Tips For Buying An Engagement Ring

It has finally happened. You have found the right person, the one that you want to spend the rest of your life with! She is absolutely perfect for you. You are ready to ask her to marry you. 

But for one small detail. It is time to find the ring, and it has to be as perfect as she is. While you might have some idea of what you want to get her, there is a good chance that you have no idea. This is a big decision, and one that you shouldn't take lightly. 

Not sure where to start? Here are some tips for shopping for the perfect ring.

Have an idea about what you want to spend on a ring. Most jewelers recommend spending about the same as you make in two or three months. However, that may not be possible. You are the only one who can figure out how much money you can comfortably spend on a diamond. 

If she already wears a lot of jewelry, look at what she normally wears. Does she wear a lot of gold jewelry, or does she prefer white gold? Are her other rings simple or fancy? Does she like big stones or little ones? This can really help you determine where to start. 

Don't be afraid to ask for help. It never hurts to ask her mom, best friend, or someone that you trust to help you when you go shopping for the perfect ring. Even if they might not know much about her, it often helps to bring someone else along when you go shopping. Even better if it is someone that really loves her too! 

Be ready for an education! You aren't just going to walk into a store and pick the first ring that you see. You are going to need to learn several terms, like cut, clarity, and much more. Settings are also important. For this reason, you need to give yourself plenty of time to talk to the jeweler, so you can be absolutely sure that you buy the right ring. 

Because of this, you need to take your time. You are not going to walk into a store, pick a ring out, buy it, and be on your way. You may even have to visit a few stores until you find the right ring. Sometimes it helps to look at rings, walk away, and then come back another day to make the decision. 

You may want to find a ring with a matching wedding band. There are some engagement rings that have a wedding band that is made to fit together. You won't have to do this again when it comes time to buy the wedding band, because you already know that there is a matching one available. 

Don't be afraid to listen to her. Many women start hinting about rings when they realize that their relationship is getting serious. While this may be a subtle, she may be bold enough to leave magazine pictures open for you to see! 

You may even want to take her along. Some women are hard to please. Even though you are messing up the surprise, it might be better if you let her pick the ring she will wear for the rest of her life.

Buying an engagement ring is a big step, and it shouldn't be taken lightly. You are going to need to come up with a budget so that you know where to start. Then, it is time to go visit a few jewelers, so you can start your education. You may even want to bring your girlfriend along to make sure that she truly loves the ring that you pick. That being said, the surprise is also very exciting!

Previously published by Medium and/or Newsbreak.