You’ve found the person you want to spend the rest of your life with! How exciting!
You have so many relationship milestones ahead of you, but for many couples the first major step is buying an engagement ring. Whether you plan to shop together or on your own, there are many choices you’ll need to consider when selecting the engagement ring of your dreams.
Below we’ll go over the most important aspects to consider when beginning the journey to buying an engagement ring: type of center stone, stone shape, stone size, metal color and ring size. We’ll also share our jewelry experts’ top 2019 engagement ring trends.
#1 Diamond or Colored Gemstones
One of the very first decisions you’ll need to make is probably the most important one, because it will have the biggest impact on how your ring looks! Do you want to go with the traditional diamond engagement ring, or break the mold with a colored gemstone? Diamonds continue to be the top choice among most couples, but they aren’t the only option! Colored gemstones such as emeralds, sapphires and rubies are becoming more and more popular.
If you decide to go with a diamond ring, be sure to check out our Diamonds 101 Guide for more detailed information on the 4C’s (cut, color, clarity, carat weight).
Trend Alert!
Our jewelry experts tell us that 2019 will be the year of colored gemstone engagement rings! Many celebrities and fashion icons have already embraced this trend. Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton with a stunning blue sapphire ring and both Jessica Simpson and Victoria Beckham wear engagement rings adorned with rubies.
If you enjoy being unique and flaunting one-of-a-kind jewelry, a colored gemstone engagement ring might be the perfect fit! Choose your stone based on color preference or make your ring even more meaningful by choosing your birthstone!
#2 Stone Shape and Cut
Once you’ve selected the type of stone you want, it’s time to move on to shape. Shape describes a stone’s form, primarily as viewed from above. Did you know there are at least eight different shapes of gemstones?
Round diamond center stones continue to be the most popular choice for engagement rings; however, there are a variety of other options that may be more appealing to you. Size and length of fingers may impact which stone shape looks best.
While a round center stone is flattering on everyone, the oval, pear or marquise shaped stone may look best on slender fingers, while radiant, emerald or princess cuts are a great look on a wider ring finger. Your choice in stone shape may also reveal clues to your personality, style and love life!
- Oval shaped gemstones offer the sparkle of a round stone in a dazzling silhouette. This is the ideal choice for those seeking a uniquely shaped stone that accentuates long and slender fingers.
- Pear shaped stones are very stylish & bold. They resemble an elegant teardrop with one pointed end and one rounded end. Combining tradition and brilliance, this shape is perfect for the bride who is drawn to excitement & the unexpected.
Check out our blog about the Top Seven Diamond Shapes & What They Say About You. Still not sure which shape is right for you? Come into one of our stores to give each of the different shapes a try. You may be surprised by which one looks best!
Trend Alert!
Oval and pear shape diamonds will emerge as two of the most sought after shapes this year!
#3 Diamond Carat Size
Now that you’ve selected the shape of your stone, you’ll want to choose the carat size that works best for you. A carat is a unit of mass equal to 200 milligrams and is used to measure the weight of diamonds and gemstones.
Smaller carat sizes make for a more delicate look, while larger sizes tend to be flashy, statement making pieces.
Once again, the overall size of your hand and fingers may lead you to choose one size over another. A huge center stone may overpower a dainty finger or petite hand. According to The Knot, the average total carat size for engagement rings this year will be about 1.8 carats (including center stone and any additional stones).
See the graphic below for a better idea of what each carat size stone would look like on an average sized hand.
#4 Metal Color
Will you choose yellow gold, white gold or rose gold for your band? Most of us seem to gravitate towards one metal color based simply on personal preference. It could also be worthwhile to see which option looks best with your skin tone.
Cool skin tones tend to favor white gold, the most popular metal, while yellow gold flatters warmer skin tones.
Trend Alert!
Rose gold is a pink hued precious metal that will take the world by storm this year. An alternative to traditional metals, this stylish look flatters nearly all skin tones.
In addition, custom designs, incorporating new mixed metal colors, are also on the rise as couples are inspired by examples on websites such as Pinterest and Etsy.
#5 Ring Size
If you shop for an engagement ring as a couple, her ring size will be measured in person by the jeweler. But if you’re shopping alone, or buying online, it’s best to figure out her ring size in advance.
Once you’ve proposed, she’s going to want to show off that sparkler right away. If the ring is too big or too small and has to be re-sized at the jeweler, she could be in for a major disappointment. Use our online ring-sizing guide to figure out what size is most likely to fit.
Engagement ring shopping should be fun, but can be a bit overwhelming at the same time. That’s why we are here to guide you through the entire engagement ring buying process. Visit any of our stores or browse our extensive online engagement ring collection.
It’s always available and frequently updated with the newest styles. You can also use our online design feature to create your own custom engagement ring.
We can’t wait to help you find your perfect match!