Approximately half of all American adults are married, and if you are considering joining this statistic then you most likely have been thinking about shopping for engagement rings. While this can seem like a daunting task it doesn’t have to be. To help make the search for the perfect ring easier, here are four questions to ask before making a selection.
1. What is the Budget?
First and foremost you need to know how much you can spend before checking out any jewelry stores. While an engagement ring is an important investment, possibly even one that could end up being passed down through generations, it’s important that you don’t throw yourself into debt over it. However, some jewelry stores have financing options, if you want a more expensive ring but don’t want to or can’t pay everything upfront. While this is a valuable option to consider, you should also keep in mind what is most important to you and your future spouse. Although a large ring is great, saving money to invest in your future home or even on your honeymoon can be something to seriously consider as well.
2. What Does Your Spouse Need and Want?
Once you have your budget nailed down, you next need to consider what is best for your spouse. While jewelry stores often have a vast selection, not all of them will be the best for you. Consider their personal style based on what they wear on a regular basis, as well as the type of job they have. If your future spouse has a very hands-on job, for instance, you’ll want a ring that can stand up to wear and tear. You should also consider when you plan on purposing since rings can take weeks to prepare, especially if you’re having it customized. You don’t want to plan on purposing on a specific special occasion only to end up missing your target because you waited too long to pick the ring you want.
3. What is their Size?
Nothing is worse than getting to a jewelry store only to realize you have no idea what your partner’s ring size is. Most people don’t even know what their own size is, let alone someone else’s. Fortunately, there are a few ways to learn this.
If your partner wears rings regularly, be a bit sneaky and go through their collection while they’re away. Place the ring on your own finger and mark how far it goes. You can use this mark to then have a jeweler find a ring that fits that line. Similarly, if the ring you need is bigger than your fingers, you can use a pencil on a sheet of paper to outline the inside and then use that to match sizes. Additionally, you can also use a printed out ring sizing guide to match at home if you have the time to do so without getting caught. Just be sure to hide the print out once you’re done!
4. Will It Need Protection and Maintenance?
Once you’ve found a ring that you like, consider if it will need maintenance and protection in the future. Some jewelry stores will offer insurance on rings to help protect the stones in case something happens. Similarly, you might be able to have it covered under your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. Additionally, since engagement rings tend to be worn daily, you should also consider where you can take it to have it properly cleaned and maintained. Most jewelers recommend having a cleaning once every six months, however, once a year will do just fine as well.
Taking the Plunge
Once you have all of these questions answered and you’ve selected the best ring for your partner, the only thing left to do it pop the question. Speaking of questions, if you have any or any concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to your jeweler at any time. Whether you’re still in the process of browsing or have already selected a ring, you can always count on their professional knowledge to help you better understand any facet of this process.