Top Tips for Engagement Ring Shopping

Whether you're looking to buy a ring before you pop the question or after the big "YES" here are the top ten tips for choosing the engagement ring.

Budget

I know, I know. This is the boring bit but, before you even start looking, decide how much you are comfortable spending.

Knowing your budget will hugely negate what you buy and where from. It will also save any embarrassment or miscommunication along the way.

Don't succumb to the pressure of the amount you spend on an engagement ring should be a percentage of your salary. It's a dated wedding concept and there are lots of options available to suit all budgets.

Do they offer refunds?

This may sound insensitive but it's good to know either way.

Firstly, heaven forbid, the answer to the proposal should be no.

Secondly, its very easy to get caught up in the pressure of engagement ring shopping, particularly if its a one off piece. Knowing where you stand on the return policy gives you that extra bit of piece of mind when buying.

Knowing the ring size

Getting the ring size right can feel impossible but it can be easily negated or fixed.

Where-ever you purchase your ring from ask them if it's possible for the ring to be sized and if so by how much. Most jewellers will offer this service without an additional charge. Note some rings can't be resized as it would compromise the stone settings, your jeweller will be able to advise you.

Another option is to grab a ring you know they wear, ideally on the same finger of the opposite hand and try to notice if they are left or right handed as this will normally change the ring size by a half. Also the thicker the band on the ring the bigger the size you'll need.

Please try not to get too stressed. The difference between sizes is less than half a millimetre so you're aiming for a ball park figure!

Metal

Selecting the leading metal colour is the best starting point. What do they wear most of? Normally this is as simple as Gold or Silver but a more modern or eclectic choice, which is on the rise is Rose Gold; a copper tone that is warm on the skin without the bling of some of its yellow gold competitors. If Silver is your answer then you can consider Silver, White Gold, Platinum or Palladium.

I would not recommend Tungsten or Titanium. These have seen an uprising in the market due to the fact they are considered non-scratch and significantly cheaper than other metals. The downside is they will scratch other materials. A tea lover I know was pretty miffed when he discovered the damage he was doing to the cups! They are also brittle and can crack or shatter if a weak point is created. If one gets stuck on your finger you either have to find a way to create weak point so it will shatter or the emergency surfaces will need to cut it on two sides to remove it.

Stones

The classic diamond isn't for everyone and was actually only made popular due to a very successful slogan campaign by De Beers diamonds in the 1940's. Prior to that it was a case of anything goes, a tradition we are slowly returning to.

Another consideration is the price and questionable ethics of diamonds. As a meaningful alternative you may want to look at your partners birth stone, or the birth stone of the month you are proposing.

The Four C's

If you do choose to go the route of a diamond try not to get overwhelmed by the 4 C's aka Jewellers buzzwords!

Carat; the size of the stone but it's worth noting that 1 carat does not mean it's twice the size of 1/2 carat! Also a smaller stone with a higher grade of colour and clarity will normally look larger as it will reflect light better.

Colour; colour grading starts from D up and is where the diamonds colour sits from white to a dirty yellow. Don't think you have to get a grade D for it to look clean, H coloured diamonds are still considered colourless to the naked eye.

Clarity; this is how many 'bits' are in it. Diamonds are a natural stone and have natural flaws. These range from Flawless (FL) to Included (I1, I2, I3). As a good starting point aim for VVS and VS (Very Very Small inclusions and Very Small inclusions). You should be hard pushed to see these inclusions with a naked eye.

Cut; this is the shape the stone is cut to. The most traditional engagement ring diamond shape is a Round Brilliant diamond, think a Tiffany single stone piece. For a more vintage look try exploring Cushion, Asscher or Emerald cuts. If you're after something more modern Pear, Trillion or Marquise are an excellent choice.

Buy Second Hand or Vintage?

It always baffles me that many buyers will consider a vintage ring but not a second hand one. In todays market the word vintage has commonly replaced second hand.

Buying Vintage or Second hand can be an excellent option if you are looking to get more for your budget.

There are lots of areas notorious for second hand pieces; Brighton The Lanes, Hatton Gardens London and The Victoria quarter in Leeds.

Make sure the jeweller is reputable and double check the inside of the ring for hallmark stamps. Where possible pay on credit card so you have some insurance.

If you're feeling brave, and are working through all Ebay has to offer, stick to a UK base and one that comes with a certificate of authenticity. Once the ring arrives take it to a reputable jeweller to confirm you've got what you paid for. If not contact the seller and Ebay.

The Wedding Band

When choosing the engagement ring ask to see a wedding band next to it. As a simple rule go for a band the same width or slimmer than the ring. This will also highlight if you'll be able to do a straight wedding band, a curved band or if you'll need to have something custom made.

On another note it also naturally leads itself to the conversation of purchasing the wedding rings; some jewellers will offer a discount if the engagement ring or rings were also bought from them!

Ask their friends

It's amazing how many of us think we know what our partner would like in an engagement ring but what they actually have their heart set on may surprise you. A lady who had the most eclectic collection of quirky, oversized, bright rings had always had her heart set on a understated Halo set sapphire for her engagement ring. Likewise, when I proposed to my husband I had no idea what he would want, he doesn't wear jewellery. I opted for a plain Platinum band and made sure I could return it!

Don't Panic - The Golden Rule

The most important thing is the proposal itself. Buying the ring should be an enjoyable experience so don't rush it or feel pressured into making a purchase.

Remember jewellers are there to help you; you can always ask them to hold a piece for an hour or two while you catch your breath.