Cracking the Code of Engagement Ring Shopping: A Guy's Guide to Navigating the Bling Jungle

By: WC Editorial Team Read Time: 3 mins Engagement Rings

October 27, 2023

Cracking the Code of Engagement Ring Shopping: A Guy's Guide to Navigating the Bling Jungle

Meet Jay. He’s giddy with excitement because he’s headed to a jewelry store to shop for an engagement ring. Jay strolls into a brightly lit store that’s packed with jewelry cases and sparkling jewels. His giddiness turns to anxiousness, and then he’s approached by a salesperson. Jay mentions that he’s shopping for an engagement ring, and is immediately grilled with questions about what type of ring, cut of diamond, color of metal. Jay realizes that he’s not as prepared for shopping as he should be. If Jay had read this article, he would’ve been prepared like you’ll be to select the engagement ring of your loved one’s dreams. Don’t worry, we’ve got you!

Know Her Style

The first step is pretty easy–get to know your loved one’s style and make some notes. Observe what style of jewelry she wears the most–mostly minimalist or more extravagant? Or maybe somewhere in the middle. See what type of metal and diamond shape she wears the most. You can also ask friends and family for hints if you want some additional help. You can also look at where she stores jewelry for some hints.

Budgeting with a Twist

The next step is to set your ring budget. This is a personal decision and will depend upon your financial situation and how much you want to spend on the ring. You can find gorgeous rings at all price points! If you’re planning ahead and have time and the means to do so, set aside a certain amount of money each week to go toward the ring. Consider making some budget cuts in order to save for the ring. Skip weekly pizza or a daily coffee and save that money for a very important purchase. If you’re looking to save some money, consider purchasing a lab grown diamond engagement ring. They are real diamonds that are made in a lab but have the fire and brilliance of a mined diamond.

The 4 Cs - Simplified

The 4Cs are important when picking a center stone for an engagement ring. Diamond quality is measured using Cut, Carat, Clarity, and Color. Here’s a simple breakdown of each:

Cut: Shape and the secret sauce for maximum sparkle.
Carat: How big is it? The size of the diamond.
Clarity: Natural treasures within the diamond (aka inclusions).
Color. How colorless is the diamond?

Ring Size Matters

You’ll need to figure out the ring size. If you don’t know what it is, there are some sneaky ways to find it out. Think you’ll try any of these?

Measure another ring that fits the same finger: Take one of your loved one’s other rings and compare it to a ring size chart to find the approximate fit.
Use string or dental floss: Take a piece of string or floss and wrap it around your loved one’s finger (but not too tight) while they’re sleeping (good luck!). Mark the place where the string or floss meets and measure against a ring size chart to get the approximate size.
Head into a local jewelry store: This one is harder to do in a sneaky way, but maybe you can happen to walk by a jewelry store while you’re guessing each other’s ring sizes and you both go in to see who guessed closer. You can make it into something fun so that it’s not so obvious.
Ask friends and family: Maybe a family member or friend has given them jewelry in the past and happens to know their ring size. Can’t hurt to ask!

Getting a Second Opinion

When choosing a ring, a second opinion is extremely helpful. Either help from friends or family would help, and a jeweler is even better. Gemologists, such as those at With Clarity, can help you through the process, answer any questions, and ensure you get a ring you’re thrilled about. Some couples choose to pick out rings together or custom design their engagement ring. With Clarity also has a Home Preview program where you select three rings that you want to try on. They create 3D printed replica rings that look and feel just like the real thing, and deliver them straight to your home — for free. Try them on, take them for a “test drive,” and ship them back.

Customization Ideas

These days you have plenty of customization options for women’s engagement rings. While this provides plenty of choices, it also ensures that your ring is customized for you and will look unique. With Clarity lets you select the setting, the metal, total carat weight of the setting, and the center stone. Selecting these details ensures your ring looks gorgeous and represents your loved one. You can even have a custom message engraved on the inside of the band. Or if you’re feeling a bit artistic or inspired, With Clarity also helps to bring those dream rings to life – so send in an image, sketch or a link of the design you want. You can then work closely with their designers and gemologists to make your ring, your way.

Wrap-Up

Selecting an engagement ring and planning a proposal is exciting! It’s a big moment in your life and one that you’ll never forget. You have gemologists available to help guide you through the process and there are plenty of online resources as well. While it might seem overwhelming, you can just focus on one step at a time. Let’s do a quick recap of the process: