Guidelines For Engagement Ring Shopping

If you are preparing to propose to your girlfriend and starting to think about buying an engagement ring, you ought to be prepared for what can be a very tricky selection process. It isn’t so hard to find an appropriate store or source for an engagement ring; you can browse through local shops, or look on line at the extensive selections of engagement and wedding rings. The tough part is learning some of the specifics about engagement rings, and then finding one that you think will suit your bride-to-be.

Here are a few tips that can serve as a basic guide to buying your engagement ring.

• Know the terms associated with diamonds. As you shop and compare rings, you will hear some of these terms frequently, and it’s important to understand them so that you can differentiate between rings.

The “four C’s” are the most common terms: Cut refers to the detailed surface design and angles of a diamond, with better cut diamonds reflecting more light; Color refers to how “white,” or clear a diamond is; Carat refers, literally to a diamond’s weight, and therefore size; and Clarity refers to how free of imperfections (such as scratches, cloudiness, etc.) a diamond is.

• Understand that more expensive diamonds are not necessarily “better.” Sure, a bigger diamond is more rare, and therefore more valuable in terms of monetary value. However, the best ring is the ring that best suits your fiancé’s tastes and preferences. So, while a high carat, large diamond may be a bit more glamorous and more expensive, it may well be that the best fit for your situation is something smaller.

• Give some thought to the ring’s setting as well. It’s easy to get caught up in selecting the perfect diamond or stone, as this tends to be the main feature of a ring. However, the setting will play just as big a role in determining how the ring will really look.

Similarly, consider the shape of your stone, if you have an option in this. There are numerous options for both shape and setting, all of which can be browsed through online or in jewelry shops.

• Finally, do not necessarily limit your search process to diamonds. Granted, diamond engagement rings are traditional and very popular, but there are other options out there that can be perfect for women who like other stores. For a good example, all you need to do is look at the now-famous engagement ring of Princess Kate, which featured a large blue sapphire!

If your fiancé prefers colorful jewelry, or has an affinity for a certain type of stone, you can explore these sorts of options for engagement rings as well.