Deciding to get engaged is one of the biggest milestones in any long-term relationship. Ideally, you have already had many important conversations about the future with your girlfriend and know that you are both on the same page with hoping to get married in the near future. Your next step is to choose the perfect engagement ring — one that she will love looking at and wearing for decades to come. Here are a few engagement ring shopping tips to guide you:
Decide on the Budget and Finances
Before you begin shopping around for an engagement ring, you need to get clear on how much you want to spend as well as how you will pay for it. Ideally, you will choose a ring you can afford without causing financial difficulty, while also buying a ring that meets basic quality criteria such as decent color and clarity. This can be a difficult balance to strike, so it will likely require advance planning.
Decide if the Ring Will be a Total Surprise
While the proposal itself will likely be mostly a surprise, couples vary a lot on whether or not the ring itself is a surprise. If your girlfriend is very traditional and romantic, she may prefer you to choose a ring without her input. If, on the other hand, your girlfriend is particular about details and has expressed an interest in helping to choose the ring, you may want to go ring shopping with her.
There is no right or wrong approach to whether the engagement ring should be a total surprise or not. Instead, this depends on your relationship.
Carefully Choose a Style That Suits Her
If you are choosing the engagement ring without her input, it's very important to keep her taste and style in mind. For example, if she tends to like flashy clothes and jewelry, you may opt for a bold engagement ring with a large center stone and many other diamonds as well. If, on the other hand, she dresses more subtly and prefers her jewelry to be understated, a classic solitaire with a delicate band may be the best choice.
When in doubt, feel free to ask her close friends and family what they think.
Choosing an engagement ring is a big deal, but it doesn't have to be stressful. By following the tips in this article and working with a trusted jeweler, you will be sure to choose a ring she loves.
