Even if you have some knowledge about jewelry, engagement rings seem to belong to a league of their own. They hold immense significance as a once-in-a-lifetime piece of jewelry, and it's natural to feel overwhelmed by the decision.
Fortunately, you don't have to navigate this decision alone. At Maharaja’s Fine Jewelry, our team of trusted experts is here to ensure that the process goes smoothly. To kickstart your ring shopping experience, we created this guide with answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive from engagement ring shoppers.
Over time, these practices became cultural norms. However, more and more couples are breaking away from these traditions. Ultimately, what truly matters is choosing an engagement ring that symbolizes the love you share. We say there’s no need to save up exactly three months of pay–simply set a healthy budget, whatever that may be, and stick to it.
If you have a good understanding of your partner's preferences in terms of style and carat size, there's nothing wrong with maintaining the element of surprise. If you're uncertain, it's perfectly acceptable to discuss the ring openly with your partner beforehand. Nowadays, many couples even embark on the journey of shopping for engagement rings together.
Other popular shapes include the cushion, pear, marquise, and heart cuts. Each shape has its unique characteristics and appeal.
Diamond color refers to the presence of any tint in a diamond, with the highest-quality diamonds being completely colorless. The grading of diamond color is done using a letter scale. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) assigns the highest grade of "D" to diamonds without any color and the lowest grade of "Z" to diamonds that exhibit noticeable coloration.
On the other hand, diamond clarity assesses the presence of "inclusions" or flaws within the diamond. Inclusions are non-diamond materials that become trapped within the diamond during its formation, such as tiny particles of other minerals. While color and clarity contribute to the overall appearance of a diamond, they have a lesser impact on its perceived size.
Among the factors that determine the visual size of a diamond, diamond cut is perhaps the most crucial, alongside carat size. Cut refers to the symmetry and proportions of the diamond, specifically the facets (flat faces) of the gemstone. Well-cut facets reflect a significant amount of light, creating a dazzling and brilliant sparkle.
An "excellent" or "ideal" cut diamond will appear larger than its actual size due to its radiant qualities. Therefore, if you aim to maximize the visual impact relative to the carat size, it might be wise to consider a smaller diamond with excellent cut quality rather than a larger diamond with a less impressive cut.
Diamond carat size refers to the weight of the diamond. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams. Carat weights may also be expressed in points, with each point equaling 1/100th of a carat. For instance, a 50 point diamond would be equal to half a carat.
Next, consider your variable expenses, such as food and entertainment, where you have more control over how much you spend. Identify areas where you can reduce your spending and subtract that amount from your remaining budget. This will give you an idea of how much you can potentially save each month. By consistently setting aside those savings, you'll soon have a healthy budget for ring shopping.
The duration for creating a custom engagement ring can vary. It will depend on a few things, including how intricate the ring style is, the availability of materials, and even the time of year when the request is made (because custom jewelers may experience high demand before major gift-giving occasions, like Christmas). Most skilled custom jewelers have a general timeframe established for their design process. Check in with the custom jewelry you’re considering to get an estimate.
At the end of the day, don’t go ring shopping two days before that Paris proposal trip you're planning. Give yourself plenty of time to find your ring–we recommend at least four weeks if you’re going custom, and at least two if you’re buying a premade ring.
The easiest way to sneakily find your partner’s ring size is to take a ring they already wear from their jewelry box. This will give you a reference that you can measure against a ring size chart. You could also bring that ring to a jeweler–as an excuse, you could even tell your partner that you took it in for a cleaning (a very helpful thing to do). There, a jeweler can give you the most accurate size.
If you can’t get to their jewelry box, we have a few more tips. Asking their friends and family might be a good way to get the scoop without tipping off your bride to be. Another option is to measure her finger with string while she’s asleep. The next time she passes out on the couch in the middle of her favorite show, carefully wrap a piece of string around the base of her finger. Mark the length of the string and measure it with a ruler or measuring tape.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with just asking, or bringing her in for a ring sizing. Just because they know the proposal is coming doesn’t mean they know when or how it’ll happen–there’s still plenty of opportunity to surprise them.
Fortunately, you don't have to navigate this decision alone. At Maharaja’s Fine Jewelry, our team of trusted experts is here to ensure that the process goes smoothly. To kickstart your ring shopping experience, we created this guide with answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive from engagement ring shoppers.
Ignore the Old ‘Engagement Ring Rules’
In the past, there were certain expectations and unwritten rules for engagement ring shoppers. One well-known guideline was the "3 months salary rule," suggesting that individuals should save up the equivalent of three months' worth of their salary to spend on the ring. Additionally, it was commonly believed that couples should not shop for the ring together and that the ring itself should remain a surprise until the proposal.Over time, these practices became cultural norms. However, more and more couples are breaking away from these traditions. Ultimately, what truly matters is choosing an engagement ring that symbolizes the love you share. We say there’s no need to save up exactly three months of pay–simply set a healthy budget, whatever that may be, and stick to it.
If you have a good understanding of your partner's preferences in terms of style and carat size, there's nothing wrong with maintaining the element of surprise. If you're uncertain, it's perfectly acceptable to discuss the ring openly with your partner beforehand. Nowadays, many couples even embark on the journey of shopping for engagement rings together.
