6 Things To Consider While Shopping For An Engagement Ring January 23, 2016 – Posted in: Blog, Wedding Inspirations

Buying an engagement ring is surely one of the most romantic things that you will do for the girl of your dreams. She will spend an eternity looking at it; thinking of that special day when you proposed her, every time she looks at it. So the process of selecting an engagement band is a very emotional one. But as there are lots of other variables also to be considered, it is a practical decision as well. Things like your budget and her preferences, all have to be taken into consideration before making the decision.

Scared? Don’t be. We have put together a list of things that you need to consider while shopping for her engagement ring. We are sure that these simple tips will help you in making that perfect purchase of her dream ring.

1. Work out your budget before beginning

Yes, you have heard us right. Though it is an emotional decision, being sure about the budget will only help. You don’t want to get into a scenario where you would spend more than you could have to buy the ring, do you? If you ask us, even she wouldn’t prefer that. With a poorly planned purchase, you could even end up with the first big debt of your married life.

So it is a good practice to plan your budget even before looking at an engagement ring.

Ref: pinterest.com

2. Know her choice

Don’t buy a ring for engagement because you loved it. Though she won’t mention it, chances are that she might not like it. Rather take her choice and style into consideration. Yes, this would need focused effort. But trust us, the reward would be pleasing. Keep a track of what she wears, be it at work, home or social gatherings, and this should give you a fair idea of her personal style.

If you are still in doubt, consult a female friend (best friend) of hers.

Girls tend to talk about rings that they want to wear on their engagement among themselves and a bit of help from a female friend of hers can be the difference between an average ring and a ring that she loves.

3. Consider her lifestyle

Also, another thing to consider is her lifestyle, as the ring would be on her hand every day for a long period of time. If she uses her hands a lot at work, then choosing a ring design with an elevated diamond would not be a good choice. On the same lines, if she likes to get her hands dirty in the kitchen or garden, then a ring that is easy to clean would be a good choice.

4. Know the four Cs – Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat

If you are planning to buy a diamond ring, then you must know these four characteristics used to compare diamonds.
Cut – The cuts on the diamond would determine the sparkle and shape of the diamond. This is the most important characteristic.

Color– Jewellers grade colorless(white) diamonds with “D”, and these are considered as the best quality ones. Moving ahead, we have “E”, “F”, down till “Z”. And as we move down this scale towards “Z”, the colorless nature keeps on diminishing.

Clarity – Most diamonds have small “inclusions” from within. These are natural and can be seen only using a magnifying glass. As far as diamond clarity goes, the most expensive ones are IF (Internally flawless), but even SI1 (Slightly included) would be a decent pick. The worst is I3 (Imperfect 3) and should be avoided.

Carat – The weight of a diamond is measured by Carat. A carat equals 200 mg and the average size of most diamonds is between one carat and half carat.

Also: 10 Reasons Why You Should Prefer Personalized Ring Over Diamond Ring For Your Engagement

5. Seek Advice

Getting advice from someone(a friend) who has gone through the entire process is a good idea. You can avoid similar mistakes by following this simple step. You would even want to have that friend along while selecting the ring, as this will aid you in making better decisions.

6. Ring fingerprint

You should get the “fingerprint” of your ring on the bill of sale. The fingerprint would include the stone’s four Cs along with the cosmetic enhancements. It would also have other factors that affect its value, like whether it is hand-made or an antique piece or made by a famous designer.

PS: Buy online and Consider Personalisation

With the number of quality online jewellery stores on the rise, buying an engagement band online is a good idea. But make sure you go through the customer reviews as this will give you good insights on the ring. You would even want to talk to customer care in some cases to extract all the necessary information.
Personalizing the engagement ring is in fashion these days. Online stores like Augrav give you the option of customizing the ring to your needs. Small things like engraving your name inside the band or even your anniversary date would mean a lot to her. Other options include engraving your fingerprint or the quote of her choice; opt for one of these, and her love for you will surely increase every time she looks at the ring.