When you are ready to propose to your significant other, you will need to purchase an engagement ring. The most important decision is deciding what your engagement ring should look like. This can be a daunting task, as there are so many different options available. How do you know which ring is right for them? What should you consider when making your decision?
There are many factors to consider when making this decision, from your budget to your partner’s taste. In this ultimate guide to choosing your perfect engagement ring, we will outline the most important things to keep in mind to find the perfect ring for your special someone.
If you’re in a rush, we recommend visiting James Allen as they have a design studio for you to build out your perfect engagement ring within your budget. We suggest you check out our in-depth James Allen review here first.
Table of Contents
What To Look For In An Engagement Ring
Budget
First, we always recommend considering your budget. It’s important to determine how much you can afford to spend on the ring before starting your search. This will narrow down your options and prevent any financial stress in the future.
Jump ahead to section How Much Should You Spend On An Engagement Ring of this article.
Style
Choosing the perfect ring styles can be broken down into two main categories:
Settings
Diamond
Read also: Engagement Ring vs Wedding Ring: Do You Need Both?
Settings
The settings of a diamond engagement ring helps with the overall surrounding look of the ring.
They come in various different metal options including white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, and platinum. From the gold options, you’ll more than likely be choosing between 14K and 18K gold.
Read also: Promise Ring vs Engagement Ring: The Key Differences
The ring setting can also have various different designs including solitaire, pavé, halo, vintage, side-stone, and three-stone.
Diamond
When choosing a center diamond piece, we can further narrow our search down to the 4 C’s of diamonds:
Carat
Cut
Clarity
Color
Think about what engagement ring style or type of diamonds your partner may prefer. In fact, it doesn’t need to be a diamond. Perhaps they may be drawn to colored gemstones like sapphire or emerald.
You can check out our in-depth guide to the 4 C’s of diamonds here.
Read also: How Many Carats Should Your Diamond Engagement Ring Be?
How To Pick The Right Ring For Your Partner
Now that we understand what to look for in your engagement ring, we can move on to how to pick the right ring for your partner that symbolizes your love and commitment.
But with so many options out there, how do you pick the right one for your partner? Here are a few tips…
Firstly, consider their personal style. Take note of the accessories they usually wear and the types of jewelry they gravitate towards. This is typically the best indicator as to whether or not they will like the engagement ring.
For instance, if your partner doesn’t normally wear jewelry, it’s probably best to avoid a really flashy diamond engagement ring. And if you’re unsure about something, consider asking their friends and family. When it comes to shopping for rings, it’s best not to assume anything.
Secondly, think about the significance of certain gemstones or metals. Does your partner have a favorite color or birthstone? Or do they have allergies to certain metals? Perhaps they don’t prefer having sharp edges on their ring in the case of a square or rectangle diamond cut. Preferences and significance really depends on a person-to-person basis and involves having a strong connection with your partner to know what will suit them best.
And finally, don’t forget about practicality. Will a dainty ring work for their lifestyle, or do they need something more durable? If your partner works an office job at a desk, ring styles are more plentiful as compared to a profession that uses their hands more such a health professional or a blue collar career that may require a more durable style.
But above all, the most important factor in choosing a ring is making sure it reflects your love and commitment to your partner. Engagement rings are an extension of you and your partner and carry heavy sentimental value, so it’s wise to first develop a strong connection to understand your partner’s needs and wants in order to find the perfect ring style for them.
The Different Styles Of Engagement Rings
You may find yourself down a rabbit hole of research when trying to discover the different styles of engagement rings.
In summary, there are 8 main engagement ring styles that you would be looking at:
Solitaire
Pavé
Channel
Side-stone
Three stone
Tension
Halo
Vintage
And in some cases depending on the store, you’ll find speciality designer styles which are specific to the vendor.
When it comes to your engagement ring purchase, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Some couples prefer the classic solitaire diamond, while others opt for a more unique and modern design. From white gold vintage-inspired halo settings to art deco-influenced geometric shapes, the options are truly endless.
Are you a traditionalist who only wants the classic solitaire? Or maybe you’re more of a trendsetter, looking for a three-stone or metal halo design. Perhaps you’re even an unconventional rebel, drawn to alternative styles like tension set or pavé rings.