Check Out an Engagement Ring Styles Chart
When it comes to engagement ring styles, there are three main considerations: setting style, center stone shape, and band metal. It’s important to take all of these into account when finding the perfect ring for your partner, but the sheer number of styles can be overwhelming. So, let’s dive into a few popular styles in each category.Engagement Ring Setting Styles
There are several common engagement ring setting styles to choose from. Solitaire settings feature a single center stone, while halo settings surround the center stone with smaller diamonds. Vintage-inspired settings evoke an antique charm, while three-stone settings symbolize the past, present, and future. Bezel, pavé, and channel settings offer unique variations in design.Engagement Ring Diamond Shapes
You can choose from a variety of diamond shapes for your center stone. The round brilliant cut is timeless and popular, while the princess cut offers a modern and square shape. Taller diamond shapes like the oval or emerald cut have an elongating effect on the finger.Other popular shapes include the cushion, pear, marquise, and heart cuts. Each shape has its unique characteristics and appeal.
Engagement Ring Band Types
Common engagement ring metals include platinum, known for its durability and white luster, and gold, available in yellow, white, and rose hues. White gold is a popular choice, while yellow gold offers a classic look. Rose gold adds a romantic touch, and has been trendy in recent years.Educate Yourself About Diamond Quality
It’s vital to pay attention to the color, cut, clarity, and carat size of your diamond. Understanding these characteristics, commonly known as the "4 Cs," will help you purchase a quality diamond.Diamond color refers to the presence of any tint in a diamond, with the highest-quality diamonds being completely colorless. The grading of diamond color is done using a letter scale. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) assigns the highest grade of "D" to diamonds without any color and the lowest grade of "Z" to diamonds that exhibit noticeable coloration.
On the other hand, diamond clarity assesses the presence of "inclusions" or flaws within the diamond. Inclusions are non-diamond materials that become trapped within the diamond during its formation, such as tiny particles of other minerals. While color and clarity contribute to the overall appearance of a diamond, they have a lesser impact on its perceived size.
Among the factors that determine the visual size of a diamond, diamond cut is perhaps the most crucial, alongside carat size. Cut refers to the symmetry and proportions of the diamond, specifically the facets (flat faces) of the gemstone. Well-cut facets reflect a significant amount of light, creating a dazzling and brilliant sparkle.
An "excellent" or "ideal" cut diamond will appear larger than its actual size due to its radiant qualities. Therefore, if you aim to maximize the visual impact relative to the carat size, it might be wise to consider a smaller diamond with excellent cut quality rather than a larger diamond with a less impressive cut.
Diamond carat size refers to the weight of the diamond. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams. Carat weights may also be expressed in points, with each point equaling 1/100th of a carat. For instance, a 50 point diamond would be equal to half a carat.
Budget for an Engagement Ring
Tips for Building a Budget
If you're not planning to adhere to the "three months' salary" guideline, you might wonder how much you should spend on an engagement ring. The answer lies in creating a budget that suits your financial situation. Begin by carefully examining your fixed expenses, such as rent or mortgage, which remain consistent each month. Deduct these expenses from your income.Next, consider your variable expenses, such as food and entertainment, where you have more control over how much you spend. Identify areas where you can reduce your spending and subtract that amount from your remaining budget. This will give you an idea of how much you can potentially save each month. By consistently setting aside those savings, you'll soon have a healthy budget for ring shopping.
Average Engagement Ring Price
Currently, the average price range for an engagement ring falls between $6,000 and $11,000, which offers a significant range of options. This means that within various budgets, you can likely find a great ring.Know the Best Time to Buy an Engagement Ring
How long does it take to get an engagement ring?
This depends on a few factors. If you’re getting a ready-made ring, it will take less time than if you were getting a custom made ring. However, even a premade ring may need alterations. You will need to add the diamond of your choice to the setting. You may need to get the ring resized as well.The duration for creating a custom engagement ring can vary. It will depend on a few things, including how intricate the ring style is, the availability of materials, and even the time of year when the request is made (because custom jewelers may experience high demand before major gift-giving occasions, like Christmas). Most skilled custom jewelers have a general timeframe established for their design process. Check in with the custom jewelry you’re considering to get an estimate.
At the end of the day, don’t go ring shopping two days before that Paris proposal trip you're planning. Give yourself plenty of time to find your ring–we recommend at least four weeks if you’re going custom, and at least two if you’re buying a premade ring.
How to Find a Woman’s Ring Size
By now, hopefully you have a better idea of the engagement ring you would like to buy for your partner. However, there’s still a key piece of information missing: their ring size. Here are a few tips on how to covertly find their ring size.The easiest way to sneakily find your partner’s ring size is to take a ring they already wear from their jewelry box. This will give you a reference that you can measure against a ring size chart. You could also bring that ring to a jeweler–as an excuse, you could even tell your partner that you took it in for a cleaning (a very helpful thing to do). There, a jeweler can give you the most accurate size.
If you can’t get to their jewelry box, we have a few more tips. Asking their friends and family might be a good way to get the scoop without tipping off your bride to be. Another option is to measure her finger with string while she’s asleep. The next time she passes out on the couch in the middle of her favorite show, carefully wrap a piece of string around the base of her finger. Mark the length of the string and measure it with a ruler or measuring tape.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with just asking, or bringing her in for a ring sizing. Just because they know the proposal is coming doesn’t mean they know when or how it’ll happen–there’s still plenty of opportunity to surprise them.