help you pick the setting style that is perfect for your sweetheart’s taste and lifestyle, and your wallet.

5. Savings. If the diamond and setting you really want seem a bit out of your price range, there’s no reason to remortgage the house. There are many ways to maximize your budget and get the best possible engagement ring for your price range. For example, if you are using a yellow gold setting, you may be able to opt for a diamond with a slightly lower color grade without a visible difference. White gold can be a cost-effective swap for platinum.
6. Support. Jewelry stores, and even diamond engagement ring websites, can be intimidating to a guy who’s never so much bought a pair of cufflinks. See if you can get some moral support to help you browse through the seemingly endless pages of sparkling settings. Find out if your sweetheart’s sister or best friend has any advice, or enlist a friend who’s already married to help you.
7. Surprise. Surprises are fun, and in the movies, it seems like every guy has the perfect engagement ring and surprise proposal planned for months in advance. But in real life, many couples discuss the engagement and even the proposal before it happens, and there’s nothing wrong with letting your soon-to-be bride have a little input into her own ring. You don’t have to leave it entirely up to her, however, and you don’t have to lose the element of surprise completely. Ask her for her opinion about jewelry styles in a casual way, and then surprise her with a creative, clever proposal.

8. Security. The only way you are going to feel secure in your decision is if you shop at a trusted jeweler. Ask for recommendations from friends, and visit some diamond-buying consumer forums for advice from expert consumers. Many experts advise against national chain-store type stores, who often go for mass marketing and national ad campaigns at the expense of real expertise and personal attention. Look for a bricks-and-mortar or online diamond store with consistently good online reviews and knowledgeable, helpful customer service experts. Before you buy, ask about diamond certification and return policies so you can feel secure in your engagement ring buying decision.
9. Six Weeks. That’s how long experts recommend you spend shopping for an engagement ring—at least. Give yourself time to research diamond grading characteristics properly, get a feel for prices and styles, and settle on that one perfect ring. Keep in mind that depending on the style you choose, it may take several weeks for your order to be completed, especially if you choose a custom or semi-custom design.
10. Say it. At the end of the day, when the engagement ring is in your hand, the hardest part of all may be actually getting down on one knee and saying those few simple words, “Will you marry me?” Whether you have an elaborate proposal planned or you’re planning to just pop the question one morning over coffee, the proposal is one of those defining moments of your relationship. But with the perfect diamond engagement ring in your hand, the answer is sure to be yes.