5 Things to Consider When Buying an Engagement Ring
So. You’ve found them. That person who makes your heart skip a beat. Who makes you laugh. Who laughs at your terrible jokes. The one you can’t imagine being without. And so, you’ve decided to ask the big question. Mildly terrifying, right? Fear not. While we can’t ask the question for you (sorry), we can help by breaking down the ring-making process and highlighting the five things to consider when buying an engagement ring. Read on, friends.
What to Consider When Buying an Engagement Ring
Their Style
The first thing to bear in mind while considering what to look for in an engagement ring is that while it’s natural to look at engagement rings with your own eye for style, it’s important to remember that your partner will be the one who is wearing the ring for many years to come, so it should match their design aesthetic. Look at their existing jewellery, wardrobe and hairstyle for clues.
Do they favour classic, simple design? Perhaps they’re always browsing in markets and vintage stores, looking for romantic 1950s styles and would prefer something with a more vintage aesthetic. Or maybe you’re in love with someone super glam, who loves nothing more than getting dressed up and making a statement.
Once you’ve got this part figured out, it’s on to step two and to determine what is the perfect engagement ring for your partner.
2. Their Lifestyle
Engagement rings are worn all day, every day, for many years – so it’s essential that they suit the lifestyle of the wearer.
If your partner is outdoorsy or goes to the gym a lot, it’s probably not practical to have a delicate, ornate ring with lots of stones, because there’s a good chance that a stone will get knocked out, or the ring will bend or warp.
On the other hand, if they enjoy spending time indoors and are more book club than bike club, more party animal than animal lover, a fancy style ring may be just their cup of tea.
3. Their Finger Size
The third in our list of five things to consider when buying an engagement ring is probably the step that causes many to lose sleep: how to find out your partner's ring size without giving away the game. You don’t want the ring to be too small when you propose (Cinderella nightmare), and if it’s too big, they won’t be able to wear it until it’s resized (although this is an easy process, only taking about half an hour).
If you do want to make the proposal a surprise, this does require being slightly sneaky. See if you can get hold of one of their existing rings and use our handy free printable ring size chart. Don’t forget, fingers have different circumferences, so make sure to choose one that they wear on their ring finger, not a middle finger or pinky. We can then help you to determine the closest ring size.
Another option to consider if you’re worried about how to choose an engagement ring or what is the perfect engagement ring, is to propose with a beautiful gemstone, and then design the ring together. Here at Simon Wright, we offer a Perfect Proposal ™ package, with just this in mind.
4. The Stone
Diamonds are the most popular choice for engagement rings, because they represent the strength of love. That said, although diamonds are the traditional choice, other gemstones such as coloured stones like sapphires, rubies or emeralds, or even coloured diamonds, are just as beautiful and can often be more budget-friendly, not to mention enable you to create a piece that really pops.
Choosing the best gemstone for your engagement ring can feel overwhelming when you’re expected to understand the 4 Cs (cut, colour, clarity, carat) and how they all come together to create the ‘perfect’ stone – at the perfect price, of course.
At Simon Wright Jewellery, we don’t think it should be all that complicated. For example, diamonds are graded in laboratory conditions, so what you see under a white light with a high-powered magnifier is not necessarily what you’ll see in normal daylight conditions. While it’s helpful to understand the grading process, we suggest looking closely at a number of stones and choosing the one that is most beautiful to you, within your budget.
5. The Setting
Our fifth and final tip for things to consider when buying an engagement ring is the setting. The metal you choose to set your stones in is an often underrated, but just as important part of designing the perfect engagement ring.
Platinum’s molecular properties make it the most durable of precious metals, but your choice will come back to your partner’s style, as well as their lifestyle. Rose gold, for example, can create a lovely vintage look, while yellow gold is classic and tends to suit all ages and stages of life. If you’re including coloured stones as part of your design, that will also influence your choice of setting, as you’ll want to ensure a harmonious combination.
Designing an engagement ring can and should be a joyful process, the start of many wonderful memories for you and your partner.
Still Unsure? Ask The Experts
Still a little unsure of how to choose an engagement ring? We are well aware that there are many more things to consider; engagement ring shopping is a daunting task! That’s why at Simon Wright Jewellery, we’re here to help. When you schedule an appointment at our workshop, you’ll meet Simon in a low-pressure environment. During the process, you can see your design come to life with our use of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and 3D printing, making sure that you come away with the perfect custom engagement ring for the perfect person in your life.
Does that make you breathe a little easier? Why not check our guide to engagement ring styles and cuts for further hints and tips on things to consider when buying an engagement ring?
Contact us to schedule an appointment. Start your bespoke engagement ring journey today.
Be sure to follow our Instagram page for inspiration on what to look for in an engagement ring with some of our latest creations, including teal sapphire engagement rings, as well as vintage reproduction rings and peach sapphire engagement rings.
Simon Wright is a highly respected jeweller whose precision, artistry, and dedication to craftsmanship have defined his career for over three decades. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to create meaningful, exquisitely made pieces, he has earned recognition not only from clients but also within the wider industry. Simon has contributed to the prestigious Goldsmiths’ Craftsmanship & Design Awards as a judge, supporting innovation in design, and has trained apprentices who have gone on to build successful careers, cementing his reputation as both a master craftsman and a mentor within the luxury jewellery world.
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