So you’ve found the girl of your dreams and planned the perfect proposal. But have you managed to find the ideal engagement ring?

If not, don’t worry. We’re here to help.

A decision to propose to your girlfriend no matter how long you’ve been dating is a huge one. The last thing you need to add to the pressure is the uncertainties of buying an engagement ring.

Having said that, it’s among the most important purchases you can engage in, and so being at ease, and confident is crucial. Here, you’ll see an easy, step-by-step guide that will solve any question you might have regarding buying an engagement ring.

So let’s get started!

Before You Buy

Before looking at the diamond-ring jargon and the 4Cs, it is essential to first look at some critical things. This includes identifying her style, her ring size as well as your budget.

To get your girl’s style, you can look at the jewelry she has been wearing. By doing this, you’ll know whether she’s a traditional type or a lady who’ll want a unique ring. You can also ask her friends. Whether she likes a bold emerald stone or feminine marquise cut diamond, they will let you know.

To know her size, you can take one of her rings and come with it to a jeweler so it can be measured.

Choosing the Diamond Quality

If you’ve decided to buy a ring with set diamonds in, you’ll need to know the signs to consider in your search for a quality stone.

You’ve probably heard about 5Cs – cut, clarity, color, carat, and certificate. These are the qualities that will determine the value of a diamond and its appearance. Let’s look at them in detail.

Clarity

The clarity of a diamond revolves around the imperfections that the diamond has. The fewer the flaws a diamond has, the more clear and expensive it is. When talking about diamond clarity, the jeweler might mention the inclusions. Inclusions refer to the tiny fractures or other minerals in the diamond.

A scale determines the level of clarity. Both SI1 and SI2 are slightly included but you can’t see the flaws using the naked eye. You’ll need to find a diamond in this range.

Avoid diamonds with inclusions in the middle and on the top as they will be less brilliant.

Color

Diamond comes in many colors. Its color is graded on a scale ranging from D representing colorless to Z representing light yellow. Colorless diamonds are rare and most pricy. The most popular diamonds are white. But it comes down to what your girl prefers.

If your girl likes colored or a pink ring, you can buy a beautiful argyle diamond ring. This is a high quality and rare type of diamond representing less than 0.1 percent of the total diamond production.

Cut

Most people confuse the diamond cut with the diamond shape – but there’s a huge difference. The standard of the cut revolves around how the diamond is crafted and shaped.

Cut has a huge impact on the diamond’s beauty, so you should be keen on it.

Carat

Carat simply refers to the weight of the diamond. The heavier it is, the more you’ll pay for it. One carat contains 100 points, so a 50 point diamond will be said to be half a carat.

Certificate

When buying any diamonds, it is crucial to check whether it has the right certification from GIA or a gemological institute you trust. This is the best way to determine whether you’ve purchased the right sparkler.

Choosing Diamond Shape

In addition to the five C’s, you’ll also need to consider the diamond’s shape. While you may be more concerned about the quality of the ring, your girl might be more concerned about its appearance. Let’s look at a few shapes you might want to consider:

Round

A round diamond is a more traditional shape and is commonly used in crafting engagement rings. They come with a unique sparkle that is enhanced by the cut.

Princess

This is a square diamond and is currently the most popular shape for engagement rings.

Oval

It follows a similar style to the round diamond. This shape allows more light to pass through, giving the ring an extra sparkling appearance.

Pear

The pear shape is also known as teardrop diamond. It takes a quirkier shape of the round brilliant cut diamond and is ideal if you are looking for something a little different.

Other shapes to consider are Cushion, Heart, Marquise, Baguette, Trillion, Emerald, Radiant, and Asscher.

Buying Engagement Ring Online

You can also choose your diamond online and have it shipped to your local jeweler for final mounting. You can have your ring designed online and have it shipped directly to you for mounting with a diamond you already have. Or you can order a finished ring together with a stone online.

Whichever case, be sure to ask for documentation regarding the diamond you’ve ordered.