Are you planning on popping the question soon? Or maybe you're just getting ideas for the future. If engagement is something you're moving towards with that special someone, finding a ring that is just as beautiful and special as they are is a must. And if you’re reading this waiting for your partner to propose, why not share this with them!
With wedding season approaching, it's the perfect time to be looking at choosing that ring that symbolises your love and life long commitment to your partner. Not only is this a beautiful piece of symbolic jewellery but it is also a piece that she'll likely wear every day for the rest of her life.
It can be a daunting task to find that perfect ring, especially since it is a big investment into your future. But if you follow these 10 tips, you'll become an engagement ring expert and have some direction to what you're looking for in that dream engagement ring.
Don't know where to start? Here are some questions and tips to get you going...
1. What does your partner like?
Ultimately, you want this ring to be something your loved one treasures for the rest of her life and something she'll be excited to wear everyday! The best way to ensure this is to know what they like. Knowing her everyday style and personality can be a huge help in this - also looking to what jewellery she already owns and wears is a great pointer if you don't know where to start. If you want to be extra sure you're on the right track with what she likes, ask her for her opinion - she's the best person to ask!
2. What is your budget?
There's no doubt that buying an engagement ring is an investment. The great news is, there are options out there for almost every budget. Determining your budget at the beginning of your engagement ring search helps you know what designs and stones are possible. Whilst there are many options for affordable engagement rings, knowing the price range you're looking at gives you a realistic approach to your options.
3. What gemstone will you choose?
Diamonds are a beautiful traditional gem to use in traditional engagement rings, however they're not the only option. There are so many beautiful gemstones with a range of colours, cuts and sparkle that create stunning alternative engagement rings. Sapphire has similar twinkle as diamonds but come in an array of colours. Opals boast a unique play of colours in each stone, the swirling patters are unmatched by any other gem. There are many gemstones out there and if there's a special gemstone to her (like her birthstone), consider using that in her engagement ring.
Though diamond and sapphire engagement rings are different, they both have rich history, making them both a beautiful engagement ring choice.
4. Which metal will you choose?
Yellow gold, rose gold and white gold are the metals commonly used for engagement rings. They each have their own unique display and can completely change how the final ring looks. Yellow gold looks the most transitional, while white gold is a more affordable alternative to platinum. Rose gold has a beautifully pink hues that brings a touch of warmth to a ring. If you're not sure which metal to choose, look at what you partner already owns. Is she more of a gold, silver or rose gold person?
5. Do you know what ring setting she likes?
When it comes to ring settings, there are many options that create different ring looks. Here are two main settings:
A claw setting has a number of prongs that secure and 'cradle' the gemstone. There are usually 4 or 6 prongs to a claw setting.
A bezel setting holds the gemstone with a continuous band of metal. It has a lip that overlaps the edge of the stone, securely encasing and protecting it.
6. How many stones does she want?
Not only is knowing the type of gemstone, metal and setting helpful, but also how many stones she wants in the ring style. A classic one stone solitaire always gives a clean look. A trilogy setting has one main stone and two smaller accent stones which are usually diamonds. The number of stones you have can be determined by the things like your budget, type of stones and type of setting.
7. Don't let trends dictate you
Just like fashion and other jewellery trends, engagement ring trends come and you. You want to make sure the bespoke engagement ring you choose is one that is timeless so it can be worn for all of eternity. Timeless can mean a different thing for everyone, whilst there are classic designs that are more universally considered 'timeless', a timeless design doesn't have to be boring. If you choose a design based of her personal style and what she already loves, it will be a timeless ring to her.
8. Do you know her ring size?
If you want her to wear the engagement ring, it needs to fit her! There are a few ways you can find her ring size. You can measure the size of a ring she already owns and fits comfortably, measure her ringer size, or simply ask her! If you're unsure, you can go to a jewellery to find her ring size or find your ring size at home.
9. Prioritise quality
There's nothing worse than having a ring that breaks or the gemstone falls out. Since engagement rings are worn almost everyday, they need to be made with the highest quality. This means when searching for that perfect ring, choosing an experienced jeweller with high quality craftsmanship and that uses high quality materials is the way to go. This ensures you walk away with an engagement ring that will withstand the test of time, just like your love for each other.
10. Think about what wedding band the engagement ring could go with
Though wedding bands come later in the piece, you can start thinking about what band will compliment the engagement ring you choose. Having some foresight into considering how the engagement ring will look stacked with a wedding band can be a helpful way to further narrow down your search.
Have a vision you want to bring to life?
If you were able to give an answer to all of those questions, it sounds like you have a pretty good idea of what you're looking for (yay!). Now it's just a matter of finding an engagemnt ring that meets those specifications or finding a jeweller who can work with you on custom making your ring and bringing your vision to life.
We understand how special custom made engagement rings can be, that's why we give you the opportunity to work with and consult our expert jeweller to ensure we're all on the same page working to create your perfect piece.