Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and so are the proposals!
BRB while we go drown our sorrows in Ben & Jerry’s and the saddest Rom-Com known to man.
There is so much to consider when shopping for an engagement ring, so we've made the process a bit easier for you.
We’ve connected with Ring Concierge to curate the ultimate engagement ring shopping guide to ensure your soulmate says yes!
Keep reading for expert tips on how to make the ring shopping process streamlined and stress-free, from start to finish.
See Also: Dating App Founder Shares How to Curate A Strong Online Profile (And Meet The One!)
At the very start of the engagement ring shopping journey, it's important to set a budget. For starters, you can ignore the two-month salary rule. Instead, your budget should depend on what you feel comfortable with.
An engagement ring is something she'll wear every day so it's important that it reflects her personal style. Even if you haven't explicitly discussed what she envisions for her dream ring, there are plenty of ways to get a good idea without asking. Her friends, family members, and even Pinterest are additional great resources. Even taking note of the jewelry she already loves and wears can give you some direction. Does she only wear gold? Does she gravitate toward vintage-inspired pieces or more modern designs?
You've heard about the four Cs of diamonds: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Each of these attributes affects the price, but some matter when determining which diamonds meet your preferences and standard — it's all a matter of opinion. You'll want to understand the four Cs so you can decide what's most important to you, what makes the most sense for your budget, and feel more confident by knowing exactly what you're shopping for.
Buying shy of the carat is one of the smartest ways to get the most bling for your buck when buying an engagement ring. Prices increase significantly at the full carat mark.
When making a purchase as important as an engagement ring, the paperwork is essential in confirming the quality of the diamond you are buying. Make sure that the diamonds are natural (meaning from the earth, not lab-grown) GIA certified and guaranteed by their suppliers to be conflict-free.
Once she has her engagement ring, you'll want to make sure it's protected by insurance.
Photography by: Rachel Mcdermott, Bell collective
