You have been seeing each other for a while. Now you are at the stage where you feel this is the woman, with whom you want to spend the rest of your life. You have decided the time and place you are going to pop ‘The Question’. You have practiced your lines well.
Now the only dilemma you face is how to buy the ring that will make her scream, the ring that she will wear for the rest of her life, and the ring that will prove to the world that she belongs to you…
Most men get very anxious and confused when it comes to shopping for an engagement ring! So I thought, why not decrease the anxiety of all you men, planning to go down on the knees. This article aims at filling you in, on what you need to know to find the ring that will melt her heart.
1. Is it a good idea to surprise her or not?
You are the best judge of what your lady likes. If both of you have been openly talking about getting engaged, then it’s perfectly fine to go hunting for engagement rings together. Off late many contemporary couples are going ring shopping together once they have discussed the idea of getting engaged. When you are out shopping or you happen to be strolling in an area near a jewelry store, take a walk over to the store windows. Pay attention to what draws her. Are there certain stone shapes (round, pear, oval) that she’s drawn to? Does she like jewelry that is chunky looking, contemporary or sleek and modern? If you are having fun browsing, you might go into a shop and have her try on some rings. Make sure to note her ring size!
However, I am sure there are plenty of guys out there who feel that it’s the most romantic idea to make it a complete surprise. If you belong to this category then, you want to select a ring for her on your own and pop the question on bended knees. For all you romantic fellows it is necessary that you learn about your girlfriend’s jewelry preferences, too—but you will have to do so in a very hush-hush manner. You should start by paying attention to the jewelry that she wears. Does she prefer silver or gold? Vintage or contemporary? Another good way to learn about her tastes in rings by talking to her best friend or sister. Make sure that you make them swear to secrecy before you discuss too much.
Well, now you must be wondering how you would know her ring size. The best way is to ask people closest to her or take a wide guess or steal one of her rings from her jewelry box. While doing all this, please remember if the ring is smaller for her fingers, it can be made to increase. However, if it is bigger than her size than its very difficult to decrease the size.
2. Knowing clarity, color, cut & carat
Now that you know, if you want to surprise her or not, you know her jewelry choice & ring size, it’s time to learn a bit about diamonds and other stones so that you can make sure you buy the best possible.
Clarity refers to any small flaws found on the diamond; many diamonds will have minute scratches or air bubbles. The fewer flaws a diamond has, the greater its value. The color of the diamond will be graded on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow); in general, the more colorless the diamond is, the more valuable it is. Cut means the way the diamond was faceted to allow light to reflect from it. In a well cut diamond, light enters the diamond and reflects straight back to the viewer's eye. Cut is graded Ideal, Premium, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor. Generally, you should go for an Ideal to Very Good Diamond. Carat, refers to the size of the stone. Keep in mind that it truly is most important to know your girlfriend’s taste: some women feel that a large carat ring looks too flashy and would prefer a smaller ring.
That was about diamonds. If you are looking for an Emerald, make sure that the stone is green and does not have any black spots. As in case of Ruby, the darker it is- the better.
3. Choose a good store:
This is one of the most important steps in choosing the ring! Take opinions and don’t just go by publicity. Go to a jeweler you can trust. Going to one known to friends and family is a great idea. It’s important to make sure that the store is accredited. Before you buy, find out what the return policy is so that you can exchange the ring if necessary. You might want to take a friend along for buying the ring. Having a friend whose opinion you can trust with you, can make the whole experience much better.
4. Deciding how much to spend on the Ring:
Are you are feeling slightly rested? You should be, since you know what kind of ring your lady will love and you know more about diamonds. Well, now the biggest question on your mind is how much to spend on the ring. While you want to keep in mind that this is a very significant purchase—this is something that (you hope) she will wear every day for the rest of her life. Nevertheless, you need to be realistic about what you can spend. If your budget is tight go for semi precious stones set in silver. For medium budgets, plain gold or enameled gold rings are recommended. For those with a high budget, go for diamond set in platinum / gold. Most women prefer Diamond rings, hence if your budgets are low, go for a centerpiece with diamonds surrounding in smaller size. The centerpiece can be Ruby, pearl, turquoise etc.
A decent engagement ring today runs in the $3,500--$4,000 range, but there are ways to purchase one for less money.
Before buying a ring, talk to your mother or grandmother- there may be an heirloom ring available in your family. You can have an heirloom stone taken out of its original setting and redone; for example, if your ancestral ring came in a 22K gold setting and your girlfriend likes platinum, a good jeweler can remove the stone and redo it in platinum.
5. Planning with a time window:
Last but not the least; you must plan the buying with time in hand. Do not think that you can walk into a jewelry store and essentially come out with the ring the same day. You may not like what is available and may have to get one made to order. Do your shopping well in advance of your proposal date. Ask for a written contract (In case you are ordering) with the date that the ring will be ready for you to take home.
Ready to take that step? All the best!!!
In years to come, you will remember the time and energy you put into finding the right ring…& how happy it made her when you popped the question.
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