You’ve decided. You’re ready to get down on one knee and pop the question to your girlfriend. You know exactly what you’re going to say when the moment comes, you’re just missing one thing: the ring. Here are some tips that will help you make the right choice.
1. Confirm Her Ring Size
Trying to slip a too-tight ring onto her finger will ruin the romantic moment. So, try your best to get the right fit. The easiest way to find out her size is to go into her jewellery box and “borrow” one of her rings. Sneak it to any jewellery store, and they will place it on a ring sizer and confirm. Presto! You have her size.
Tip: Play Detective
It’s time to investigate. Scroll through her Pinterest boards and saved Instagram posts. Look at the jewellery that she wears. Ask her close friends and family for any tidbits that they can share. These could give you great clues about what type of ring she’d like.
Here are some things that you should look for in her overall taste that can inform the design.
Does she:
- Like lots of sparkle and shimmer?
- Collect vintage clothes?
- Prefer a ‘less is more’ approach?
- Like a lot of colour?
- Like certain gemstones more than others?
- Have an overall style that’s more conservative? Modern? Unique?
Answers to these questions can lead you straight toward the ring.
3. Talk to a Pro
Go to a professional jeweller, not a salesperson at a big box store. A professional jeweller will be able to tell you all about materials and styles that will help bring your research to life. You want to see an expert who cares about the craft — not someone who cares about making a commission.
4. Shop with Her
Bringing your girlfriend to get the ring may sound unconventional, but this solution is more popular than you think. Lots of couples are doing it! Book a consultation with a jeweller to create a custom ring. Together you can look through a long list of gemstones, stone shapes, band designs and more, to see how to craft the perfect engagement ring. Click here to see how you can build the ring of your dreams together and what you can expect from your first talk with the designer.
5. Think about Cost
There is a lot of pressure to overspend on engagement rings. You might have been told that you need to spend two months of your salary or more on your girlfriend’s ring. This “rule” stemmed from a De Beers marketing campaign in the 1930s. Don’t listen to an old ad. Spend what you’re comfortable with.
Here are some suggestions that will make buying the ring easier:
- Follow simple money-saving and budgeting tips for a few months before ring-shopping.
- Go to a custom designer. A big-box store will have higher prices because of extensive overhead costs that a smaller, independent jeweller will not.
- Make a statement, but keep the design simple. Bells and whistles cost more.
Soon enough, you’ll have the perfect ring sitting in a velvet box in your pocket, and you’ll be ready to ask the love of your life to take the next big step with you.
