Okay guys, this one is for you. If you’re thinking about popping the question soon, you’re probably feeling a liiiittle stressed out and overwhelmed with ring shopping. We’ve shared some tips for picking out a great ring for your money before, but what about all the stuff leading up to that? Before you decide on cut and clarity, you’ve got to decide where you’re shopping and who you’re bringing! Here are our top tips to make engagement ring shopping a breeze.
1) Set your budget first. Before you step foot in a jewelry store, figure out how much you’re comfortable spending. The age old tradition is 2 months salary, but nowadays budgets and bills vary and you should decide on an amount you can afford comfortably. Figure out that number and stick to it! Don’t look at rings outside of that budget– it’s kind of like dress shopping for the ladies– you’re bound to fall in love with something way more expensive, and then things just get messy.
2) Enlist select help. Is there a person that’s close to your girl that you’re comfortable with? Maybe it’s her bff that you know, or you’re tight with her sister. Whoever you are comfortable with and trust to keep a secret, enlist their help. They’re provide a different perspective and opinion and be a great sounding board during your shopping.
3) Think about her style. Is she super girly and always wears pink? Is she more of the outdoorsy, organic type? Would a conflict free diamond in a handmade ring be up her alley? Or is she more of a rose gold and gemstone type? There’s something for everyone! Take cues from her style, personality and passions. Even if you’re not sure what she’d love, a jeweler can help point you toward suggestions based on these things.
4) Don’t forget to think outside the box! Many jewelers do custom work for very reasonable prices, so if you don’t see anything on the shelves you love, don’t fret. Consider all your options, not just what’s most popular and on display.
5) Lastly, do a little sleuthing and figure out her (approximate) ring size. See if you can grab a ring she wears frequently and trace it on paper, or if she won’t miss it for a day, ‘borrow’ it. If you absolutely can’t get away with figuring out her ring size, 6-7 is the most common women’s ring size, and bigger rings are always easier to resize than small ones.
