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Most people who shop for engagement rings have never done so before, which can make it an overwhelming process. Stepping into a jewelry store and choosing a ring can seem like an intimidating task, even more so if you are attempting to do it alone to surprise your future fiancé. However, believe it or not, there is some rhyme and reason to choosing the perfect engagement rings and if you know how to work your way through the process it is a bit easier.
By recognizing that there are certain factors involved in choosing engagement rings and narrowing down your list of required features you can also narrow down your options making it easier to choose the perfect ring in the end. Choosing the perfect engagement ring is actually less about your budget and more about your personal preferences when it comes to a variety of factors such as grade, cut, metal, and shape. Here is a quick list of some of the most important factors that you will want to familiarize yourself with before you head into the jewelry shop to help make the process a bit easier.
Choose the Right Shape
First of all, you need to think about what shape your fiancé wants. Knowing this one tidbit of information can help tremendously when it actually comes time to look at rings. The classic round cut is a favorite, but there are other shapes like the marquise and pear which happen to be less expensive than the round cut. Therefore, by choosing a non-traditional shape you may be able to get more carats while paying less which makes the shape a very important factor in your budget as well. It’s best to have one or two shapes in mind while shopping for engagement rings so you have some options and can play around with options that match your budget.
Think About a Carat Goal
On the subject of carats, it can also be helpful to approach engagement ring shopping with a set carat goal in mind. Everyone has a different preference when it comes to carat and your personal view will play a large role in determining which diamond is going to be the right fit for you. Some people care about the clarity of the diamond compared to the size of the stone and therefore will take a smaller stone over a larger stone.
Other people only care about size, and will happily take a somewhat hazier stone if it means that they get a bigger rock on their finger. Knowing what your bride prefers upfront will help offer some direction as well. Although almost any modest person will say that size doesn’t matter, when it comes to engagement rings girls do usually have clear preferences and you can usually tweak the clarity and color a bit to get closer to the size that your fiancé wants if you know what you are shooting for in advance.
Choose a Metal
Of course, the diamond is not the only thing you should be thinking about when it comes to choosing the right engagement ring in Highlands Ranch, CO. You also need to consider the metal that the diamond will sit on. While the metal band almost seems like an afterthought, it is not as most women have very strong preferences when it comes to metal and jewelry. Some women exclusively wear silver while others prefer gold or platinum. Over the last decade rose gold has also become a very popular choice for many women who want something slightly less traditional but still ornate.
To get a better idea of what metal your bride may want, take a peek in her jewelry box when you get the chance or simply start paying attention to what she wears on a daily basis. Usually, their accessory choices will give them away as most women do not mix metals, but have a clear preference. If you still aren’t sure, pay attention to any fashion rings she may wear for some inspiration and a big clue to her personal preferences.
Obtain Her Ring Size
While you are peaking into her jewelry box, try to get her ring size to help ensure you get the right fit the first time around. While it is not uncommon for people to have to come to get their rings resized because the measurement was off at the proposal, every bride hopes to wear her ring for at least a few hours happily after the proposal. If your guess is way off this won’t be possible, so aim to get a close if not exact measurement if you can. If you can manage to slip a ring out of the box and take it with you so that a jeweler can measure it that is ideal, but if not you can wrap a string around the loop and cut it to match. Take the string with you and then it can be measured to find the exact fit.
Coordinate with the Wedding Band
Finally, while choosing engagement rings it is important to consider your wedding band design if you want the two to match. Granted, this can be difficult if you are shopping without your intended spouse, but if you think that they would want a matching set choosing a ring that has the option to go with a wedding band is always a safe option. A lot of engagement rings are sold as duos, so inquire if you can simply purchase the first with the option to come back for the second if your fiancé says yes.
Ready to shop for engagement rings in Highlands Ranch, CO? Matheu’s Fine Watches & Jewelry is a local jewelry store with dozens of engagement rings for you to choose from for this amazing time in life. Our experienced jewelers are happy to offer personal advice and walk you through the process so you leave with the perfect ring in hand.
