Mistakes to Avoid When Buying an Engagement Ring

So you’ve found your gal and you’re ready to pop the question. Here’s a primer on common mistakes that can ruin that picture-perfect proposal. Avoid these common blunders and chances are, you’ll hear a resounding ‘yes’ when you propose with that perfect ring.

Ring size – Proposing with an engagement ring of the wrong size is common. The safest bet is to get one of your fiancé’s rings measured for size or ask your jeweler about flexibility to re-size at a later date.

Style – You’re the man of her dreams. But picking an engagement ring that does not reflect her style is every woman’s nightmare come true. This is one piece of jewelry that she’ll wear, hopefully, for life. Research her jewelry preferences. Do her current jewelry choices reflect opulence or simplicity? Does she like yellow gold, white gold, or platinum? Peek into her social pages and observe her likes or comments.

Ring Story – Picking a ring with no story to tell, is well, not cool and not Facebook worthy! Picking a mass produced engagement ring rather than a custom design ring runs the risk of it looking too similar to the rings she’s seen over and over again. Gemstone rings with sapphires, rubies (or other gems) also make unique engagement rings for your one-of-a-kind girl.

Research – If you’re going for a diamond engagement ring, do your research! Most men think that bigger the diamond, better the statement it makes. Nothing can be further from the truth. Invest some time and get educated about diamonds and the 4 C’s of diamond quality.

Money matters – Most men spend three month’s salary on an engagement ring. Assuming you set aside 10% of salary to the ring fund, it will take up 2.5 years to save up enough on salary alone.Consider financing this purchase and research if your jeweler offers 0% financing or other flexible financing options.

Matching Wedding Ring – Women wear their wedding band below their engagement ring. Most men forget that. Before buying the engagement ring, also peek into possible matching wedding ring options.

Insurance – In a perfect world, a diamond is forever. In the real world, rings get lost, stolen, and damaged. Remember to insure it with a policy that will cover every hypothetical ring-threatening situation from theft to damage to accidentally losing it in the pool.

Conflict free diamonds – Buying an engagement ring not made with conflict free or ethically sourced diamonds announces ignorance about the issue of blood diamonds. Also you don’t want your new love to be founded on a symbol of violence.

Diamond certification – Always buy certified diamonds. A diamond certification from reputed diamond grading institutions like GIA, AGSL, IGI, and EGL establishes diamond quality that went through an unbiased professional examination.