Buying an engagement ring is one of the most important purchases you will make, which can make it a stressful purchase for many people. It’s an expensive purchase and one that your soon-to-be fiance will have for the rest of her life.
We’ve put together a helpful article on how to purchase an engagement ring which goes over how to decide on a budget, the four C’s you need to consider when purchasing a diamond, and even how to figure out her ring size. In this article, we’ll look at different engagement ring styles, alternatives to a traditional engagement ring, and the best place to purchase one.
Choosing an Engagement Ring She’ll Want to Wear Forever
When it comes to choosing an engagement ring she’ll love forever, the easiest way to ensure this is simply by asking her preferences. Something as simple as knowing what color metal she prefers can make a huge difference. For some couples, it even makes sense to go ring shopping together, especially if she has particular taste.
If you can’t go shopping together, or if she wants it to be a surprise then consider what you already know about her style and preferences.
Look at the jewelry she currently wears – is it big and flashy or does she prefer a more minimalist look? Her current style can be extremely telling and helpful when deciding on an engagement ring.
What Engagement Ring Style is Right for Me?
As the person receiving the engagement ring, you may not know the answer to this question right away. It may be helpful to go to a jewelry store and try on some rings to get an idea of what you do and don’t like. This way when your significant other asks you about your taste and preferences you have an answer. If it’s not possible to get to a store, then you can browse websites like Pinterest, jewelry store websites, or even social media for inspiration. Perhaps you saw a celebrity’s engagement ring that you absolutely love, or you want one similar to your mom’s.
Another helpful way to narrow down your engagement ring style preferences is to consider how you want your ring to look when you wear it with your wedding band. Do you want the ring to simply sit on top of your wedding band, or do you prefer a stacked wedding band look?
Alternatives to Diamond Engagement Rings
Of course, a diamond center stone isn’t always the right choice for every couple when it comes to purchasing an engagement ring. Whether the reason to not get a diamond has to do with budget or style preference, having alternative stone engagement rings has become very popular over the years.
If the reason for not getting a diamond is budget there are some alternatives that will still look like you have a diamond center stone. Moissanite is one such example. These stones are lab-created and are almost as hard as a real diamond. They can also be cut in a way that they perfectly replicate a diamond and are often shinier than diamonds. Plus they are much less expensive!
Some couples who want the diamond look without the diamond price tag opt for lab-grown diamonds which tend to be about 15 to 20% cheaper than real diamonds and chemically are identical to diamonds. Another less expensive option is to get a white sapphire center stone. This stone does not replicate a real diamond the way moissanite does, but it still very similar to a traditional diamond engagement ring.
Unexpected Engagement Ring Stones
If you are looking for an alternative look to diamonds, some great alternative stone choices include:
- Emeralds
- Sapphires
- Rubies
- Aquamarine
- Morganite
- Amethyst
- Tourmaline
- Onyx
- Labradorite
- Sunstone
In addition to these gemstones, opals and pearls also make for stunning center stone replacements on engagement rings.
Best Places to Buy an Engagement Ring Online
While the most ideal way to make such an expensive purchase is to go to a store in-person and physically see the product you are buying, this isn’t always possible. In the event making this purchase online is the only option, some of the best places to shop online for engagement rings include Blue Nile, Etsy, Brilliant Earth, Jared, and James Allen.
How to Buy An Engagement Ring Online
Is it safe to buy a diamond online?
This is likely the biggest question on your mind when considering purchasing a diamond engagement ring online. The answer is yes, providing you do your research first.
What this means is purchasing the ring from a trusted online jeweler like the ones mentioned above. You should be sure they are reputable and have solid reviews online. A reputable online jeweler will have their reputation at stake, this means they will provide you with a certification for your diamond and will also insure shipping.
Reputable online jewelers will also carry a no-questions-asked return policy.
