You’ve spent hours (OK, weeks) mining Pinterest for engagement-ring inspiration—your secret pin board is practically overflowing. But shopping for the ring itself is a whole different beast. Here are five things to think about when you’re ready to pull the trigger and start shopping for your forever bling.
weddings
Sponsored
5 Things to Think About When You’re Shopping for an Engagement Ring
•
Published Mar 8, 2017
Do You Know The Difference Between Cut And Shape?
While they might sound like the same thing, these two qualities are drastically different. The shape of the ring is exactly what it sounds like—oval, round, diamond, emerald, pear, etc. But the cut is part of the 4Cs (cut, color, clarity, carat) and relates to the size and angle of the bevels, which bring out the stone’s color and sparkle. It’s arguably one of the most important things to pay attention to, because even the most perfect diamond will look dull if it’s not well cut.
Is Your Budget As Big As The Ring You Want?
If you want a big ring but don’t necessarily have the budget to match, think about buying shy. It means buying a stone that’s just shy of your ideal carat size (say, 0.8 carats instead of one). This tactic can save you nearly 20 percent without sacrificing the overall look. And there are ways to make the ring appear bigger as a whole, like adding a halo around the center stone, using slender prongs or choosing a fancy shape (an oval diamond will have a greater surface area than a round diamond with the same carat weight).
Forevermark
How Much Do You Use Your Hands?
You’re the type of girl who wants a gorgeous engagement ring that’ll never leave your finger. But you’re also the type of girl who loves whipping up elaborate dinners every night (meaning your hands are constantly in hot, soapy water for cleanup). It’s important to choose a ring that fits your day-to-day. Forevermark has rings that are wearable and beautiful (because, hey, we don’t want to be totally unromantic here). They have everything from stunning four-prong solitaires that won’t budge to halo rings in pavé settings dusted with delicate stones, so finding your perfect dream ring is a piece of (wedding) cake.
What’s Your Ring Size?
This might seem obvious, but a lot of people will estimate a ring size and assume the piece can be resized later if it doesn’t fit. This can be done in some cases, but it’s a risky practice since many custom or delicate rings don’t have much wiggle room to be stretched. Plus, you’re going to want to rock that bad boy right away.
Is This…worth It?
Get your ring insured. It’s definitely the least sexy part of buying an engagement ring, but you should treat it like any other major purchase and protect it. Many jewelers offer an insurance policy, but the ring can also be added to the value of your home or renter’s insurance. The average cost is usually about one to two dollars for every $100 of what it would cost to replace, so insurance for a $5,000 ring would set you back only about $50 to $100 a year.
