If you’re planning the perfect proposal, you’ll need the perfect engagement ring. But with so many choices on the market, how do you choose between a classic solitaire and a modern split-shank ring?
Thankfully, our team has broken down the steps you need to follow to ensure you find the best engagement ring for your partner.
Know Your Partner’s Style
First things first, you need to know what type of jewellery your partner wears and what they like. There’s no point buying something that doesn’t match them. A good way to do this is by looking at the jewellery your partner already owns. You should be able to recognise pieces they commonly wear, and you might want to disregard any rings that hardly get worn (unless there’s a reason).
Looking at your partner’s existing jewellery should also help you consider what types of metal they wear (silver, gold, platinum) and what type of gemstones they like. Diamonds can often be paired with other gemstones as accents, creating more unique and thoughtful pieces.
Setting a Realistic Budget
Next, you need to set a realistic budget. Traditionally, an engagement ring should cost 3 months’ salary, but this isn’t an expectation anymore. It might be necessary to discuss budgets with your partner beforehand, especially if you have other big ticket purchases happening around the same time.
Think about how much you can afford to spend, and compare that to the prices of rings in your area. If local prices are out of your budget, try visiting other areas. Typically, prices vary between regions, so a similar ring may be more affordable nearby.
Setting a realistic budget also gives you a target to work towards if you can’t quite afford it yet, adding extra motivation to getting your partner the ring they deserve, rather than one you can afford right now.
Selecting the Right Ring Setting and Style
This is where your knowledge of your partner becomes invaluable. There is a range of ring settings, but a few of the most popular include:
- Solitaire
Featuring a single center stone with no additional accents along the band, solitaire engagement rings are the classic and timeless choice.
- Halo
Smaller accent stones surround the larger center diamond, giving the ring an ‘angelic’ sparkle.
- Three Stone
A highly popular choice, this type of setting has two accent stones, one on each side of the center stone. Together, these three stones represent past, present, and future.
The type of setting you decide on will depend entirely on your partner’s preferences, though you might want to consider if there are any settings that you feel are representative of your relationship.
Exploring Diamond Characteristics
Now you know the perfect setting and style for you, it’s time to choose the right type of diamond. Not all diamonds are created equally; in fact, there are many different shapes, sizes, and qualities to choose from. These are broken down into four categories:
- Cut
- Color
- Clarity
- Weight
Of course, the higher the diamond ranks in each of these categories, the more it will cost. It’s important to balance the stone itself against your budget from earlier.
