8 Best Tips for Buying an Engagement Ring: How To Guide
Getting ready to take the next step and become a fiance(e)? This guide has the best tips for buying an engagement ring!
About eight months before we got engaged, my fiancé and I went engagement ring shopping together! I know it’s not the most “traditional” route, but I’ve definitely seen more and more couples choosing to pick out their rings together. We just felt like it was a big decision that we wanted to make together.
And honestly… I loved it! Yes, it takes a bit of the ~surprise~ out of getting engaged, but he’s literally my best friend and we have a hard time keeping things a secret from each other anyway LOL. Plus, we’ve already talked about taking the next step (getting engaged was more of a matter of when, not if haha), and trying on rings together was such a fun experience!
There’s a huge spectrum for couples when it comes to buying an engagement ring. Some people prefer to keep it a total secret, while others do the entire process together, start to finish. For us, we went shopping together to try on different styles, and our wonderful jeweler (if you’re in the Seattle area, highly recommend checking out T.Anthony Jewelers!!!) helped us design a custom ring. After that, my fiance managed the rest of the process solo. Everything was hush-hush – I had no idea when he picked up the ring, which at least kept it a bit of a surprise for the actual proposal!
SO – whether you’re shopping together or alone, this guide is packed with all the best tips based on my engagement ring journey! It has all the best tips to help you find the perfect match 🙂
This post is all about the best tips for buying an engagement ring.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you. All opinions are genuinely mine.
TIPS FOR BUYING AN ENGAGEMENT RING
1. Set a budget together
Before diving into the engagement ring shopping process, my partner and I had an honest convo about what he was comfortable spending. We set a price range and shared that with our jeweler. Aligning on a price point is a good idea because it’ll help narrow down options and avoids any “fell in love with a ring you can’t afford” disappointment.
Pro-tip: The old-school “three months salary” rule is just that… old-school! Pick a budget that works for you. Want to go big and get something extravagant since it’ll be worn forever? Do it! Rather save your money for a month-long vacation together instead? DO IT! There are no set rules on how much you should spend – find something that feels right for your relationship.
2. Decide on the right center stone
Yes, while most people think of diamonds as *the* engagement ring stone, you don’t have to stick to that! What are the best alternative stones if you don’t want a diamond? You can definitely go with a gorgeous and sparkley moissanite stone or some colored gems you might consider are sapphire, amethyst, topaz, tanzanite! The perfect engagement ring is all about what you like the most.
If you do want to look at diamond rings, decide between natural vs lab-grown diamonds! Both are stunning, but just created differently!
Natural diamonds:
Formed over billions of years, natural diamonds are truly a piece of history! This definitely adds to their timeless and traditional appeal. Plus, they tend to hold their value well over time, making them a meaningful investment.
Lab-grown diamonds:
Chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds, lab diamonds are created in controlled environments (hence, lab-grown LOL). Unless you’re a gemologist with all the fancy equipment, you literally can’t tell the difference. They’re usually 30-40% cheaper than natural diamonds, making them a popular choice if you want a bigger or higher-quality stone for the same price! Also a good choice if you’re looking for an eco-friendly or ethically sourced option since they don’t involve traditional mining practices 🙂
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3. Learn about the 4 C’s (Carat, Cut, Color, Clarity)
If you’re new to the jewelry industry, the 4 C’s are the foundation of buying a diamond (or most jewels). The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) actually created this system and established the universal standard for grading a diamond’s quality!
Carat
This basically refers to the size of the diamond. Bigger isn’t always better—it’s about finding the right balance for your budget and style. Plus, a diamond’s shape and setting can definitely influence its “visual” weight vs the actual carat weight.
For example, an oval cut can look longer than a solitaire (round) cut with the same carat size because of its elongated shape.
Pro Tip: Diamonds underneath the full carats (ie. 0.90 vs 1.00) can almost look the same size as a full carat but cost significantly less!
Cut
Diamond cuts are honestly the most important factor because it affects how brilliantly the diamond shines! It determines how well the diamond reflects light, which makes it look more sparkly. The good news is that you can often get the best cut without a huge price jump – so if you’re thinking about where to prioritize, definitely consider cut!
Scale: Poor to Excellent
Color
This measures how white the diamond appears. It’s actually measuring the absence of color – the less color, the higher the grade.
An honest piece of advice: you can probably go a little lower on the color scale because most people can’t actually tell the difference between adjacent color grades, especially when it’s set on a ring and on your hand!
We even had a hard time telling a difference when comparing two diamonds side by side… and when would that ever happen when the ring is actually on?
Scale: D (colorless) to Z (noticeable tint)
Clarity
This refers to teeny tiny imperfections on the stone (think lil black flakes)! Most inclusions are microscopic, so don’t stress unless they’re super noticeable. You can save quite a bit by choosing a diamond with a slightly lower clarity grade that still looks invisible to the naked eye.
Scale: I1 (included) – FL (flawless)
4. Understand the different shapes and setting styles
There are SO many diamond engagement ring cuts and ring settings to choose from! Take your time on deciding what style of ring you like by looking online (yes, make that Pinterest inspo board) or window-shopping at jewelry stores.
Common diamond cuts are: round, emerald, oval, pear, cushion, princess
Common settings are: solitaire, halo, three-stone ring
Common setting metals are: white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, titanium
5. Shop around: local jewelers vs big retailers
The first time we went engagement ring shopping, we checked out Brilliant Earth. The appointment went great and we were almost sold! But after reading some mixed reviews (like diamonds popping out of settings—oof), we decided to shop around and found a reputable jeweler nearby (T. Anthony’s Jewelers — check them out in you’re in Seattle!).
BEST DECISION EVER. They designed a custom ring for us, and it was about 10% cheaper for the same diamond specs. Plus, we got to support a small business! When buying an engagement ring, definitely take your time to shop around for a reputable retailer.
6. Consider your wedding ring too
While picking out my engagement ring, our jeweler had me try on different wedding bands to see how they stacked with the ring. Even though we didn’t buy the wedding band right away, it was super helpful to visualize the full set before committing to a setting style.
7. Think about everyday wear
Before you commit to a ring, envision yourself actually wearing it! If it’s something you want to wear every day, consider how it’ll fit into your lifestyle. Super active or work a lot with your hands? You might want something more practical, like a lower-profile setting. Alternatively, you could always go big and get an active band (like this one on Amazon) — just make sure to think through how it’ll fit into your day-to-day!
8. Get ring insurance!
This is seriously a NON-NEGOTIABLE. Please please PLEASE get your engagement ring ensured! Ring insurance covers theft, loss, and damage. Can you imagine being on vacation and losing your ring? Or doing something with your hands and the loose stone falls out? It’s a small price to pay for peace of mind, especially if you plan on wearing it every day. You often add it to your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance or get a separate policy through a company like Jewelers Mutal.
Buying an engagement ring is SUCH a fun and exciting journey!! I hope these tips help you make the best choice when shopping for your own engagement ring. These are truly the things I wish I knew before buying an engagement ring.The best piece of expert advice I can give you is simply to just have fun, enjoy the process, and choose the perfect ring for YOU (not just what’s trending or what your friends/family like)!
This post was all the best tips for buying an engagement ring!
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