Choosing jewellery or an engagement ring is not always an easy task for men. An engagement ring in particular is one of the most important purchases you’ll make, so you might well be feeling the pressure. Here are some handy hints to make buying an important piece of jewellery much easier. Here are some factors to consider:
Budget
Most importantly, your first step should be establishing how much you can comfortably afford to spend. This will help to narrow down the search and the range of products available to you.
Consider her style
Will the ring you’re looking at suit your partner’s style and personality? Will the ring be a complete surprise, or do you think she’ll want a say in choosing it? Perhaps you could consult with her close friends or family if you want to keep the element of surprise. Have a look at the jewellery she currently wears to see if there’s a common theme, such as all silver or only gold.
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend
Elegant and timeless, there’s a reason why engagement rings almost always include diamonds. The things to look for are the 4Cs – clarity, colour, carat and cut. Cut refers to the shape of the diamond in the ring, carat refers to the weight and size of the gem, colour is self-explanatory, and clarity refers to the number of blemishes or inclusions on the stone.
Size and colour will most likely be the most important aspects for the woman wearing the ring, as these are the things seen by the naked eye. If you need to skimp on one for the sake of your budget, sacrifice some of the clarity for better colour and/or weight.
Ring Setting
This is the part that can get confusing as there are thousands of combinations and varieties. If she’s given you some hints, great! If not, you’ll have to go with your instincts. Remember that after you’ve proposed, if the setting isn’t right, she can always have the stone remounted on a setting of her choice.
Metal
The most popular choices are platinum and white gold. Platinum is normally the pricier of the two. There can be some discolouration of white gold over time (which is actually yellow in colour) so if choosing a solitaire diamond, platinum might be the preferred option. If the setting is covered with diamonds, then white gold discolouration won’t be visible.