—
Most men can agree that the hardest part about proposing to their partner is choosing the engagement ring. There are so many things you need to consider before coming out of the jewelry store with ‘the one’. After all, your partner will be wearing that every day since the day you pop the question. This means you need to ensure the ring matches their personality and fits well with their everyday life. Fortunately, if you take into consideration the following four tips, your decision will be much easier to make.
Set a budget
First things first, you need to set a budget. This will help narrow down your search and ensure you don’t spend a small fortune on the ring. There are many rules out there, for what the budget should be, including one that says the best ring for your budget is the one that costs twice your monthly salary. Forget about those rules and just establish the budget you think is best suited. There is no reason to go into financial trouble for this. After all, the engagement ring should be a symbol of love, not of wealth, and your future fiancé will understand this.
Think about your partner’s style
With so many engagement ring styles out there, it can be difficult to choose the one that will leave your fiancé breathless. The key rule is to pick a ring that suits their style and that will go well with everything they wear. If your partner has a very active life, a big stone may get in the way of her day to day activities. At the same time, if she is a romantic, feminine type, you may want to look out for vintage engagement rings, that would go well with her style. After all, you need to remember that she is the one wearing it every day.
Understand the 4 C’s.
If you decide to pick out a diamond ring, you need to get familiar with the 4 C’s, which are the basic rules for choosing a diamond.
- Cut: the cut determines the diamond’s beauty and will affect the way it reflects the light. This should be your number one focus.
- Color: diamonds are graded D to Z for their color, with D being colorless and more expensive, and Z being the most tainted one.
- Clarity: based on how visible blemishes and inclusions are, you can determine the clarity of the ring. Rings with fewer inclusions and blemishes are the most expensive ones.
- Carat: this determines a diamond’s weight and apparent size.
Consider other stones
Diamonds are not the only option for an engagement ring. If you feel your future fiancé may not be the diamond-type, then you can go ahead and choose a different type of stone for the ring. Sapphires, rubies or emeralds are some of the most popular choices, but you can also be a bit more daring and choose an amethyst or onyx stone. These options work well for someone with a more daring personality.
—
This content is sponsored by Stephen Marshal.
Photo: Shutterstock