An engagement ring is more complicated than it might first appear. Each bridal ring consists of several elements including the setting style, the shape of the gemstone, and the type of metal the ring is made of. These elements can be confusing and overwhelming to someone who has never shopped for fine jewelry before; these tips will help orient you during this important buying event.
Shape and setting and how these affect the ring
The shape of a diamond will affect the way the ring looks and, to a certain degree, how it is worn. Round diamonds are easy to wear because round stones and settings are less likely to catch on clothing or hair. That said, a round solitaire stone set with a prominent profile (raised above the band) can get in the way of the work that some women do. In contrast, a stone given a square cut may have more corners but may also be placed closer to the surface of the band.
Understand the jewelry store’s return and replacement policies
If an engagement ring is being selected prior to a proposal, the man may not know for certain what sort of ring his bride-to-be would prefer to wear. Some jewellery shops offer options to switch the stones or change the settings if a customer is not satisfied with the initial selection. A sales associate can tell you all about the store’s policies regarding return, replacement, and trade-up. These options are in place to make selecting the perfect ring a task that can be easily accomplished. Make sure you understand all of these policies before making your final selection.
Selecting the metal
Interestingly, many women have stronger feelings about the metal their bridal ring is made of than what size or type of gemstone is present. The main metals used in fine jewelry are:
- Gold
- White gold
- Sterling silver
- Platinum
Women’s preference in metal sometimes stems from what looks best against their skin. Yellow gold complements warm skin tones while silver, white gold, and platinum look very elegant against cooler tones.
White gold is actually regular yellow gold covered in a silver-colored coating. Over time this coating can wear away so that the yellow layer beneath shows through. While recoating a white gold ring is a common procedure, it is an expense that should be anticipated when selecting this metal type.
Though some women strongly prefer the look of sterling silver, it is not a traditional metal for wedding or engagement rings. You might have to look at larger jewelry stores to find a reasonable selection of silver rings to choose from.
Selecting the stone
Once the metal is selected you can begin considering what stone should be placed in it. Diamonds are the most traditional wedding and engagement gemstone though many women love the look of emeralds, sapphires, rubies, and multi-colored topaz gemstones. Gemstones are cut in many different ways in order to best show off their natural sparkle and color. The use of colored gemstones in wedding rings is currently very trendy.
Take your time
Unless you are trying to buy a ring under a very strict deadline, try to take your time. There are hundreds of ring styles to select from so if you do not find what you want right away, simply keep looking. Do not feel pressured to make a choice you are not ready to. With a little time and perseverance, you will certainly find the perfect wedding ring.
Rosie says
I’m glad I got to pick out my engagement ring, and I adore it. I would appreciate a man who doesn’t get a ring, then you have to hurt his feelings b/c it isn’t what you want to wear – esp forever!