Your Dream Ring Awaits: A Guide to Engagement Ring Shopping
Finding the ideal engagement ring should be a joyous experience, whether you’re deciding as a couple or planning a surprise. Before you get down on one knee, there’s some important decisions to be made. Your ring choice is a symbol of your love and commitment which deserves careful consideration.
Whether you want to step into our showroom to explore a stunning selection of ready-made rings, or you’d rather book in for a private no-obligation consultation to design a bespoke ring that fits your vision perfectly, we can help. From metal choice, to style & gemstone preferences, every detail is yours to shape.
Follow our handy guide from our Jewellery Specialists, here at WJ Shaw Jewellers to lead you through this special journey…
- Establish a Budget
Before visiting any jewellery stores, it’s important to establish a realistic budget that works with your personal finances. Consider your monetary situation and savings to determine a spending range that’s comfortable. Starting with a budget will prevent stress from overspending later.
Some couples allot a specific percentage of their income or savings, like one to three month’s salary. Whatever you choose, once your budget is decided, you can then focus on finding the perfect ring!
- Getting the Ring Size Right
Getting your partner’s ring size right, can be a tricky business. If you’re shopping for a ring as a couple, simply ask us to help you with this measurement during the ring selection process.
However, if you're wanting to keep your proposal as a surprise, you may need to get creative with how you navigate this situation. Consider asking a friend or relative of your partner to help you get these details, or discreetly borrow a ring your partner already wears, so we can check it’s size.
Rest assured, once you have proposed, if the size of the ring is not quite right, we will accurately size your partner’s finger and provide a complimentary sizing adjustment- an essential service to take advantage of!
- Research Ring Styles
There are many different styles to consider when shopping for an engagement ring- would your partner prefer a classic solitaire, or would they like something a little different, for example a halo cluster, a three-stone, or a twisted band? Have a look at our online store wjshawjewellers.co.uk to explore our range of ready-made rings that embody your partner’s personality and sense of style. If you’re not sure what would suit, then why not discreetly ask trusted friends or family for insight.
There’s also the metal of the ring to think about; would they prefer platinum, or yellow, white, or rose gold? Take a look at the jewellery pieces they already own, do they stick to a particular hue, or do they have a mixture of metals?
If you can’t decide what metal type to select, then take into account your partner’s lifestyle. For example, although platinum and silver look similar in colour, platinum is a much denser and therefore more durable material, than softer metals like silver which scratch more easily.
Another thing to deliberate when choosing the style of engagement ring, is the style of wedding band would match it best. Some engagement rings and not ‘wedding ring friendly’ ie. they don’t allow a band to fit flush against them. As such it’s important to consider whether your partner might like a straight or shaped wedding band, before committing to an engagement ring style.
- Research the 4Cs of Diamonds
Finally, once you have a budget, style and metal in mind, you can then start to focus on the aesthetics you love. If you’re opting for a Diamond ring, understanding how the 4Cs impact a diamond’s quality and price, enables you to select the right stone for you. The 4Cs are:
Cut: Referring to the shape and quality of the cut of a stone and how it affects the overall sparkle and brilliance of the diamond. There are many different styles of cut, such as; Round, Princess & Pear to name but a few. Familiarize yourself with the different shapes and identify the cut of stone your partner would like, as that will make your experience a lot easier. It’s important to note that each cut is set at a different price point per carat. If you’re hoping to find a budget-friendly design, or a larger stone; choosing an alternative shape to the classic round brilliant cut is probably your best bet.
Carat: This refers to the weight measurement of your stone. The higher the carat, the larger the stone. Here at WJ Shaw Jewellers, we can get a number of diamonds of different qualities and carat weights for you to view, so you can compare, before selecting the right diamond/s for your ring.
Colour: Refers to the ‘D to Z’ Colour Grades that rate a diamond’s lack of colour. Colourless or Near-Colourless grades are most desirable, however lower colours still offer budget-friendly options.
Clarity: Refers to the natural internal flaws of a diamond. Slight imperfections not visible to the naked eye, don’t impact the beauty of a diamond. With this in mind, lower clarity grades sometimes offer cost savings.
Evaluating all of these factors and their influence on a diamond’s appearance and cost, means we can customize what works best for your priorities and preferences. Our advice is to view the stone/s in person, and here at WJ Shaw Jewellers, our on-site Diamond Grader and Gemmologist can guide you every step of the way to ensure you select the best quality stone for your budget.
Conclusion
The journey of engagement ring shopping warrants careful consideration and research to achieve successful, stress-free results. Establishing realistic budgets and expectations, investing time learning about diamonds and ring styles is key, but the most importantly thing is to enjoy immersing yourself in this exciting process, as you plan for an amazing future together. Let your personalities and passions shine through, to make your engagement ring a truly meaningful symbol of your one-of-a-kind bond.