How to Pick an Engagement Ring Your Partner Will Love

An engagement ring can be one of the biggest purchases you make, not in terms of money, but also in sentimental value. Therefore, when picking a ring for your loved one, you’ll want to make sure it’s perfect.

One major priority people have when planning to propose to their partner is how to find a ring that they’ll love. This is especially the case when wanting to keep the proposal a surprise, unable to ask questions around ring styles without surely giving it away!

For those struggling to know where to begin, fear not – below is a list with the top steps to take in finding the perfect ring for your other half:

 

Step 1. Learn About Their Style

One of the biggest things to consider when choosing your partner’s engagement ring is its style. Everyone has their own unique tastes and preferences, especially when it comes to jewellery. Therefore, it’s important to opt for an engagement ring that fits your loved one’s style best.

The following things can help you to get a better picture of your partner’s style:

• Look at any jewellery they wear normally – this can be a great way to help you distinguish the styles of engagement ring your partner will prefer, including the metal, colours and designs (classic, bold or alternative etc.)

• Be aware of hints – if there are any of your close friends or family members getting engaged, your partner’s opinions of the ring can be a major indicator to the sort of styles they prefer.

• Ask a family member/friend – odds are either members of their family or close friends will have a good idea as to the sort of engagement ring your partner would like. By enlisting the help of someone who knows their style best (after swearing them to secrecy of course) you can better your chances of picking a ring that fits your other half’s style perfectly.

Alternatively, it’s also common to let your partner pick out their own engagement ring. This can be done whilst still keeping the proposal a surprise – many people using a temporary engagement ring to propose with and pick out the actual ring afterwards. This is a fool-proof way of getting your partner a ring they’ll love.

 

Step 2. Set a Budget

The budget you should set aside for the engagement ring is a controversial topic with many conflicting opinions. The more traditional route for setting this budget is making it around three months’ of your salary. However, not everyone follows these guidelines.

The budget for your ring should be dependent on what feels right for you, and most importantly, what you can afford. There are a variety of different stunning rings out there, all offered at a range of different prices. Once you’ve established a budget, a good jeweller should be able to advise you accordingly, and help you find appropriate options within your chosen price range.

 

Step 3. Learn About the Five Cs

If going for the traditional diamond ring, it’s important to know you’re getting a good quality piece. To help determine this, when looking at rings you should always take the 5 Cs into account, these being:

• Clarity – referring to the amount of blemishes the diamond has. Nearly every diamond will have some type of imperfection, however the goal is to get one with as few blemishes as possible.

• Cut – often confused with the shape of the diamond, when looking at the cut you should be looking at the quality of how the stone has been crafted into this shape.

• Colour – lower-quality diamonds will have discolouration to them. When looking at the colour of the diamond, the whiter the stone the more valuable it is.

• Carat – this is used to describe the weight of a stone. A carat consists of 100 points, therefore, a diamond described as half-carat would have 50 points.

• Certificate – when purchasing diamonds, its vital that you get an authentic certificate along with it, as this helps to clarify its quality.

 

 

Step 4. Plan Ahead

Depending on the type of engagement ring you opt for, you may need to set aside some time for the ring to be prepared for the big proposal. For example, those that have gone for a bespoke ring will need to factor in the time it takes to create it, including consultations and the literal making of the piece.

The engagement ring is an important part of the proposal, being a symbol of the love and affection you have towards your partner. By following these steps, you can help to heighten this experience, and find a ring they’ll love and treasure forever.