Buying an engagement ring is one of the most important purchases you will make in your life not only because most people spend a considerable amount of money on an engagement ring, but also because you want to choose the best symbol of your love for your future fiance. You want to give them the engagement ring as an eternal reminder of your love for them, so it absolutely has to be perfect. But how do you even begin choosing the perfect engagement ring that your loved one will wear on their finger every day for decades? Well, start by reading our simple guide to buying an engagement ring.
Consider the 4 C’s of engagement ring shopping
You’ve probably heard about the “Four C’s” of engagement ring shopping. This phrase refers to the cut, color, clarity and carat of the diamond in the engagement ring. By manipulating these four variables you can dramatically change the appearance of the engagement ring and its price. “Carat” refers to the carat weight of the diamond in the engagement ring, the average carat weight of an engagement ring diamond is one carat, but there are lots of options that are below or above this weight. “Cut” refers to the quality of the cut rather than the shape of the stone. The diamond is cut precisely in a way that maximizes its sparkle and the cut rating varies from poor to excellent depending on its quality. The “Clarity” rating characterizes how clear and free from imperfections the diamond is. Even though the diamond may seem clear to the naked eye, it can still have some white or black inclusions because the stone has formed naturally over millions of years. The more imperfections there are, the lower the price of the stone and the ring. The last “C” refers to the color of the diamond. Most diamonds seem clear, but in fact, they are not. The color of diamonds varies in ranking from D, which is assigned to the most expensive colorless diamonds, to Z, which means that the diamond has a visible yellowish color.
Choose the diamond shape in an engagement ring
As you probably know, diamonds in engagement rings come in all kinds of shapes, or cuts. Most people have a preference for one or several diamond shapes, so it’s important to find out what shape your lady likes before starting to look at engagement rings. Some of the most popular diamond shapes include pear, princess, emerald, round, cushion, oval and others.
Determine your engagement ring budget and priorities
There’s a commonly held belief that you’re supposed to spend three months’ salary on an engagement ring but this rule is an old marketing ply and you shouldn’t use when setting the budget for an engagement ring! Most couples spend a little less than 8,000 dollars on an engagement ring, but you can absolutely find a gorgeous one-carat ring for about 2,000 if you’re willing to compromise on the diamond’s setting and clarity. Once you know what’s important to you when it comes to the engagement ring, it will make it much easier to find a good option for your budget.