Engagement Rings - Buying the Perfect Ring

Engagement rings are one of the most important pieces of jewellery that a man can buy in his lifetime. Not just a token of love, the engagement ring represents commitment and eternal love. The diamond has long been a symbol of permanence and as DeBeers so aptly suggests, diamonds are forever. For those shopping for diamond engagement rings, it is necessary to consider certain things.

Firstly the most important factor is budget. Try not to be governed by what you should spend. Try to work out a budget beforehand and stick to it. It is easy to be talked into spending more money, but be realistic. Try to set a from and to price and keep within this. This will allow you to instantly rule out any rings that are unsuitable based on price.

Next, consider the styles, tastes and jewellery that your girlfriend already has. She will no doubt express a preference to certain accessories, and if you have been listening, you will pick up on certain pearls of wisdom. She might prefer princess cut diamonds to round brilliant cuts. She might already wear white gold or platinum. She might prefer simple minimalist designs, rather than complex detail. These are all points for consideration.
Try to remember, the wedding ring will be a necessity some day. Many designs of engagement rings will allow a wedding ring to sit perfectly alongside. These styles will save you money by not having to have a specially shaped wedding ring to fit around the engagement ring at a later date. Such rings usually have a setting that is lifted slightly away from the finger at the base, allowing the flush fit of a wedding ring.

When it comes to the ring, if you are considering a diamond solitaire, it is worth remembering that most of your budget will go into the diamond itself. Unless you choose a smaller diamond under 0.33cts set into Platinum, the diamond will be the greater proportion of the ring cost. To find the largest white diamond that is clear looking for your money, try to keep to I colour or above and SI1 clarity. Below this, the stone may take on a hint of yellow and marks may be seen. It is down to personal preference though and some lower colour diamonds are attractive in their own right. The price will also reflect this.

When it comes to ring size, it is often difficult to find this out. Especially in the case of a surprise. Maybe your girlfriend has a ring worn on the third finger that you can have sized. Checking the internal diameter of this will give you a very good idea of the size. It is not the end of the world if you get this wrong. Most rings can be adjusted for size at a later date if necessary. It is possible to get hold of a re-usable ring size, often given away free by some jewellers. For this you will need her finger. If however her ring fits one of yours, you can always use the sizer on that part of your finger to check the size.

Remember some of these points, and it might make things a little easier when shopping for engagement rings. For further advice, ask a jeweler. They will be happy to offer their advice at no cost and you will no doubt gain some valuable information.