Buying an engagement ring

February 13th, 2008 - excerpted from http://www.desinote.com/

Buying an engagement ring can be a difficult task. You’ve decided you’re ready to make a life step, and now you’re being overwhelmed with information. You know she wants a diamond engagement ring, but you’re not sure exactly what to do next. This article is set up to provide you with some straight-to-the-point information and quick action steps so that you don’t have to waste any more time.

First - finding out what she wants? Have you asked her? Or are you trying to make this a complete surprise? There are both positives and negatives to the “surprise” engagement ring. The positive is it can show you’re thoughtful, that you can plan something, and that allows you to plan a surprise moment to pop the question. The negative is that you might select something that she dislikes, you might have the wrong ring size (so she can’t wear it right away), and she might not say yes.

These things are really only negative given the fact that most of the time after you buy a diamond engagement ring you may not be able to return it for something she does want without taking some kind of financial hit. So to find out what she wants, while still maintaining a little secrecy, you can take hints from her — there are pictures in magazines, actual engagement rings in store windows when walking through shopping malls, and most women like to talk about what they like (you just have to get them started).

What specifically do you need to take action? You’ll need to know her ring size(!), the diamond shape, the size (you don’t need to have a specific number, just an idea of big, bigger or biggest), the quality, and what kind of ring style she likes… does she prefer something simple like a Tiffany engagement ring solitaire? (This is just a plain band with the diamond.) Or does she prefer something with some sidestones or pave diamond accents? Or does she want something from a designer like Tacori? Does she like a white or a yellow metal color?

Second - translate and prioritize this into specifics. This is taking the general information on what she wants and turning it into something you can shop for.

Here is an example: you know she wants something round, big and sparkly, doesn’t want to be able to see imperfections in it, and wants it in a simple white setting. You can take this info and put this into a priority table: Shape: RoundSize: 0.90 - 1.40ctDiamond Color: White (H or better color)Diamond Clarity: Eye Clean (SI1 or better — need to make sure it is eye clean)Diamond Cut: very good proportionsSetting: White metal - white gold or platinum.

Third - prepare a budget. Everyone is in a different financial situation. If you are over a hundred thousand dollars in student debt, and don’t have a big income, shooting for the moon with engagement rings may not be a realistic (or smart) thing to do.