After all, it’ll be a symbol of your forever commitment – might as well make it a stunning one. And remember, at the end of the day it’s not about the size or shape of the diamond – it’s about the love and commitment behind it. So go ahead and choose a ring that reflects your personal style and shows off your one-of-a-kind love.
How Much You Should Spend On An Engagement Ring
The age-old guide to knowing how much you should spend on an engagement ring was the “Two Months’ Salary” rule. This rule stated that your engagement ring should cost no less than double your monthly salary (ie. your salary for two months).
In our opinion, this is an extremely outdated rule that doesn’t hold true anymore. Many have increased obligations and financial responsibilities like car payments and student loans which now cost more than ever.
As always, we recommend creating a budget using a website or app like YNAB to calculate your disposable income. Once you’ve created a budget, you’ll have a clear picture of your financial status to make a well-informed decision.
Every person’s financial status is different so it’s hard to give a range as to how much you should spend on an engagement ring. But the main issue is when your budget is less than $2500. At this price point, you have to be more strategic with how you buy your engagement rings. If this is you, we have a guide to help you find the best engagement rings under $2500.
However, no matter how big or small your budget is, we can help you get the most bang for your buck when shopping for an engagement ring by recommending where to shop, and which feature to spend more or less money on for your engagement ring.
You can check out our full guide on How Much Should You Spend On An Engagement Ring here.
Which Type Of Diamond Is Best For An Engagement Ring
As mentioned before, choosing which diamond is best for your engagement ring can be decided by taking a look at the 4 C’s of diamonds:
Carat
Cut
Clarity
Color
Some would say that a colorless diamond is the way to go, while others might argue for a fancy colored diamond. Some would prefer to spend more of their budget on the clarity of the diamond as opposed to the cut.
Fortunately, we have a guide to help you decide how to wisely spend your budget when shopping for diamonds.
Ultimately, deciding which engagement rings are perfect for you are up to personal preference and budget.
However, one thing is for sure – when looking for engagement rings, make sure the diamond has good clarity and cut to ensure sparkle and brilliance. Remember, it’s the thought that counts, so as long as the ring is given with love and intention, any diamond will do.
Just don’t go for a cubic zirconia – that’s just tacky.
Tips For Taking Care Of Your Engagement Ring
Beyond the diamond itself, there are a few things to keep in mind when taking care of your engagement rings.
First, make sure to take it off during rough activities or while using harsh chemicals. It’s easy for the setting or prongs to get caught on something or for the diamond to chip.
Also, consider getting your engagement rings professionally cleaned every few months to keep it sparkling. And lastly, get your ring insured – better safe than sorry in case of loss or damage.
Overall, as long as you show some time, love, and care to your rock, it will shine as brightly as the love it represents.
You can check out our guide on 4 Easy Ways To Clean Your Engagement Ring At Home Professionally.
Final Thoughts
Planning a proposal and wedding are daunting tasks. Having to find the perfect engagement ring shouldn’t add on to your frustration and stress.
To avoid becoming too overwhelmed, when it comes to finding your perfect engagement ring, there are only a few factors to consider.
First off, create a budget and determine your financial obligations. Once this is figured out, you can calculate how much disposable income you have to create a budget for your engagement ring. Having an effective budget will narrow down your search tremendously.
Secondly, the style of your engagement ring will come down to two main things: the setting and the diamond. The setting is further broken down into the type of material you use (14k/18k yellow/white/rose gold, or platinum) and the diamond aspect is broken down into the 4 C’s (carat, cut, clarity, and color).
Read also: 14K vs 18K Gold: Which One Is Better?
Next, consider the lifestyle and preferences of your partner. You want to keep in mind some things like their career, how they currently dress and style themselves, their favorite color(s), and if they’re allergic to any metals.
Once you’ve done that, then we recommend taking a look at the various ring styles out there. There are only 8 main styles for most people to choose from: Solitaire, pavé, channel, side-stone, three-stone, tension, halo, and vintage.
And above all, remember that engagement rings are a symbol of your commitment and everlasting love to your partner… So don’t get them a cubic zirconia!
Happy shopping!
Join thousands of happy couples when you sign up for our newsletter. Get wedding tips, tricks, and hacks straight to your inbox.
