Top 6 Things to Consider Before Engagement Ring Shopping

If you already know all about the importance of cut, color, and clarity of diamonds, you’re set…right? The reality is, there is much more to take into consideration when buying an engagement ring than you’d think. There is so much to choose from when you go shopping, that you need to have an idea of where you sit on the following 9 things.

1. 1.       Shape- This is much different than the cut of a diamond. That is a measurement of how well the individual facets of the ring were cut so that the diamond can have as much shine as possible. Shape refers to the look of the center diamond. Round, princess, pear, asscher, emerald, cushion, radiant, marquise, and oval are the options for shape. Look into these and decide what you are drawn to so that you have somewhat of a starting point once you get to a jeweler.
2. 2.       Setting- The setting is the rest of the ring. An amazing center diamond can look horrible if it’s not set correctly, so make sure that the styles of the two blend together and the quality of the setting is top-notch. There are tons of designs out there to choose from, some of which being bridge, split-band, solitaires, halo, three-stone, and baguette. Look at some examples to eliminate what you don’t like from what you do, and if you’re not seeing what you like at the jeweler, consider a custom design.
3. 3.       Metal- The type of metal is also a style choice, and you have several options. Gold can be made in several different colors, including white, yellow, green and rose. Platinum is a more durable choice than gold, and looks very similar to white gold. This choice is great for brides with sensitive skin because it is hypoallergenic. Palladium has a greyer tint and is another option.
4. Budget-Whatever happens, promise yourself to stick to your budget. There are things you can do to cut costs of a ring if you can’t afford the one you love. First, go for a larger surface area with the center diamond instead of a perfect cut. The diamond will not sparkle as much, but it will look much larger. If you don’t want to do that, go for a slightly smaller size. Inclusions are often times not noticeable to the naked eye, and that can be another area for compromise.
5. 5.       Loose stones-Remember that the jeweler will show you settings and stones separately, so don’t spend your entire budget on one or the other.
6. 6.       Timing- Leave yourself at least 6 weeks to get the ring once you’ve ordered it. It may take longer if it is a custom design.

These 6 things will prepare you well for buying the engagement ring of your dreams. For more information on the best engagement rings in Provo, click the link.

Author Bio- Derek Mason has worked in the jewelry industry for over 20 years, and loves designing and selling the best rings he can offer.