The decision to start shopping for an engagement ring is a momentous one, after all, it’s a sign that you’re ready for the next stage of commitment with your loved one! Given the (almost) limitless options for engagement rings, it can feel a little overwhelming to shop for a ring, especially if you’re not sure where or what to look for when buying an engagement ring.
Here are seven important things to know before you go shopping for an engagement ring.
1. Custom engagement rings are the new standard
Gone are the days when all engagement rings were exclusively pre made and sold — most, if not all, professional jewellers now offer custom engagement rings. What this means for you as a buyer is that you have the freedom to design an engagement ring that truly reflects your love for your partner or one that perfectly matches their personality and preferences.
Of course, the opportunity for greater customisation also means that buyers have to do their own research to ensure that they end up with an engagement ring that their partner will love wearing for the rest of their lives.
2. The 4 Cs of buying a diamond
When it comes to choosing a diamond for the engagement ring, buyers should rely on the 4 Cs to guide their decision for the ideal stone based on their budget and preferences. If you’re not familiar with what the 4 Cs are, they are the key factors that diamond experts use to grade the quality of diamonds — namely carat, clarity, colour and cut.
3. No budget is too big or small
Traditional notions stating that an engagement ring should cost 2 or even 3 months’ worth of income are outdated. The modern truth is that custom diamond engagement rings can be designed fit any budget.
Lab-grown diamonds are the best example of a more affordable option for an engagement ring stone. Lab diamonds are chemically identical to natural diamonds, with the only difference being that they are created in a carefully curated environment that replicates the growing conditions in the earth. Man-made diamonds share the same stunning brilliance while being available for a fraction of the cost of a similar-grade mined diamond.
4. Explore different shapes and styles
Engagement rings can created from a variety of ring styles and shapes, allowing for thousands of unique possible combinations. From classic solitaires, vintage-inspired designs, and halo settings, to three-stone styles, and with gemstone shapes like round, princess, oval, emerald, or pear, the choices are nearly endless. It's up to you as a buyer to decide what looks best.
If you need help drilling down on the right size and style, expert recommendations from an experienced jeweller like GS Diamonds can go a long way in narrowing down what your partner might like.
5. Ring settings are just as important as gemstones
Ring settings refer to the way that the diamond (or your chosen stone) is showcased on the ring. The choice of ring setting can drastically change the way your gemstone shines and looks on the ring, but it’s often one of the most overlooked elements when buying an engagement ring (which is why we’ve listed this as a separate consideration).
The most common ring setting is the prong setting, where metal arms are clasped securely around the centre stone to hold it in place while allowing it to reflect light brilliantly. Other settings to consider are the bezel setting, which surrounds the stone with a metal rim, or the pavé setting, where small diamonds are set closely together along the band for added sparkle.
6. Rings can be resized
One of the most stressful parts of buying an engagement ring is getting the right ring size for your partner’s finger. You may already have a plan (or made an attempt) to measure the size of your partner’s finger in secret, whether it’s using string or with a proxy ring.
To provide some reassurance, you should know that most jewellers offer free resizing services for custom engagement rings in the event that your initial measurements weren’t accurate. This means that even if the engagement ring you ordered doesn’t fit perfectly on your partner's hand at first, it can always be resized by the same jeweller later without worrying about having to pay extra.
7. Size isn’t everything
The bigger the diamond, the more impressive the engagement ring will be, right?
In many cases, the most emphasised factor of a diamond is clarity, more specifically for the stone to be “eye-clean” (free from visible blemishes and inclusions when looked at with the naked eye).
The reason for this is that clarity affects the shine and brilliance of the diamond — a smaller “eye-clean” diamond can often be much more dazzling than a larger diamond with a muddy texture.
At GS Diamonds, we have a team of expert jewellers who can work with you to create the perfect custom engagement ring in Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane. View our curated collection of ring styles and diamond gemstones online or visit our stores to see them for yourself to get started on crafting an engagement ring for your proposal!
