Deciding to propose is a huge moment – but after the excitement of the decision settles down, the daunting task of buying the perfect ring rears its head. Never fear – we’ve got ten essential tips to keep in mind while buying engagement rings.
- Know their skin tone
You can figure this out by sneakily pinching a lipstick she looks great in, and taking that and a photo to any department store with a makeup section. Makeup artists are trained to work out their clients’ skin tones so they can pair them with the right colours, and they’ll be able to tell from the photo and her favourite lipstick what hers is. Once you know, you can find out what metal looks good with that tone – people with cool skin tones suit silver or white gold, while rose gold and gold go better with warm skin tones.
- Know their taste in jewelry
It is famously tricky to get a person’s taste in jewelry right, but it’s very important when it comes to a piece they’ll be wearing forever. Remember not to confuse your own taste with theirs – you might be getting married but you’re still different people! If you aren’t sure yourself, then it’s a good idea to get a close friend of your partner’s involved (one that can keep a secret). Hopefully, especially if it’s an old friend, they’ll have a good idea of what style to go for.
- Cut quality
Keep an eye out for the quality of the cut of the diamond you’re buying – excellent quality guarantees a beautiful stone and high sparkle, whereas ‘poor’ quality will make for a dull and lacklustre ring.
- Know your budget
There are two ways to do this. If you have enough disposable income to put a bit extra aside each month, have a look at the types of ring you’re interested in and spend a few months saving. If you can’t be putting any extra aside each month, then decide your budget before you start looking, and stick to it like a barnacle. The perfect ring is important, but if you look in the right places you will be able to find something that you like without bankrupting yourself.
- Insure your ring
It might seem unromantic, but looking at it objectively, an engagement ring is a hugely expensive purchase – and while you hope nothing ever happens to it, the possibility of loss or theft should be protected against. This usually means you need to get a diamond grading report so you can get it insured for the right amount.
- Get a diamond grading report
This will not only reassure you that you’re getting what you pay for but it will also help you when you’re getting insurance.
- Know the 4 Cs
The four Cs are colour, cut, carat and clarity. Knowing these helps you choose a great quality piece of jewelry and also helps you narrow down your search parameters as you decide which C is more important to you.
- Choose the right setting
The setting is what holds the diamond to the ring, and there are lots of different styles. Make sure you have a look at rings with many different kinds of setting, and choose the style which suits the style you’re after the best.
- Keep in mind it’s permanent
It seems obvious, but remember this is something your partner will wear every single day. You might be dazzled by a flashy ring in the shop, or tempted by a lower price in the moment, but remember that an engagement ring needs to be beautiful and elegant in order to work every day.
- Pick a reputable jeweller
There are many jewellers to pick from and you must make sure you pick a good one who is accredited and has good reviews, like abelini jewelry. You don’t want to spend this much money anywhere you don’t have absolute faith in.
Now, go forth into the world of jewelry armed with knowledge – and have fun choosing!
