Your Ultimate Engagement Ring Handbook: Expert Advice for Selecting the One

You get down on one knee, open the ring box, see the shock on your girlfriend's face, and hear her gasp at the stunning, sparkling engagement ring. You want her to be delighted and have her jaw drop, and the way to do that is to find the perfect engagement ring. We've compiled a guide to help you do that by gathering all the style considerations, personal preferences, and engagement ring options you need to make the best-informed decision.

Understand Your Partner's Style

The first step is all you - you'll want to pay close attention to the jewelry your partner wears. Observe what style of jewelry she wears most often - is it classic, vintage, modern, or minimalist? If you can discreetly look at her jewelry collection, that might also help. You can also weave it into a conversation as long as you don't think it would spoil the surprise. Listen carefully to see if she gives any clues about jewelry styles.

Know the Basics of Ring Styles

Next, it's time to learn about ring styles so that you can see what design she'd prefer. Some terms to know are:

• Solitaire: Solitaire engagement rings are a popular, classic style that features a single diamond ring on a metal band. Some solitaires have diamond bands, but the focus is on the center stone.
• Halo: Halo engagement rings have a ring of diamonds that surround the center stone. You'll see halos surrounding all sorts of different diamond cuts. Look at this halo cathedral engagement ring as an example.
• Three-stone: Three-stone engagement rings have a larger center stone accompanied by two smaller side stones. You can mix and match diamond shapes or keep them consistent. The three stones symbolize the past, present, and future.

Learn About the 4 Cs of Diamonds

The next topic you'll want to explore is diamond quality, which is graded using the 4Cs (cut, color, clarity, and carat). Educating yourself about these factors will help you better understand diamond quality and can help ensure that you make an informed decision that you and your loved one adore. Understanding the 4Cs can also help you weigh the different quality factors and find the right diamond for your budget.

Set a Budget

Before you start browsing for rings and diamonds, it's good to set a realistic budget. If you have time, set money aside each month for a ring. If you plan to finance the ring, think about how much you could afford to pay each month for a ring without stretching your finances too much. Setting a budget can help narrow your options and make your shopping more efficient. Plus, you'll find something that's gorgeous and fits within your budget.

Choose the Right Metal

Along the same lines of understanding your loved one's style, knowing what metal they like the most is essential. Observe the jewelry they wear to see if they wear a variety of metals or focus on just one. Common engagement ring metals include white gold, yellow gold, and platinum. Platinum is rare, durable, dense, and hypoallergenic, but will also have a higher price tag. Yellow gold and white gold are both strong and durable, but more affordable. White gold and platinum both have silvery hues, while yellow gold has the classic bright gold that's always popular.

Ring Size Matters

Finding out your partner's ring size requires you to be stealthy. See if you can borrow one of your loved one's rings from the correct ring finger so you can size it. You can also ask friends and family to see if they know. If your love is a deep sleeper, you can always try to measure her finger with string while she's sleeping.

Consider Lifestyle and Practicality

Consider your partner's lifestyle, career, and preferences to help you pick a setting. If she's more active, then a lower-profile setting might work better to avoid damaging it. Engagement rings are worn every day, so it's essential to have a setting that meshes with your lifestyle. It's also helpful to take her job into consideration. Some settings might be more suitable for work than others '' depending on the type of job. A chef might want a more subtle engagement ring than other careers because they're busy working with their hands.

Customization and Personalization

Unique details like engraving will make your engagement room even more special. It adds a personal touch and makes the ring even more sentimental. You can customize the metal of the setting and the center stone's size and weight to ensure you get a ring that fits your loved one's preferences. You also have the option to create a completely custom ring by submitting your sketch to With Clarity. You can also chat with someone at With Clarity and work together to design a custom ring.

Ethical Considerations

Consider a lab grown diamond if you're looking for a conflict-free, environmentally friendly diamond. More men and women are seeking conflict-free diamonds these days, and With Clarity has many lab diamonds you can browse so you can find one that fits your quality preferences and your budget.

Plan the Proposal

Once you've found the perfect ring, it's time to plan your proposal. You want the moment to be perfect, so carefully consider the right timing for the big moment. There are hundreds of ways to present the ring, but planning a proposal that reflects your loved one's style and personality is essential. You know your loved one well, and you'll be able to plan a fantastic proposal that will be the best surprise of her life.