On average, people date for around five years before getting married. In this time, they come to know their partner style pretty well. However, this doesn’t always make choosing engagement rings any less daunting. The good news is that you can usually narrow down your options by keeping in mind your partner’s preferences and their overall lifestyle. For instance, if your partner works with their hands a lot and isn’t into bold flashy rings, it may not be wise to buy the biggest boldest ring you can find. To help you get started, here are some factors to consider.
Selecting the Metal
Some of the most popular types of metals include platinum, 18k gold, and 14k gold. 18k gold is a popular choice and is comprised of 75% gold and 25% additional alloys. This prevents it from being as soft as 24k gold, making it more wearable overall. 14k gold, on the other hand, is often considered the best for everyday wear and it is comprised of 58.3% gold and 417% other alloys. While not as richly colored as 18k gold, it is the most moderate and common selection. Platinum, however, is by far the strongest and most durable of the metals. Rarer than gold, it’s also the most expensive option.
Consider how durable you need the ring to be, as well as what colors your partner favors. If they wear a lot of gold pieces and tend to favor warmer colors such as reds and oranges, going with gold would be the best way to complement their preferences. Some people also have an aversion for mixing silver and gold pieces, so it’s worth snooping around their jewelry box to find out what they have the most of so that your engagement ring choices will stay in the right ballpark. You want something that they can wear all of the time without feeling out of place.
Finding the Right Diamonds
When searching for the right diamonds, there are two things to keep in mind. The cut and the carat. While you could also worry about clarity and color, it’s best not to get overwhelmed with too many details all at once.
The most common cuts include round, princess, oval, crosscut, and marquise. Round cut diamonds are the most classic for engagement rings and can be used alone in solitaire styles or paired with smaller diamonds for additional flair and sparkle. Round cuts also often have the most sparkle, with ovals and marquise taking second place. To determine which cut is best, consider the type of jewelry your partner currently wears. Do they like more intricate pieces with lots of bling, or are they more subdued? If your partner is a fan of simple or timeless pieces, a modest solitaire offset with a couple of inlaid diamond accents along the band may be something to consider.
Carat refers to the standard unit of weight for diamonds and gems. For instance, one carat is divided into 100 points, with a 50 point diamond equalling 0.50 carats. The larger a diamond is, the more carats and the more expensive it will be. This is because large diamonds are far rarer than smaller ones making them a more precious commodity.
Consider working with your jeweler to explore engagement rings with the cut and balance that your partner would enjoy. For instance, if your partner is a fan of flashy rings, a larger carat solitaire would offer a good balance of glitz and simplicity. It’s also worth considering if you want the ring to stand out as a statement piece or blend more subtly so that it can be paired with other jewelry easily.
Choosing engagement rings can be a difficult decision, but ultimately if you know your partner’s style, as well as the options available to you, you should have a far easier time than if you went in blind. If you’re ever feeling stuck, don’t hesitate to ask your jeweler for more information so that you can find the best ring possible for your partner.