Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: How to Buy the Best Ring
• Method 2 of 4: Choosing a bezel
• Method 3 of 4: Choosing a quality diamond for your ring
• Method 4 of 4: Buying a ring
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

Finding and buying an engagement ring shouldn't seem like a scary and overwhelming task to you.With a fair amount of awareness of what to look out for when choosing a ring, it can be quite enjoyable when you add the excitement and joy of asking the girl of your dreams to marry you. In this article, you will learn about the most important things to focus on when choosing a ring for your beloved one. So, let's start with the first step towards choosing the perfect ring for your bride-to-be.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: How to Buy the Best Ring

1. 1 Take a look at her jewelry for a general idea of ​​her preferences. Choosing a ring is a tricky task, you need to find something that she would like, while making it unexpected. The best way to do this is to look at what rings and jewelry she likes to wear. You don't need to be a jewelry expert at all. Just pay attention to these aspects:
   • Style... Does she choose colorful, bright jewelry or does she prefer a discreet, ascetic and traditional style?
   • Colour... What color does it gravitate towards? Is she leaning towards colorful options, or is she keeping her choices simpler with a preference for white, silver and gold?
   • Bezel... The bezel is the metal that holds the stones together. Is she choosing silver, gold or platinum? Or is she interested in catchy, more unusual designs and materials?
   • The size... How big are the pebbles on most of her jewelry? Does she like small, discreet jewelry or large and extravagant rings?
2. 2 Use clues and advice from family and friends to come up with ideas for a potential ring with which you will offer her a hand and a heart. Even if you get it right about the jewelry she has, many women have a special idea of ​​what their ideal engagement ring should be. As you get closer to the main question, consider the following:
   • Make a comment about your friend's ring and at the same time find out about the preferences of your beloved. You can say something like: “I think Masha's ring is too flashy. What do you think?"
   • Ask family and friends for ideas. Did she talk to them about rings or jewelry that she liked?
   • Determine her relationship to diamonds. Is she an active participant in the movement for fair trade and human rights? Then, in the process of choosing, it is probably worth looking for recycled gold and diamonds without a controversial origin.
3. 3 Discuss alternative gemstones with her if she is not particularly interested in diamonds. Diamonds account for 90% of all engagement rings sold, but this is not the only option. Many people dislike illegal "blood diamonds", the true value of which is rather low (but the companies artificially inflate it), and a certain routine of diamond rings, so they prefer alternative gemstones. It is worth considering:
   • sapphireA: bright blue stone is the second most common stone for wedding rings;
   • Emerald: bright green stone, before buying which it is worth making sure that she likes this color;
   • colored diamonds: yes, it's still a diamond, but yellow; black or pink color will give a special charm to the ring, while remaining true to tradition.
4. 4 Consider engagement first, ring later. When choosing such an expensive gift, it is better to first make sure that she will like it. Increasingly, men make an offer without a ring at all or with a simple ring, and then two of them choose the same ring. This way you can be sure that she will get what she wants. And the pressure is also relieved from you, and you do not have to choose such an expensive thing yourself. Guys usually do not buy jewelry and are less receptive to the tastes of their passion. Therefore, work together!

Method 2 of 4: Choosing a bezel

1. 1 Choose the appropriate metal for the bezel. This is the round part of the ring that you put on your finger.It is usually made from gold, silver, or platinum, although there are other combinations of metals. Keep in mind that metals rub and wear against each other, so you should wear items of the same metal on adjacent fingers. Take a look at her jewelry collection to understand her preferences and learn to distinguish between the three most popular metals:
   • Gold has a yellow-orange color in its natural state, and a different metal is often added to the alloy for wear resistance. Some people prefer light yellow or less "pure" gold in 14 (585 carat) or 10 carats (417 carat), as the yellow reflection will give the diamond a light color;
   • White gold - it is an alloy of gold with other metals to give it a whitish hue; it is covered with a thin layer of another metal, most often rhodium, to give a bright silvery sheen. This coating wears off over time, but if requested in advance, some jewelry stores have a free ring replacement service;
   • Platinum is hard, durable, and has a natural silver color that may darken slightly over time, which may not be a problem at all. Since gold will give the diamond a slight yellowish tint, you will simply be wasting money trying to match it with a stone of incredible clarity;
   • Silver less common, but at the same time it costs less. It is usually alloyed with something else for strength and shine.
2. 2 Choose the style of the ring that suits your soul mate, be it something fresh and original, or simple and traditional. Even if you've decided on a metal, you still have options to consider when it comes to basics. Usually, the variety of choices is simply impressive - from classic, simple rings to twisted, rolled and other unique designs.
   • Do you want the base to be encrusted with pebbles or should it only consist of metal?
   • Should it be thick for more stones / metal or thin?
3. 3 Think about the setting of the ring, or how the stone will hold on to the base. The bezel is the part that holds the gem in place. It can be "jagged" or "invisible". A setting with a stone socket and at least six prongs is more practical to wear if the ring is worn during certain activities, although some women prefer it when the metal does not cover the stone too much.
4. 4 Get the right size. The correct choice of the ring as a whole depends on the choice of the size of the bezel. One way to find out the size of her finger is to secretly take one of her rings, which she often wears, and ask the jeweler to determine the size; the truth is, you need to crank everything quickly so that she does not notice the loss. If you can't pick up the ring, try the following:
   • circle the inner circle of the ring on a piece of paper, and then use this picture to determine the size;
   • put the ring on your finger, then mark with a pen where it fits.

