Are you ready to pop the biggest question of your life yet? If so, you are in the right place on the internet.
Truthfully, an engagement ring is not a requirement when you decide to ask your significant other for their hands in marriage. However, it symbolizes the couple’s willingness to tie the knot and be committed to each other until their last breath.
If you are shopping for an engagement ring right now, stop. There are essential things that you should know before making that big purchase. We are here to give those details and help you choose the best one for when you propose.
Some couples opt to forgo having two rings and treat one as their engagement and wedding ring at the same time. However, the engagement ring symbolizes the couple’s upcoming wedding. It comes in handy when others try to make a move on your significant other. They can show the ring and say they are about to get married soon.
In terms of style, engagement rings are commonly flashier and grand. On the other hand, wedding rings tend to be simple yet classy because they are supposed to get worn every day.
Things You Need to Know When Choosing a Ring
According to portofinojewelry.com, when choosing the engagement ring you’ll propose with, consider these factors to ensure that you get the best value for your money:
Engagement rings’ stones come in different shapes and sizes, so to not get confused when you enter a store, know about their different shapes.
The most common cuts are oval, princess, pillow or cushion (square or rectangular with smooth edges), and round. If you want to go for more eccentric shapes, these are your options:
- Marquise – It is oblong and narrow with pointed edges.
- Emerald – It is rectangular with unique edges that reflect light differently.
- Ascher – Its edges are similar to emerald, but the base is square and produces step-like facets.
- Radiant – It is rectangular with cropped corners and aligned sides.
- Heart – It is usually made to order and popular with young couples.
Setting is a common term for people in the jewelry-making industry. It refers to how the stones get mounted on the ring’s band. Like stones, it also has different positioning, and here are some of them:
- Channel Setting – It refers to positioning smaller gemstones around the edges of the ring band.
- Halo Setting – It refers to how the smaller gemstones get mounted around the bigger stone. They create a halo-like shape by surrounding the central stone.
- Split Shank Setting – This setting refers to how the band slits as it reaches the top-middle section of the ring where the main gemstone gets mounted. It appears that the ring has two bands holding the center stone.
- Flush Setting – This setting is the most modern-looking type of engagement ring. Holes get drilled into the band to place the pieces of gemstones. Men who want to wear engagement rings opt for this style.
- Bezel Set – At first glance, the bezel setting looks similar to a halo, but the difference is that the center stone gets enclosed on all sides by metal. It protects it from getting loose.
When choosing a diamond to put on the center of the ring band, look at the stone up close. Inspect it from all sides because there might be some internal and external blemishes from heat exposure. The rule of thumb here is the clearer the diamond, the more expensive it gets.
Honestly, there is no cheap engagement ring. If you plan to propose to your significant other with it, you must be prepared for the cost of one because even the most modest in the store can still cost you hundreds.
Ensure to shop within your budget and research alternatives to your chosen gemstone. For example, there are various kinds of diamonds, and their prices depend on the cut, production, and clarity.
A ring wouldn’t be complete without its band.
It is crucial that you know the exact ring size of your significant other when you choose the ring. If it is too big, the chances of slipping out of your partner’s finger are high. It will save you from coming back to the store to have it resized. Plus, when you reconstruct the band, it can change the design or setting of the stones.
When asking your significant other for their hand in marriage, you must prepare to choose the engagement ring you’ll use in proposing. Remember that it doesn’t have to be too expensive, but it should reflect how well you know your partner. There are numerous designs, gemstones, band types, and colors you can play around with. Ensure you capture the personality and preferences of your partner to get that sweet yes.
