Are you planning on proposing to your partner soon? Or maybe you’re hoping to get engaged and are looking to drop some subtle hints? Whatever the reason for engagement rings being on your mind, there’s more to consider than just how they look.
Unlike other jewellery items, this is a piece designed to represent commitment, so it’s something that will be worn daily for years to come. Therefore, it needs to be both timeless and practical. Whilst it is crucial that your partner loves the ring at first sight, it is equally as important that it is going to stand the test of time.
Here are some of the key considerations you should make when picking out an engagement ring:
The 4Cs
If you plan on buying a ring that features one or multiple diamonds, there are four Cs you should consider. These are colour, clarity, cut and carat weight. We recommend Abelini for a great selection of diamond rings.
Gain the insights of a jeweller before you make this big purchase by doing some research into the four Cs and decide which are most important to you. Doing this will allow you to narrow down your search more easily and help to give you a rough idea of the cost.
If you aren’t confident with your knowledge after some research, consider asking for a jeweller’s advice.
Metal
The most popular metal choices for jewellery are gold, silver and rose gold, along with the beautiful yet durable platinum. There is some variation within these colours, including yellow gold and white gold.
Your partner is likely to want the band of their engagement ring to match the rest of the jewellery that they wear, as people often stick to one metal colour. Take a look at their existing collection and the jewellery they wear on a daily basis for some guidance.
If your partner doesn’t currently wear any jewellery at all, you could base your decision on the tone of their skin or ask a close friend or family member what you think they would prefer – or even just ask your partner outright.
Setting
Settings are used to both hold diamonds in place and protect them from damage. There are lots of setting options to choose from and these change both the appearance and practicality of a ring.
Talk with your jeweller about your partner’s lifestyle to gain advice on the type of setting that would best suit them.
For example, if they work with their hands then a bezel setting might be best to avoid the diamond getting caught. If not, a prong setting might be more to their taste.
As well as lifestyle, the setting will also determine how a wedding band will sit next to the engagement ring.
Ring size
Do you know your partner’s ring size? Do not worry if the answer to that is no, you are certainly not alone! Luckily, it is still possible to buy an engagement ring without this information, so no surprise proposals need to be ruined.
The easiest way to figure out your partners’ ring size is to use a ring measure. However, this can be very tricky to do discreetly. If your partner already wears rings, either take one of these to the jeweller or draw an outline of its circumference on a piece of paper to take with you.
It is usually possible for rings to be resized a little, but check this before committing to a purchase if you don’t have an accurate idea of their ring size.
Insurance
The proposal process varies from person to person, and it may be that you are purchasing a ring months or even years in advance of the proposal. Therefore, it is crucial that you insure the ring as soon as you have it, so that you are protected in case anything were to happen to it.