Method 3 of 4: Choosing a quality diamond for your ring

1. 1 Decide on a diamond. Diamonds are a traditional choice for engagement rings because they are durable and go with everything. Discard the diamond if you know that your girlfriend loves some other stone much more, or if she has a strong dislike for diamonds. When choosing a stone, pay attention to four aspects:
   • faceting;
   • the number of carats;
   • Colour;
   • purity.
2. 2 Choose the right cut or shape for the stone. There are different ways to cut diamonds and it depends on how the diamond will shine. Stones with a "round" facet shine the most, while "radiant" and "princess" are more suitable for hiding imperfections. Other cuts include square, emerald, pear, marquis, cushion, Asher, heart. The oval shape is suitable for large stones, as they then appear larger than round cut.A good cut is even more important than weight, clarity, or color: a diamond, like a road reflector, bounces light back towards its source and refracts it in the process.
   • It is important that the selection is based on objective data, such as images taken with angular spectrum estimation tools or an ideal scope, which can be purchased from a jeweler. This is especially important if you are buying a ring online.
   SPECIALIST'S ADVICE

   “My favorite is the cut emeralds. Large square edges visually make the ring larger and the fingers thinner. This is a pretty popular option! "

   
   

   

   Leah Weinberg

   Professional wedding and event planner Lea Weinberg is the owner and creative director of Color Pop Events, a New York City wedding organization with a focus on detail and logistics. Runs Color Pop for six years now. Her colorful work and tips for organizing events have been published online and in print in publications such as Vogue, Bravo, Thrive Global, Glamor, Marie Claire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Martha Stewart Living, The Knot, Buzzfeed and others. I recently published the book "The Wedding Roller Coaster".

   Leah Weinberg
   Professional wedding and event organizer

3. 3 Carats are used to define weight or size in general. Carats are a unit of measure for diamonds and refer more to the weight of the stone rather than its size. Carats are broken down into 100 divisions, which are measurements of the percentage of carat a diamond contains. For example, if a diamond has 75 units, then it contains 75% or 0.75 carats. More carats means a larger stone and more value.
4. 4 Consider whether you want a clear or colored diamond. The color of diamonds varies greatly, but most people prefer white stones for their engagement rings. Colors range from D (colorless and rare), and most good quality diamonds will be from F to H. Although all grades from D to I are almost identical when placed side by side.
   • In general, it is better not to choose stones of a color class below H. Since they noticeably give off yellowness.
5. 5 Pay attention to the purity of the stone. Since diamonds form naturally, there are minor imperfections in almost all of them. They are called "blotches", and they arise from small contaminants that were present at the time of the formation of the diamond, that is, millions of years ago. The fewer imperfections, the more purity and more light is reflected from the stone, making it shine. Naturally, greater purity increases value. Perfect flawless diamonds with no internal imperfections or surface imperfections are very difficult to find as they are extremely rare.
   • The purity scale uses F1 for stones without any flaws, VVS1 and VVS2 for very very small inclusions, VS1 and VS2 for very small inclusions, SI1 and SI2 for minor inclusions, and I1, I2 and I3 for imperfect diamonds.
   • Diamonds are examined under a 10x magnifying glass to assess their clarity, since minor imperfections are not visible to the naked eye. This means that there is a whole range of stones available even on a modest budget. If you see a flaw without magnification, think carefully before making a purchase.
6. 6 Don't forget the practicality of the ring. If your girlfriend is a fan of outdoor activities, consider buying a ring that will work well during active activities. The higher the gem is placed on the ring, the more often it will cling to clothing, equipment, hair, and the like, and the more likely it is to wobble. Look for a low-cut ring for an active girl, and a taller one for a fashionista or glamorous lady.

