Whether you consider yourself a seasoned pro or you’ve never bought a piece of jewelry in your life, you're bound to have a lot of questions during the engagement ring shopping experience. Buying an engagement ring is a wonderful celebration of love, but it can also be a bit intimidating. It’s especially challenging if you want to surprise your significant other with the ring of their dreams. Thankfully we’ve prepared this engagement ring guide to give you the insight you need to make an educated decision.  

In this article, we will answer some of the most common questions we get from engagement ring shoppers. This article will give you the information you need to make that big decision with confidence. 

Forget Antiquated ‘Engagement Ring Rules’

While some traditions are worth holding onto, our next piece of advice is to throw out the antiquated ‘3 months salary rule’. In the past it was said that someone should spend at least three months' salary on an engagement ring. Today that’s just not the best way to measure your love, or ring quality.

In fact there’s no shame in getting a great piece of quality jewelry on a modest budget. And it’s not excessive to spend a bit more on the most important piece of jewelry you’ll ever buy. Just make sure whatever your spending fits your budget appropriately. 

Can Couples Go Shopping for Engagement Rings Together?

Speaking of antiquated rules: Couples CAN go ring shopping together. In fact, most jewelers encourage it as the best way to guarantee your partner gets something they love. It’s a romantic notion to get a ring for your partner and deliver it to them, without them suspecting your grand gesture, but it’s not always the most practical thing.

It makes plenty of sense that this decision would be made together. After all, an engagement ring is in many ways the beginning of your marriage. Marriage is all about collaborative decision-making. There's nothing wrong with this being the first in a lifetime of shared decisions.

Educate Yourself About Diamond Quality

Before shopping for your wedding ring, make sure you know the Four C’s of diamond quality. Diamonds are graded on four qualities, color, cut, clarity, and carat size, also known as the Four C’s. Of course, these different aspects ultimately decide your diamond's value, but they also decide your diamond's presentation and overall look. 

Knowledge of the "4 Cs" is crucial when buying a diamond.

Color: Diamond color is graded on a letter scale. Colorless diamonds receive the highest grade of "D" while very visibly tinted diamonds receive the lowest grade of "Z."

Clarity: assesses inclusions or flaws within the diamond.

Cut: Apart from carat weight, cut has the biggest impact on your diamond's perceived size. Cut affects the diamond's sparkle, with well-cut diamonds reflecting more light. If a larger diamond isn't in your budget, consider a smaller diamond with excellent cut quality for maximum visual impact.

Carat Size: refers to the weight of the diamond, with each carat equaling 200 milligrams. Points can also be used to express carat weights, with each point equal to 1/100th of a carat.

Familiarize Yourself With an Engagement Ring Styles Chart

When picking your engagement ring style, there are three major factors to think about: the setting style, the center stone shape, and the band metal. It's a lot to consider, though, with so many styles out there. So, let's break it down and look at some popular choices in each category.

Setting Styles:

Solitaire settings have a single center stone, while halo settings surround the center stone with smaller diamonds. Vintage-inspired settings have an antique charm, and three-stone settings symbolize the past, present, and future. Bezel, pavé, and channel settings offer unique design variations.

Diamond Shapes:

You've got plenty of options for the center stone shape. The round brilliant cut is timeless, and the princess cut has a modern, square shape. Taller shapes like oval or emerald cuts can make fingers appear longer. And there are other popular shapes like cushion, pear, marquise, and heart cuts, each with their own appeal. There’s no better way to get an insight into these different styles than by referring to a handy style chart like the one below:

Band Types:

For the band, you can choose from metals like platinum, which is durable and has a white shine. Gold comes in yellow, white, and rose hues. White gold is popular, yellow gold gives a classic look, and rose gold adds a romantic touch that's been trendy lately.

You’ll notice a lot of different styles really need a picture to communicate the full depth of their cut. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, the most important thing is to choose a style that you love. There is no best style, but there are some styles that are more popular than others. To get the ideal diamond cut for you, there’s no better way than to try on a few at your local jewelry store. 

Budget for an Engagement Ring

So if you aren’t going to spend three months' salary on a ring, how much should you be spending? The answer is simple, but complicated, at the same time: build a budget that works for you. Ultimately, finding a healthy budget is up to you–after all, you know your own financial situation best. But, we can offer a few tips to get you started.

Creating a budget for an engagement ring is a smart move to ensure you find the perfect ring without breaking the bank. Start by analyzing your fixed expenses, like rent or mortgage, which remain consistent every month. Subtract these expenses from your income.

Then, look at variable expenses such as food and entertainment, where you have more control over spending. Identify areas where you can cut back and subtract that amount from your remaining budget. This will give you an estimate of how much you can save each month.

Average Price of Engagement Rings

On average, most engagement rings fall between $6,000 and $11,000, offering a wide range of options to suit different budgets. With careful planning and consistent savings, you'll be well on your way to finding a great ring that fits within your budget.

How to Find A Woman's Ring Size

Let’s say your partner has been pretty clear about what they want, but you still want the proposal and the ring to be a surprise. However, straight up asking their ring size would tip off you’re planning to pop the question. Thankfully, we’ve got the best tips for getting the ring size you need without giving away the surprise. 

The first step is getting access to their jewelry box. If you can fish out a ring they wear regularly, you can trace it and measure that against a printable ring size chart. Or, if you do get a chance, bring that ring into a jeweler for cleaning and they can tell you the exact size.

Friends and family are likely going to be a great resource too, as they can find out without giving you away. And while it’s definitely wise to get the right ring size from the get-go, don’t forget that your ring can always be resized.

Let Levy Jewelers Help You Choose the Right Ring

Buying an engagement ring is a significant milestone, and it's natural to feel overwhelmed by the multitude of choices and decisions. The best place to get an engagement ring is at a trusted local jeweler who can make the process exciting and enjoyable. 

If you live in the Savannah, Georgia or Jacksonville, Florida regions, you can always count on Levy Jewelers. Our knowledgeable experts will guide you through the selection process, ensuring you find the perfect ring for your future spouse. By entrusting the professionals at Levy Jewelers, you can celebrate this special moment with confidence, knowing that you're in good hands. You can also visit us online to browse our collection of diamond engagement rings.