Deciding that you’re ready to settle down and marry the love of your life is an incomparable feeling.
But before you pop the question, you’re faced with one of the toughest tasks your relationship will face — finding the right engagement ring.
Choosing a ring can feel overwhelming. To make the process easier, we’ve come up with some tips to consider.
So keep reading to find out how you can find the perfect ring and start your happily ever after!
Table of Contents
How Much Should You Actually Spend?
You’ve probably heard that it’s customary to spend three months’ salary when buying an engagement ring. What you might not know, however, is that the popular saying came from an advertising campaign by De Beers diamond company in the 1930s.
In fact, the slogan bears no real basis on ring pricing, especially when you account for inflation since the 1930s.
But that leaves us with an important question — how much are you supposed to spend, then? Well, there’s no hard and fast answer.
Choose an engagement ring that fits within your price range. You can find plenty of great rings for a reasonable price and you won’t have to go into debt just for your wedding proposal.
Choosing the Right Shape
With your price range determined, it’s time to start shopping! As you begin finding the perfect ring, you’ll notice that they come in all sorts of different shapes.
In total, there are 11 different types of ring shapes. Some of the more popular cuts include:
- Princess
- Round
- Heart
- Trilliant
The right shape comes down to personal taste. If you’re not sure what shape your partner would like best, bring along a friend or family member who knows your partner’s style.
Making the Cut
It’s a common misconception that a diamond cut refers to a ring’s shape. Instead, a ring’s diamond cut grade refers to how well it reflects light.
The more reflective the diamond is, the higher the grade.
Different grading scales are used depending on the ring’s shape. For round cuts, for example, experts use a scale ranging from poor to excellent. Other cuts use a number scale of 0 to 10, with 10 being the best quality.
Lab-Grown Alternatives
One thing to consider as you go to buy an engagement ring is whether your partner would appreciate a lab-grown diamond.
They’re still ‘real’ diamonds, but the processes used to create them require less labor and materials. The result is twofold:
First, you can feel good about your purchase, as you won’t have to worry about the conditions under which the diamond was mined.
Second, you’ll save a ton of money. Lab grown diamond engagement rings are significantly more affordable than their counterparts, often costing a fraction of what a standard diamond costs.
Your Guide to Finding the Best Engagement Ring
The perfect engagement ring is out there! And now that you know what to look for and how to find it, it’s time to get to shopping!
Remember, if you get stuck, don’t hesitate to bring in a trusted friend or family member. You’re sure to find a gorgeous ring!
For more tips on looking great without breaking the bank, check out our blog!
Read Also: The Average Cost of an Engagement Ring