You want your proposal to go absolutely perfect. However, finding the right engagement ring can be a struggle. After all, there are so many rings to choose from. Knowing which engagement ring to invest in can seem like a daunting task. However, there are tips that you can utilize to make the task easier. In this article, we will go over some of the top tips to buy the perfect engagement ring.

1. Understand Your Budget
One of the main things that you are going to want to do when you are looking into buying the perfect engagement ring is understanding your budget. You need to know exactly how much money you have to spend on the ring in order to be able to effectively narrow down your options accordingly. There are plenty of sites to find your dream ring and band.

While a lot of people follow the old rule of spending three months of your salary, that is not the way to go. The truth is, this ‘rule’ was made by jewelers and jewelry stores to get you to spend more money on your engagement ring than you could actually afford. This rule is unrealistic and not a viable option for most people. Instead, you should look at your individual finances and figure out what kind of ring you could realistically afford. There are various ways to find the right ring without having to go into debt. You can even find a ring that you adore by ‘compromising’ on various features.

2. Finding A Reputable Jewelry Store or Jeweler
Another big thing that you are going to want to do to find the best ring is to ensure that you are shopping around at reputable places. The last thing you want to do is purchase an engagement ring from a jeweler only to find out that you got ripped off. This is why it is so important to stick to shopping either at reputable jewelry stores or jewelers that have proper certifications and credentials. This way, you can completely wipe away any fear of getting ripped off and not getting exactly what you are paying for. This is going to allow you to figure out where you should be shopping when it comes to buying your engagement ring. There is so much information out on the market about just about any jeweler or jewelry store that you shouldn’t have a problem identifying the right option to consider shopping at. Look at everything from BBB ratings, review websites, to their respective certifications.

3. Understand The Style You Want
Another big thing that you are going to want to do when you are shopping for an engagement ring is to figure out what kind of style you are aiming for. You want to factor in the style of the ring in the beginning stages of identifying the right ring because it is going to effectively allow you to narrow down various rings that are available on the marketplace that you might want to avoid completely due to the ring not being the desired style. The best way to identify what kind of style your significant other is going to be interested in is by looking at her current ring collection. By digging into her current collection, you should be able to tell what kind of style suits her and what she likes in her rings. Some might like bigger and grandiose rings and some might like more complementary and less flashy rings.

Another way you should be able to figure out what kind of style might suit her is by taking her to the jewelry store and seeing what types and styles of rings catch her eye the most. Figure out her ideal style and you should be able to find the right engagement style to go with in your respective budget.

4. Understanding How To Shop For Diamonds
If you are set on getting a diamond engagement ring, you will need to fully understand how to shop for a diamond. This means understanding “The Four C’s.” This includes knowing the clarity, color, carat, and cut. All of these factors are important to know when you are shopping for a diamond because each one plays an integral role in determining the value and cost of the ring. Without understanding them, you might end up paying more for a diamond than it is worth on the market. Typically, if you are dealing with a budget, you should know which trade-offs to opt for. To get the best looking diamond for your money, you are usually going to have to make a trade-off with the overall size of the diamond and the quality. To achieve the best value from your purchase, you will typically want to opt to purchase a colorless diamond with no marks visible to the naked eye and one that has a good cut rating. This should allow you to get the best diamond for your money.

5. Consider The Band
Once you have decided on the diamond (if you are going with a diamond) you will need to consider the band. You will want to look to see what material and the size of the band you want in the ring. This is where you can save a good amount of money if you are looking to stay within a respective budget. By opting for a less expensive material for the band, you should be able to minimize the total amount you have to fork out for the engagement ring.

Overall, there are a lot of things that you will need to consider when you are shopping for an engagement ring.Be sure to avoid adhering to outdated philosophies of spending three months of your salary and instead create your own realistic budget to avoid overspending.