Method 4 of 4: Buying a ring

1. 1 Determine your budget in advance. There is a tradition that a man should spend two months' salary on an engagement ring, but this is a silly, unfounded rule. You should buy whatever ring you can afford without incurring debt. Determine the amount you are willing to spend, and proceed from this. Several ways to save money without sacrificing quality include:
   • do not be confused by the common sizes, in 1 or 2 carats.A 1.9 carat stone isn't too different, but can save you up to 20%;
   • try to find something with a wide cut, so even a small pebble will look larger;
   • look for antique stones and rings instead of buying new ones - they have their own flavor, uniqueness, and their cost can be much lower.
2. 2 Pick a good jewelry brand and look for online resources. Choose a store that is comfortable for you and where the staff are pleasant and helpful. If possible, check to see if the jewelry house is registered with a society, association or organization that regulates the work of jewelers. Moreover, don't be afraid of online jewelry stores - you can save up to 100% compared to expensive chain jewelry stores:
   • Ask married friends or family for advice from good, trusted jewelers.
   • Make sure the jewelry house has a good online reputation before making a purchase by searching for "(online brand name) + reviews."
3. 3 Ask for a certificate of authenticity and a warranty card to be attached to the ring. Certificates are worth checking to find out where the diamond originated. They are usually included with purchases of stones larger than 1 carat. When buying a smaller diamond, the certificate can add a significant amount to the total value, and you may have to pay a decent amount to get it.
   • For more expensive rings, a certificate is a must to confirm that the new stone will not lose its value.
4. 4 Insure the ring. It is very likely that this ring will become the most expensive piece of jewelry you will ever buy. It will also be the most expensive piece of jewelry your bride has ever worn. So that she does not have to part with the ring for assessment and insurance, when she just started to get used to it, do it before making an offer. Check to see if the insurance covers the loss of the ring or take out insurance at a jewelry store if they provide such a service.

Tips

• If your fiancé has a sister or close friend, take her on a shopping trip as an advisor.
• If you order a ring online, only buy a round frame. It will be difficult for you to notice flaws in other designs.
• Consider designs with engraving, filigree, inlay, micro-incrustation, or edging.
• You may prefer a different gem. A three-stone ring - a colored stone in the center and two diamonds on the sides - can be a pretty impressive engagement gift. Rubies and sapphires are hard to wear, but emeralds are more delicate stones. In addition, these jewels are not as expensive as traditional diamonds. But nevertheless, the purity of the stone is important, and the color should also be bright and saturated.
• If your fiancé is close to her mom, chances are her mom will be aware of her preferences.
• Ask the girl about the ring, but not too explicitly so that she doesn't guess that you are planning to propose to her. For example, put the question this way: "What rings do you like?" Do not under any circumstances say something like: "If I proposed to you, which ring would you like?" It will be too obvious.
• If you buy a ring without your girlfriend's involvement at all, she may not like the shape, color, or other elements. Think about it carefully, since this is the thing that she will wear throughout your life together. On the other hand, some girls may be disappointed if you propose to them without a ring. Ask the jeweler if it is possible to make an exchange if she really does not like your choice.
• The most popular metals for engagement rings are white gold, yellow gold, and platinum. These metals are very durable and therefore great for jewelry that will last for many years.
• Buy the rarer and less expensive stardust mineral, moissanite, for its optical qualities even better than diamonds.
• If you do decide to buy a ring on the Internet with a setting other than a round one, make sure that the product has a clear image of the particular diamond you are buying so that you can appreciate its shape.

Warnings

• Buy insurance for the full cost of the ring, or make sure it covers the amount that will not cause major problems if you need to replace something from your own pocket. Consider paying periodic insurance premiums when buying a very expensive ring. You will also consider buying a separate insurance for the ring if the loss of it would result in a disproportionate increase in premiums overall.
• Do not buy a ring if the store does not have a 14-day return guarantee. This is how much you need to understand if the ring suits your goals.
• Don't be seduced by the idea that white gold or palladium is somehow similar to platinum.
• Make sure your ring comes with a warranty.
• Stay away from jewelry markets, pawn shops or jewelry centers in the suburbs, where the quality of the products is often poor and there are many scammers. (Regardless, many of these businesses are legal.) Do some research before buying.
• Remember that most of the engagement ring traditions were invented by the De Beers Corporation (at one time the corporation was a monopoly in the field of diamond mining) in order to increase sales. This also applies to the "two-month salary rule".

What do you need

• Ring finger size. You can find out with the help of a conventional plastic bracelet fastener.