10 Expert Tips for Engagement Ring Shopping

Keep these pointers in mind when searching for the perfect sparkler.

A bride putting on her earrings and showcasing her diamond engagement ring

Photo by Stephanie Velez Photography

If you’ve decided that you want to spend the rest of your life with your partner, shopping for an engagement ring is one of the most important (and exciting!) parts of the process. This piece of jewelry will symbolize your commitment to your relationship and is an accessory that you or your significant other will likely wear every single day for eternity. Not to mention, buying an engagement ring is an investment, so you’ll want to choose wisely.

Whether you’re thinking about shopping solo or browsing an in-store selection with your partner, there are many factors to consider when picking out the right sparkler. For example, before heading to the jeweler, you’ll want to determine the look and feel of the design, which includes the shape and size of the stone and the metal of the band. You'll also want to assess the quality and legitimacy of each gem, all while keeping your budget in mind since these jewels usually come with an expensive price tag. But that's not all!

For more savvy tips and tricks while shopping for a sparkler, we interviewed a handful of diamond experts to help you accomplish this task. Ahead, here's how to pick an engagement ring for you or your significant other.

Get Your Ring Finger Measured

Before you do anything, make sure you have an accurate measurement of your or your partner's ring finger. The last thing you want is an engagement ring that doesn't properly fit, so finding a band that feels snug but comfortable is of the utmost importance.

If you’re shopping for a ring as a couple, you can easily get sized at a jewelry store to ensure you get the right fit. However, if you’re the one who’s on the hunt for your partner’s rock, you can secretly measure their finger by asking a mutual friend, or by taking another ring from their collection to a jeweler for an expert opinion.

Bride's Oval-Cut Engagement Ring and Neutral Wedding Manicure

Photo by Collins Nai

Determine the Shape You Want

Once you have the right sizing information, it’s time to concentrate on the aesthetics. Deciding on the shape of the center stone before you shop will make the process a lot easier, so before heading to the store, be sure to familiarize yourself with the different kinds of shapes and identify one or two favorites. From round-cut and princess-cut to cushion-cut and emerald-cut, there are tons of shapes to choose from during this process.

It’s important to note that each cut is set at a different price point per carat. For instance, round cuts are the most expensive shape, whereas pear and marquise cuts are more affordable. If you’re hoping to find a budget-friendly design or a larger stone, choosing an alternative shape to the classic round cut is your best bet.

Have a Carat Size in Mind

The carat size is another element to consider before you start perusing the market, whether you’re the one popping the question or the one answering. “As much as people say size isn't important, it's always the kicking-off point because color and clarity can always be tweaked to find something within your budget,” Jaclyne Kirkorian of Jupiter Jewelry Co., Inc. says.

To figure out which carat size is best for you or your partner, assess whether you or your loved one prefers a larger stone or a clearer diamond. If quantity is more important, you may want to choose one of the more affordable shapes mentioned above. If quality is the priority, you don’t have to put as much thought into the carat size.

In either scenario, you can save a good amount of cash if you choose a less common carat size since diamond prices increase significantly when they weigh half or whole carats (like 0.5, 1, and 1.5). "Buy a diamond that is just shy of these common weights—you'll save money and no one will be able to tell it's a .92 carat instead of 1 carat," Emily Duke of Finesse Diamonds Corp explains.

Choose the Right Metal

After you have an idea of the center stone’s look and feel, it’s time to move on to the band metal—with yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, silver, and platinum being some of the most popular hues to consider. To help you make a decision on one type, you’ll want to take into account your or your partner’s lifestyle, as some metals scratch more easily than others, while some are more expensive.

Budget is another element to keep in mind during this part of the process. For example, although white platinum and silver look nearly identical, platinum has a larger price tag since it’s rarer and has a greater density. What's more, you’ll also want to discern whether stones in the band or multiple bands will suit your or your partner’s style.

Consider Matching Your Wedding Band

It’s easy to get caught up in shopping for the perfect engagement ring, but this sparkler is only half of the equation. While the wedding band is an important piece to keep in mind (after all, it is the symbol of your marriage) this accessory is often overlooked. So, when searching for an engagement ring, think about what style of wedding band would match it best. Since some sparklers don’t allow a band to fit flush against them, it’s truly important to consider the full package of prong versus pavé and channel-set stones before committing to an engagement ring style.

Head to the Wholesale District

Once you're ready to begin shopping, you should consider where you'd like to purchase your piece. More specifically, while you can definitely browse retail jewelers, for those on a budget, working with wholesalers will avoid unnecessary markups while giving you a more unique ring, according to Monil Kothari, founder of Antandre. “A wholesaler or private retailer, like myself, is able to work with customers on a one-on-one basis to create a ring specifically for them,” Kothari says. “Moreover, because we don’t have the overhead traditional retailers do, we can save them more than 30 percent, giving them the most bang for their buck.”

Bride putting on her earrings and showing off her diamond engagement ring

Photo by Chris & Ruth Photography

Assess the 4Cs

Regardless of whether you go the retailer or wholesaler route, you’ll want to assess the 4Cs—cut, color, clarity, and carat—of every item you come across. According to Ira Weissman, creator of The Diamond Pro, the quality of the gem’s color and clarity doesn’t need to be a big priority. In fact, choosing the lowest color and lowest clarity diamond will still appear colorless and flawless to the naked eye, yet the price difference is huge.

On the other hand, you won’t want to sacrifice the cut of the diamond. Why? The cut gives engagement rings that gorgeous sparkle. “If you take a so-so rough diamond and cut it perfectly, it’ll look absolutely stunning,” Dan Moran, founder of Concierge Diamonds, says. “On the contrary, take a top-of-the-line rough diamond and cut it poorly, and it’ll look like absolute garbage.”

Check That It’s Certified

Once you’ve finally landed on the ideal ring, make sure an accredited laboratory, such as the American Gem Society or Gemological Institute of America, has certified the stone. Weissman explains that, unfortunately, many jewelry stores try to mark up the price of the ring by having other labs certify the diamond. This gives the customer the illusion that the diamond is legitimate when, in reality, it’s a lower-quality stone.

Ensure the Certificate Matches the Diamond

Most diamonds are laser-inscribed on the girdle, which is the thin perimeter of a diamond that divides the crown above from the pavilion below. To verify the accuracy of the ring, ask your jeweler to check the girdle with their loupe, a magnifying lens that inspects diamonds and other gems. “Many have inclusions, so you can look at the diamond and see if you can match the imperfections to the map on the certificate, too,” Duke suggests.

Negotiate the Price

If you think you’ve found the perfect sparkler, consider negotiating the price before pulling the trigger. Diamond expert Michael Dobkin of Rosey West says engagement rings can be marked up as much as 500 percent, so it’s worth having a conversation. “A good jeweler will be willing to work within your budget and get you the best quality that works for your needs,” Dobkin shares.

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