To the ladies: please shield your eyes and ears. The buck stops here; this one isn't for you!Let's get this over with, dudes. Now that we're alone, I want to congratulate you for not just taking this step but also doing your homework before purchasing an engagement ring. You want to be sure you've thought of everything since this is one of the most essential investments you'll make (right up there with buying a home or paying for your children's college education). Why? Because your significant other has definitely been fantasizing about this piece of jewelry for as long as she can remember (and you surely have to, somehow!). If she hasn't been engaged yet and is adamant about not wearing a ring, you can put this book down and count your blessings. Ignorant Joke (kind of). Wedding Ring Buying Guide
For those of you who, like me, have a potential fiancée, let me tell you that I have dreamed of the ideal engagement ring and proposal since long before I had my first kiss with a stranger while playing spin the bottle. However, I am here in the hopes that I might alleviate some of your stress. HOW TO PICK AN ENGAGEMENT RING
I feel it necessary to preface this manual by stating that every couple has their own unique way of communicating, and this includes how they choose to ask for and accept an engagement ring. I'll give you an example: when I got engaged, not everything listed below occurred. My future husband took me ring shopping with my parents "just for fun," and he picked out my engagement ring based on what I liked most. I had no clue when the proposal would happen, but I was excited about the prospect of being involved in the process because I wanted to make sure I got exactly what I wanted. However, it is just my opinion. Nothing about this is conventional, yet it served our purposes. It's important that you and your intended be on the same page before you begin the procedures below to buy an engagement ring. BLUE OPAL RING
Whether you want the engagement ring to come as a total surprise or you intend to do part (or all) of the preparation together, this article should give you some ideas (and how to do it). In addition, feel free to post any questions you may have after reading this. The time has come; let's get going!
Create a budget as the first step.
The ancient adage that you should spend two or three months' earnings on an engagement ring is outdated and no longer relevant. The reality is that you should spend no more than you can comfortably afford. That's potentially six weeks' worth of money for some people. Still others may be planning to utilize their emergency fund to finance the purchase of the $12,000 ring. You may spend over $20,000 on the ring of your dreams, but you could also discover the ideal one for around $500. Ultimately, it's up to you to assess your financial situation and allocate funds accordingly, taking into consideration your own priorities and preferences. Blue Opal Can Help With Emotional Healing In Many Different Ways
The Second Step: Follow Her Around On Pinterest...And Their Accounts
Your girlfriend is probably a Pinterest user. You may find your girlfriend by entering her email address or name here if you're like, "WTF is Pinterest?" and then creating an account. Not to worry, she may or may not be keeping a secret wedding board (it happens to the best of us). If this is the case, you should ask her closest friends if they can see it, or if they know what sort of jewelry she prefers. The obvious reminder is that they need to keep this information secret. Also, take note of the metals she wears most of her jewelry in, especially her rings. While platinum and white gold continue to dominate the market for engagement rings, many women still choose gold. In fact, rose gold and yellow gold are making a comeback.POPULAR PEARL NECKLACE WITH PLANET
Step 3: Limit her fashion options
If you were able to get any useful information from her circle of acquaintances, her Pinterest board, or her jewelry box, you should consider yourself lucky. Otherwise, there's no need to worry. Don't second-guess yourself when it comes to selecting an engagement ring that she'll like. Is this the first time she's said that she prefers sapphires over diamonds? Alternately, are you aware of her passion for antiques? Any hints, no matter how little, would be much appreciated. Prior to making a purchase, however, you should educate yourself on not just the 4 c's of diamond quality (the cut, color, clarity, and carat), but also the many types of settings available and the prices associated with them. Alternately, you might go in a totally other route and choose a gemstone. The following suggestions are certain to be of assistance and provide fuel for thought.What is Blue Opal?
