How to choose the perfect engagement ring.

An engagement ring is a symbol of love, worn for years by many cultures as a promise for the future. It’s commonly worn in the left hand’s ring finger, as it is said to have a direct connection to the heart.

It‘s for this reason that more than a jewel, the engagement ring is a declaration of love that will last a lifetime. We will guide you step by step so that you can find the one that shows best your love for her. 

1. How much can I invest?

Before making the first visit to the jewelry store, the best you can do is define a budget. Being clear about how much you can invest will help you look through the options available and avoid choosing something that you cannot afford.

Think of this purchase as an investment. A ring is a jewel that can last forever and even be passed down from generation to generation.

Also do some research on the available forms of payment and financing, as they can allow you to spend a little more without negatively impacting your finances.

There are several factors that can affect a ring’s price, the good news is that with a little information and some guidance you can combine them to buy a piece that suits your tastes and your wallet.

2. It’s all in the details

Now that you know how much to spend, it's time to pay attention to details. Looking at the tastes and style of your partner will help you choose a design she’ll love. Pay attention to what jewelry she commonly wears so you can get an idea of her color and metal preferences.

Their personality traits will also help you go in the right direction. For example, if she usually wears simple and minimalist accessories, she may prefer a classic and discreet ring that goes with everything. On the other hand, extroverts often choose unique designs that make a statement.

You can also get some inspiration by browsing the available rings options, and maybe you’ll come across a design that fits her.

3. The stone

There are many gems that can be used as the centerpiece in an engagement ring, but with a diamond, there’ll be no room for mistakes.

It is the strongest mineral in the world, so it will last a lifetime. Besides, being the universal symbol of love; nothing expresses this beautiful feeling better than a diamond.

Now, do you know how to choose one?

The first thing you need to know is that each diamond has specific characteristics that can affect the way they are valued, known as the 4 C's; these determine its quality, beauty, and price. We explain how:

Carat

Carat (ct) is the unit of measurement used to determine the weight of a diamond. You can also refer to the carats using points:

For example:

1 carat = 100 points

0.30 carats = 30 points

Points are often used to refer to stones weighing less than 1 ct.

If the diamond has an ideal cut we could have a close guess to its size, however, it is not possible to determine its exact measurements based only on its carat weight; although it can be said that the greater its weight, the bigger the stone will be, as well as its value.

Clarity

Diamonds come from nature, so it is common for some of them to have impurities inside the crystal that were trapped during their formation process, these impurities are known as inclusions. The clearer a diamond is, the higher its value and quality.

The clarity is rated in:

• Flawless (F): It’s the purest grade, it does not have any type of imperfections (external) or impurities (internal) within the crystal.

• Internally Flawless (IF): It does not have internal impurities when observed with a 10x magnifying glass, but if imperfections (external) are noticed.

• Very Very Slightly Included (VVS1/VVS2): Very small impurities, difficult to observe even by a professional with a 10x magnifying glass. It’s divided into two subcategories VVS1 and VVS2, the first being more pure than the second.

• Very Slightly Included (VS1/VS2): Inclusions can be seen with a 10x magnifying glass, although very slight. Its use is common in jewelry due to its price - quality ratio.

• Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2): It has noticeable imperfections with a 10x magnifying glass. They are highly commercial in weights below 3 points.

• Included (I): It has imperfections and impurities visible with a 10x magnifying glass and sometimes even with the naked eye.

Our recommendation is to choose an eye-clean stone. Some inclusions are so small that they can only be seen with special instruments, these diamonds are usually more affordable than Flawless diamonds but they are still gorgeous.

Color

It’s graded for the absence of color. A diamond can be completely colorless or have light yellow tints. The former, are the most difficult to find and therefore the most expensive.

Color is graded from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow).

In the "Near Colorless" grades (G - J) it’s very difficult to distinguish color without proper training, choosing from these grades will allow you to adjust to budget without sacrificing the beauty of the gem.

Cut

It’s the only feature that evaluates the human intervention on a diamond. A rough diamond goes through a process of cutting and polishing. A stone with an ideal cut will be the one that manages to reflect the light more efficiently, that is, the one that sparkles the most.

They are rated in Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor. The cut adds beauty to the stone, so it’s suggested to choose between the Excellent and Good grades.

Remember that the important thing is how a diamond looks to the naked eye. You can combine the 4 c's to suit your budget. For more detailed information on the characteristics of diamond visit our education page.

4. Ring Size

It is the size at which you must buy the ring. There are different options that can help you get the size right:

• Ask her friends and family. A sister or friend may have shared accessories with her and have the same or similar size.

• Measuring one of her rings is another option. Look for one that she uses on the same hand and finger (left hand’s ring finger). Take the measurement of the internal diameter and compare it with the measurement guide.

If none of these alternatives is possible, you have the option of buying a standard size (6.5 in the US) and take it with her to adjust after she says the long-expected “Yes”. Consider that there are designs that do not allow later changes, check with the jeweler before making the purchase.

You can know more details about how to get the right ring size here.

Final Tips

• Personalize the ring with an inscription that means something to both of you. It can simply be your names or the year of engagement.

• If you choose diamonds, don't forget to ask for the certificate. In it, you will find the specific characteristics of the stone and its guarantee of quality.

You now have the basic knowledge to start your search, don’t forget that you can request advice to your jeweler at each step of the purchase. Best of luck!