For men planning to get engaged, questions about whether she’ll say yes, where to propose and what to say loom large. But perhaps the most nerve-wracking part of the engagement process is selecting the ring itself. Most men are pretty unfamiliar with jewelry, and selecting a ring that your girlfriend will wear and love for the rest of her life can seem like a daunting task. There’s no perfect engagement ring for everyone; instead, choosing an engagement ring is really about choosing the right ring for your girlfriend. The ring should fit in well with her taste and lifestyle, and should make it clear that you put lots of thought into the proposal. Here are 5 factors that can help you choose the perfect ring.
Lifestyle
Because your soon-to-be fiancee will wear the ring every day for the rest of her life, it’s important to select a ring that fits in well with her lifestyle. Rugged, outdoorsy types might prefer smaller, more durable rings made from heavy metals such as platinum or titanium. If your girlfriend is focused on her career, an elegant, classic ring that will not be a distraction to peers may be right. For glamorous, fashion-forward women, choose a timeless ring with a trendy, eye-catching flourish. Pear-shaped stones and pave settings are especially eye-catching.
Taste
Does your girlfriend always have to have the latest fashions, or does she tend to wear classic styles? Would she rather have something highly unique or something that will make her friends green with envy? For the image-conscious, big sparkly rings are often the best choice. Women with unique tastes frequently love vintage-inspired styles or rings with colored stones.
Stones
While a diamond has been the classic choice for engagement rings for generations, not all women want diamonds. Some women are concerned about the conditions under which diamonds are mined and might prefer diamond substitutes such as moissanite, white sapphires or even cubic zirconia. Other women would rather have diamonds that are certified conflict-free. Examine your girlfriend’s jewelry to determine her taste in stones. If you see lots of color, she might want a colored gemstone or diamond. Pink diamonds, sapphires, rubies and other nontraditional choices are increasingly popular.
Warranty
No matter how much effort you put into selecting a ring, there’s a chance your girlfriend may not like it. Ask the jeweler if you can return or exchange the ring if she doesn’t love it, and make sure your girlfriend knows she has the option to trade the ring in for a different one within a set period of time. Most good jewelers will give anywhere from 7 days to a month for a return or exchange.
All About Rings
If you’ve done your preliminary research and come up with a rough idea of what your girlfriend might want, it’s time to educate yourself about rings. The first thing to consider is the metal. Engagement rings generally come in yellow gold, white gold and platinum. Platinum is substantially more expensive but also more durable. Gold bands are typically between 14 and 18 karats. Higher-karat bands are typically too soft to hold up to the test of time.
You’ll probably hear jewelers talk about “The Three C’s” of cut, color and clarity. The cut of the ring is simply the shape of the stone or stones. Common cuts include the square-shaped princess, pear shape, round and cushion. The quality of the cut can affect the sparkle of the diamond, and different settings look best with different cuts. Clarity is the sparkle and clarity of the diamond. Diamonds with poor clarity may contain inclusions, which look like small scratches, while diamonds with good clarity will be unusually sparkly. Similarly, color characterizes the specific shade of the diamond. While diamonds can be purchased in a variety of colors, clear diamonds also come in a range of color grades, ranging from slightly yellow gray to crystal clear. Think carefully about which factors matter most to your fiancee and what she is likely to notice and prioritize, then choose the best diamond you can within your budget.