When it comes to engagement ring shopping, educating yourself is key! From discovering what she really wants to mastering the 4C's of diamonds, putting in the extra work will pay off in the end!Tip #1:What Does She WantWhen it's time to start shopping for the perfect ring a little reconnaissance can go along way to seeing her vision. From her Pinterest boards to her friends see what general look she is after: pink gold engagement rings, retro vintage engagement rings, modern engagement rings, or even a timeless classic solitaire.Tip #2:Set An Honest BudgetIt is important to set a preliminary budget that you can actually afford. This will give you a baseline that you can use when you start shopping. Engagement rings are like cars you can pick a model but the trims, upgrades, and after market parts can dramatically affect the price. Same thing with engagement rings, you may start out shopping for a classic engagement ring and end up with metal upgrades, diamond upgrades, etc.Tip #3:Write A Mission StatementI recently helped a friend buy an engagement ring, he did his homework, set a budget and went in strong. However, the more sparkle he saw the more he became distracted from her original vision of a classic solitaire. I like to think the sparkle of the diamonds had him under a spell. As we began to narrow down the styles he had a diamond crusted engagement ring mounting is his sights. This was not what she wanted. However, after some soul searching he put his vision aside and came back to what she really wanted. In the end he selected a chic 18KT white gold classic solitaire with pinched shoulders and a low set stone; the focus was solely on the gorgeous diamond he had selected. The moral of the story is stay true to your mission. Write it down and carry it with you every time you shopping.Tip #4:Find A Trusted JewelerYou would think that finding that the actual ring was the most important step in engagement ring shopping, but it's not. What is important is you find a local jeweler you can trust. If you have the right jeweler everything will fall into place. Your friends and family can be a great resource to find a jeweler, but regardless of where they recommend you go make sure the store has a Graduate Gemologist on staff (also known as a G.G.). This is a person who has undergone extensive training from a gemological school such as G.I.A. (The Gemological Institute of America) and can guide you to the perfect stone.Tip #5:Learn The 4C's of DiamondsTo an untrained eye, all diamonds can look alike and discussing them with a G.G. is much like talking to a mechanic when all you know about a car is the color you like. Learning their lingo (A.K.A. the 4C's of Diamonds) is no easy feat but its vital to making an educated purchase. The slightest difference in color, cut, or clarity will not only dramatically affect the look of the stone but also your budget! Learning the language will help you understand where to save, where to spend, and how communicate your vision.Tip #6:Recruit A Supportive FriendFinding a friend to be your confidant throughout the process means finding a person who can stay objective and supportive. Make sure that this is a person who will not pressure you into their vision, but will help you stay true to her vision.Tip #7:Find The Perfect StoneThe hunt for the perfect engagement ring starts with finding the perfect stone! You will need to know if she wants a round, princess, etc. Based on your choice of center stone, your engagement ring settings may be narrowed. You will also want to buy a certified stone from a trusted organization like G.I.A. The certificate will guarantee the stones color, cut, quality, and carat.Tip #8:Reevaluate Your The BudgetDon't be overwhelmed after your first shopping trip. Expect sticker shock and a health dose of reality. Next, take a deep breath, regroup, and go back to your mission statement and make sure that all the sparkle of the diamonds hasn't brought you off track.Tip #9:Narrow Engagement Ring Settings Today's bridal market is amazing. There are endless engagement ring settings to choose from; from classic solitaires to ornate vintage engagement rings, modern engagement rings to one-of-a-kind unique engagement rings. There is something for everyone. Remember your mission statement when shopping, it will help you stay on track.Tip #10:Give Yourself Enough TimeAs you can see, a lot more goes into engagement ring shopping than just picking out a pretty ring. Make sure you give yourself at least 6 weeks so there is time for shopping, contemplating, and actually producing the ring.
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