10 Tips for Engagement Ring Shopping

Are you ready to go ring shopping? Congratulations! Congratulations!

This guide will help you find the perfect engagement ring, whether you are shopping together or going it alone.

1. Find the right shape for you

Knowing what your partner wants in terms diamond shape will help you focus the engagement ring hunt greatly. Each cut (also called a cut) has a different cost and a different price per karat. Pear and marquise cuts are more expensive than round cuts. You can get more carats for a lower price if you choose a different shape than the traditional round cut. Be sure to research ring cuts before you go out looking for an engagement ring.

2. Select a metal for the band

Traditional engagement rings and wedding bands are made of yellow, white, silver or platinum. However, rose gold has been gaining popularity in recent years. Although platinum looks very similar to silver, it is much more expensive because of its higher density and rarer nature. Some metals scratch more easily than others. Before deciding on how important a factor metal is, consider your lifestyle and budget.

Also, think about whether you would like stones to be set in your band(s).

3. Keep a Carat Size in Your Mind

It is a matter of quality versus quantity that rings are concerned with. Some people prefer larger stones to whiter ones, while others desire the clearest diamond possible, regardless of its carat count. Jaclyne Kirorian, New York’s Jupiter Jewelry, says that the spouse-to be should have an idea about her or his stone size. Although people may say that size doesn’t matter, it is important because color and clarity can be adjusted to make the item within your budget.

Keep an open mind. While your significant other may think that they know what size or shape they prefer, trying on rings might reveal they are looking for something completely different. It’s always possible to find something entirely new once you actually see it on your finger. A smaller carat weight can help you save significant money. The most desirable weights are the ones that increase diamond prices. Consider half- and full-carat weights (.50 to 1, 1.5 to etc.). Emily Duke, Finesse Diamonds Corp. says that if a diamond is less than these common weights, it will save you money. No one will be able tell the difference.

4. Take the time to measure correctly

Although it may seem obvious, make sure you measure your ring fingers. A ring that cuts off circulation is not a good idea. Or worse, if it’s too loose, it could cause problems with your circulation. The ring should be snug, but not too tight. You can get sized together at a jewelry shop, or tell your best friend so they know what size to give you when you ask your partner.

5. Take a look at how your engagement ring will look with your wedding band

It is easy to get distracted by the search for the perfect diamond. However, the engagement ring only represents one-half (or less than half if you go the ring stack route). The other half of the equation, your wedding band, is often overlooked. It is the symbol of your marriage. Consider what type of wedding band you would like to match your ring. You may not be able to fit a wedding band flush against some engagement rings. It is important to look at the whole package of prongs versus channel-set stones and pave before you commit to a style.

6. Always buy certified

An engagement ring can be one of the most costly purchases in your life. Take your time and shop wisely. Make sure that you buy a certified stone from an accredited laboratory like the American Gem Society for Gemological Institute of America when you find your dream ring. Expert Ira Weissman, who created The Diamond Pro, warns that diamonds certified by other labs may have lower grades. This can give the customer the illusion of getting a better deal, but in fact they are receiving a lower quality. According to Weissman this is one of the most common tricks jewelry shops use.

7. Make sure the certificate matches the diamond

The majority of diamonds have laser engravings on the girdle. This can be checked using a jeweler’s loupe. Many have inclusions, so you can examine the diamond to see if the imperfections match the map on the certificate.

8. Make sure you are careful about the quality of your cut and clarity

Weissman suggests that you save big by buying the lowest-color diamond, which will still appear colorless to the naked eyes. This is the most common color for round diamonds made in white gold. It’s usually an I or J. He says that you can even get a K color in yellow gold. “The price difference between a J and D color is huge.” The same principle applies to clarity. He suggests that you choose the lowest clarity diamond, which is still visible to the naked eye. It will look identical to a flawless, assuming all other things are equal. The price difference between a flawless diamond and one with SI1 or SI2 clarity is significant.

Private jeweler Dan Moran, founder and CEO of Concierge Diamonds advises clients not to sacrifice the quality cut of the diamond. Why? It is the cut of the diamond which gives the diamond its stunning sparkle. It’s possible to make a beautiful rough diamond look stunning if you cut it right. If you take a top-of the-line rough diamond, and make it look terrible, it will look like garbage.”

9. Negotiate like a boss

Rosey West founder Michael Dobkin, creative director of Rosey West, says that engagement rings can be marked up far beyond what is necessary. Some rings can be marked up to 500 percent. Dobkin recommends that you do your research and negotiate. A good jeweler will work within your budget to get the best quality for you.

10. Go to the Wholesale District

Monil Kothari (founder of Antandre, a fine jewelry company in New York City), suggests another option: to work with wholesalers or non-traditional diamond retailers to avoid excessive markups. Kothari says, “A wholesaler or private retailer like me is able to work one-on-one with customers to create a custom ring for them.” We don’t have the overhead that traditional retailers have, so we can save them more then 30%, which gives them the most bang for their buck.