4. Determine Her Ring Size
Calculating your girlfriend's ring size is one of the most challenging aspects of shopping for an engagement ring (Hell. Me, too; I just recently figured out how to determine my ring size. Therefore, I propose the following: Examine the ring she wears on her ring finger, if any. If she wears a ring, you may easily determine its size by measuring its inner and outer diameters while she's in the shower using a piece of paper and a pencil or pen. Take that tracing to a jeweler, and they should be able to obtain a fair estimate of her size. Here's where things become more complicated: if she doesn't wear rings. Some people might recommend asking her friends, but I wouldn't feel comfortable asking strangers their ring sizes. If one of her friends is already engaged or married, they may be able to assist by having her try on their ring. You may get a rough notion of what would fit your partner based on whether it is too tiny, too large, or the appropriate size. You should choose an engagement ring size that is larger rather than smaller since it is much simpler to scale down than up. Blue Opal: How To Use It
The Fifth Step: Go Shopping
The following is where some of you could have a different opinion (as I talked about in the intro). It's possible that both partners may go out and look for an engagement ring together, in which case Steps 1-4 are unnecessary; however, it's also possible that one spouse will do all of the legwork while the other just provides the funds. Whoever is doing the shopping will benefit from knowing where to begin.
Many lovely engagement rings may be found online, but I recommend visiting a jeweler in person to discuss your budget, desired design, etc. My fiance went to a jeweler my dad has known since he was in high school to get my engagement diamond, so I think it's a good idea to ask around for advice from people you know and trust.
Whether you have personal recommendations or not, a smart place to begin your search for a trustworthy jeweler is among the members of a professional trade group, such as Jewelers of America (JA) or the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) (GIA). Here you may search for local members of JA. Stores like Tiffany and Cartier are always good options, but small, independent jewelers may sometimes provide comparable diamond quality and settings at far more reasonable pricing.
Give yourself a few days (or weeks) to mull it over, even if you believe you've discovered the ideal ring. Visit a number of different jewelers to get a feel for the market and to compare costs (for help, see the guides above on purchasing a diamond) and settings. If I wanted a diamond that wasn't mined by a brutal regime, I'd shop at a website like Brilliant Earth. Keep in mind that they also have physical locations in San Francisco and Los Angeles) and Hearts on Fire to see if anything catches your eye. Online retailers like Trumpet & Horn, Lang Antiques, and 1st Dibs, among others, offer a wide variety of antique rings for sale (we love these vintage engagement rings here). You may return an item without much of a fuss from many online retailers, so you won't feel trapped into keeping anything you don't want.
Make a Choice (and Make a Purchase!)
Hold your breath for a minute. That (might) be painful. As soon as you locate the perfect engagement ring, you should go out and get it so that you may propose to your future spouse as soon as possible. It's important to remember that the delivery time for an engagement ring might range from 4-6 weeks. Get both a comprehensive receipt from the jeweler (with information on the diamond's cut, clarity, carat weight, and so on) and a diamond grading report from a reputable organization like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) (vintage rings or rings under 1 carat may not have this available). For insurance reasons, you may also want to have your ring appraised, and some jewelers will do just that.
Make a Choice (and Make a Purchase!)
Hold your breath for a minute. That (might) be painful. Find the perfect engagement ring in plenty of time for the big question. Engagement rings may take anywhere from 6-8 weeks to arrive, so make sure you include that into your schedule. Get both a comprehensive receipt from the jeweler (with information on the diamond's cut, clarity, carat weight, and so on) and a diamond grading report from a reputable organization like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) (vintage rings or rings under 1 carat may not have this available). For insurance reasons, you may also want to have your ring appraised, and some jewelers will do just that.The spirtual Means of Blue Opal
Next, schedule the ideal time to do it.
So, this will have to wait for another tale...Where is Blue Opal From?
We hope this guide has helped you get started on the path to purchasing an engagement ring. Once again, feel free to post any inquiries you may have below.
We wish you the best of luck!
Comments
Post a Comment