Avoid getting your bride-to-be a ring she doesn’t like, and make sure you’re not conned into buying a worthless engagement ring by doing the eight things on this list.

• Find Out What Ring Your Fiancé Wants

The most important thing about an engagement ring is that your future wife loves it! It could be a ring from a Cracker Jack box, or a flawless red diamond worth millions, but if it’s not to your girlfriend’s taste, then it’s not a good engagement ring. You could ask her outright. But if you’re planning on a surprise proposal you can ask her best friend or her mother. 

Specifically, try to find out: 

• The type of metal she would prefer for the band – platinum, silver, yellow gold, white gold, or rose gold.
• The type of gemstone she would prefer (it’s usually a diamond but it could be a sapphire, ruby, or any other kind of gem).
• The shape of the central stone – would she prefer a round stone, square stone, or cushion cut? There is also tear, heart, pear, marquise, radiant, asscher, emerald, and oval!
• The type of setting she would like – solitaire (one big rock), three stones (a large central stone flanked by two smaller stones), halo (a central stone surrounded by a circle of small stones, or a prong setting where “prongs” of the metal lean up towards the diamond. There is also a pave setting, channel, bezel, vintage, or split shank setting! Yes, there are a lot, but your future wife will have a good idea of which one she wants.
• What’s her ring size – obvious, jet often forgotten. If you can get hold of one of her existing rings take it with you to the jeweler.

 

• Decide Your Budget

Although you’ll be going into the jewelry store with an open mind, it is always a good idea to know your budget. There is a long list of wedding expenses in your future, so don’t blow all your cash on the engagement ring. There used to be a tradition of spending 2-3 months’ salary on the ring. But really that is a myth, and the right ring budget is the one that suits your pocket.  

• Choose a Good Jeweler 

Do your homework when it comes to choosing a jeweler. If a jeweler can provide a certificate from the American Gem Society, the Gemological Institute of America, or The European Gemological Laboratory, then he’s legit. You can also look up your jeweler in the list of professional jewelers in the GIA Alumni Association online directory. But the first thing you’ll probably do is ask a friend for recommendations, and that’s a good idea. Ask around, read online reviews, and check out the jewelry store to see if it looks professional and carries a good range of rings. 

• Weigh Up Your Options

This point ties in closely with your budget. Start with the ring your fiance actually wants. Then see if any cheaper options are almost identical. For example, you can sometimes reduce the price of an engagement ring considerably just by opting for a diamond half a carat less. Consider an alternative to a natural diamond, such as lab-grown diamonds, faux diamonds, or gemstones like sapphires, or rubies. But if that will get you sleeping on the couch, you could also shop around for a secondhand ring, or see if there is a family heirloom ring you could use. If you decide not to buy a new ring from a reputable jeweler, get it appraised. You’ll need the appraisal for jewelry insurance.   

• Are There Any Dos and Don’ts For Your Future Wife’s Ring 

Apart from your future bride’s personal preference, are there any other things that could determine the choice of ring? For example, if your fiancé works with her hands, she will need a ring without a diamond that protrudes too much and could get damaged. If she is allergic to any type of metal you need to know about that before going ring shopping. And if she comes from a culture with any particular superstitions or traditions about engagement rings you need to know about those. For example, in some Indian traditions the groom’s family presents the bride-to-be with the ring, and in other traditions, both the bride and groom get engagement rings.

• Things to Ask Your Jeweler

You need to ask your jeweler about the quality of the ring such as the diamond’s clarity, cut, color, and carat. But also ask:

• Does the gem have a grading report?
• What are the qualities of the metal band?
• Could the ring be customized or modified if the bride-to-be wishes to make changes?
• What are the payment options?
• Is there a warranty?
• Will you provide an official appraisal?
• Is it in stock or when will the ring be ready?
• If your fiancé doesn’t like the ring, could you get a refund?
• Get Engagement Ring Insurance

Often overlooked, but perhaps the most important thing when buying an engagement ring – get it insured immediately! If the ring is uninsured and something happens to it, your money and the ring will be lost forever. But if you insure the engagement ring as soon as you’ve purchased it (and add your fiancé as a co-owner), then it is protected from the risk of theft, loss, and damage.