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If you already have a feeling you want to get down on your knee and ask for her hand – congratulations! – You’re one of the lucky people who’ve found the one! Here comes the next step of this fun and challenging journey, finding her a wonderful engagement ring. You might feel a little lost but don’t worry! We have gathered you all the necessary information you need to know to make this monumental decision.
Here are 10 things to consider before buying a handmade engagement ring.
- Know your budget.
The first thing you have to know before you start finding the perfect design for your engagement ring is to know how much you are willing to spend on it. A good amount to spend is a number that does not stress you out too much, this means you should start by doing some research, whether by visiting a store or finding rings online.
Although getting to touch a ring and hold it in your hand before purchasing is a much better way to decide on such a valuable piece, trust your instincts most. While it is good to listen to what experts or other people have to say, it’s you that will have to invest for life in an expensive item. Therefore, it should be the ring that makes your partner and you happy and also one that does not mean you are drowning in credit card debt before your married life even starts.
- Find out how much your partner wants to be involved.
You know your partner more than anyone so you might be able to guess whether or not she wants to be involved in the process. It will be quite a confusing task for you to make the decision on an engagement ring by yourself. Even though you might lose the romantic-surprise feeling, there are pros and cons about taking your partner along and it is becoming more and more common for lovers to pick out the ring together. Some women enjoy spending time designing their engagement ring with her groom-to-be. Another idea to keep the surprise thing going is to propose to her with an heirloom ring and then get it redesigned together later.
- Your partner’s style and her favourites
In the end, the person who is going to wear the ring forever is your significant other, so you have to be certain that this particular ring matches her style. Believe it or not, there are a lot of choices available for you to choose from and some degree of research is always going to be required to make sure you don’t get a dud.
If you are not sure of her favourite shape or colour, you have to start observing the little details. Although, one the best possible things you can do is to get help from her best friend or her mum. They will be your best ring assistants as they’ll not only have the feminine instinct, but will no doubt have discussed rings with them already; but make sure they can keep a secret! Check out various engagement ring trends online for more ideas.
- Her ring size
If you’re going to surprise her, one of the most important things to know before purchasing an engagement ring is to know your partner’s ring size. Try to sneak one of her rings out of the house to show to your jeweller; or if you’re looking to be even sneakier, you can take one of her rings and trace around the band on paper then take some photos of it to show your jeweller in case you missed noting down some details about the ring. This way the jeweller can get the measurement from his/her sizing tool.
If you are not quite sure about her exact ring size, order a slightly bigger size just in case, because resizing the ring is easier than extending it but it is still quite an annoying thing to do and some types of ring cannot be sized down, so the best bet is to make sure you get it right in the first place.
- Know the 4Cs.
Before choosing any diamond for your engagement ring, what you need to know is the standard 4Cs, which consisted of colour, clarity, carat weight and cut. They are diamond-defining factors that are used to evaluate a diamond’s value and quality.
Starting with the colour, which classifies each diamond into grades. It ranges from grade D to grade Z. The highest grade is grade D – a flawless piece that comes with no colour or is pure white. And it, of course, comes with the highest price tag. The next near-colourless grade is grade J, which has a slightly tinted yellow colour, and grade Z is visibly yellow.
Diamond cut refers to how well-proportioned the diamond is and shows how each diamond interacts with light judging from their cuts, which basically means it sparkles.
The carat weight is how much the diamond weighs and the heavier the weight, the higher the price will be.
A diamond’s clarity is how clear and flawless the diamond is. The clarity rate starts from FL, which means flawless to I3, in other words inclusions are obvious under 10x magnification. Although no one can tell the difference between each grade by their own eyes but it does differ greatly in terms of the cost you will have to pay.
These 4 factors all need to be evaluated together to determine a diamond’s price and value. You might have seen some jewellery shops showing that they have a 5Cs standard as they add ‘certificates’ to the mix, which documents a diamond’s specific characteristics. While choosing the diamond for your ring, you should always ask or consult your jeweller about these key items.
- White colour diamond is not the only option.
White diamond is by far the most popular choice when it comes to diamond engagement rings, but there are more options than just that. Diamonds not only come in white or yellow colour but also other colours as well. However, coloured diamonds are not necessarily more expensive than white ones, but the higher price is determined by how rare it is. Affordable coloured diamonds come in grey, brown and some fancy yellow diamonds, while with a little higher price are, vivid yellow and orange diamonds. The coloured diamonds in the highest price range are blue, pink, green and violet.
- Choosing the right setting
A ring’s setting can bring the best out of your stone. Each setting has a different effect on each diamond and gives out a different feeling. The most common and classic ring setting is called a prong setting. It is a little metal claw that holds the diamond firmly in place. There are a lot of ring settings that you can choose from. Try matching several ring settings with your centrepiece until you can choose the best one that complements your ring the most.
Don’t think there is only just a yellow gold or platinum as your option; there are other beautiful options for you to choose as well. Each of them has different characteristics and pros and cons. For example, white gold is actually more affordable than platinum and makes white diamond look really great, although it complements paler skin tone more than darker tones. While rose gold complements all skin tones and is believed to be the most romantic piece due to its colour, although it might be harder to match with some centrepiece.
Find the one that uses durable materials and is made to last a long time in order to save your money on repairs in the future. Ask your jeweller for advice about the metal for the best outcome.
- Find your jeweller
When it comes to the new things you don’t know so much about, you should always turn to an expert for advice. Find a reputable jeweller in your city by checking their company reputation and checking with their previous customers. If you’re looking for a reliable jeweller in Australia, Certified Diamond Network – a trusted jeweller in New South Wales, is whom you should be contacting!
- Insure your ring
If you have decided to buy a diamond engagement ring, you should plan on getting your ring insured in case something unfortunate happens to it. Check with your insurance company if they have this kind of service. You might be surprised how much your engagement ring is worth. After you buy the ring, make sure you keep the receipt and make some copies. The same goes with your diamond certificates, keep them in a safe place to use as your reference should you have to go to the insurance company or provide evidence in the future.
Those are 10 of the most important factors that you have to consider when choosing an engagement ring. Take note of these factors and you’re sure to get the engagement ring that your partner will adore.
