The time has come. You and your beloved have decided that you want to spend the rest of your lives together. Congratulations, you are about to embark on an amazing journey. Whether you are reading this hoping to surprise the one you love with an engagement ring, or you have decided to go shopping for a ring together, there are some highly suggested tips for making sure you end up with the ring your heart desires and a bank account that isn’t tapped out.

Do your research. There is nothing more confrontational than walking into a jewelry store or browsing online and realizing that you have no clue what you are looking for. Sit down together or alone and brainstorm. Do you prefer yellow or white gold? Do you want something more traditional like a diamond center stone or do you want something with more color, like an emerald or sapphire?

If you are hoping to surprise someone with a ring, think hard about what type of jewelry they normally wear. If all you see on a daily basis is a simple silver necklace or other ring, you may want to steer clear of chunky, flashy yellow gold. Think about their taste and what they will want to look at every day.

Know how much you can spend. It really helps to have an amount in mind before you start your ring shopping. It’s easy to be swayed by encouraging sales people or by dazzling rings sparkling temptingly on your computer screen.

If you get clear beforehand on how much you are willing and able to spend (either upfront or through monthly payments) you can make sure to only look at rings in your price range.

Consider buying the stone separately. Sometimes purchasing the stone and the setting separately can save you a bit of money, and it may also give you more freedom of choice around creating a dream ring.

Look up cuts of stones to figure out which you prefer, and keep that in mind. A little insider tip when choosing a stone is to look for one with high color and cut but a little lower clarity. It will cost a bit less and you won’t be able to see the difference.

There is safety in numbers. If you are buying the ring as a surprise for your love, enlist the help of a friend or family member. Make sure that it is someone who knows the person who will be receiving the ring, as they can give you helpful advice and tips on what ring would be the best choice.

Look for a reputable jeweler. Whether you are venturing out into the malls or streets or sipping tea in front of your computer at home, look for a jeweler with a sterling reputation.

If you are looking for a jeweler online, examine their certifications (they should be listed), read customer reviews and see what type of customer support they offer. If you are looking in physical jewelry stores, try a local store versus a chain-you may receive more personal attention and a more unique ring selection.

Stretch your budget. Sometimes we don’t always have the money for the things we (or our loved ones) want, so you may find yourself wanting to buy a ring that you simply can’t afford.

To help make what money you do have go farther in the ring department, try the following tricks: ask for a stone with more surface area-it will appear bigger. Look at a stone that’s a slightly smaller carat than the one you are really coveting. Little carat changes can equal big savings. Opt for white gold over platinum.

When in doubt, ask. If you had intended for the ring to be a surprise but you just can’t figure out what the person would want, you may have to do one of two things: Take them shopping with you and lose the element of surprise, or propose with a “stand in” ring and then take them shopping for their ring of choice.

Categories: Engagement, Engagement Rings
Tags: Engagement Ring, Engagement Rings, Gold Rings, Vintage Engagement Rings