Guide to engagement ring shopping

20 September 2023 • 4 min read

Have you decided that it’s time to propose to your loved one? Congratulations! While planning to propose is an exciting time in one’s life, buying an engagement ring can be a daunting thought.

As it’s considered a significant investment, the process of buying an engagement ring should take thought and consideration. You want to do it right.

Whether buying the ring as a couple or searching by yourself, we’ve made your search a little bit easier. With decades of experience in the industry, we’ve created a guide to making engagement ring shopping a little less stressful.

Find our guide to engagement ring shopping below.

1. Determine your budget

The first thing is to know your budget. Determining your budget will help you narrow your search when it is time to look at rings.

A price mark will also provide you with a price guide to share with jewellers when they assist you so you don’t spend time looking over your budget.

This is also a safe way to ensure you purchase within your means. There is no use looking at a $10,000 engagement ring when you only want to spend half that amount. Having a fixed budget means you don’t have to dwell on options that might interest you but are way over your range.

2. Know your diamond terminology

Doing some research before you begin your search will go a long way. When it comes to engagement rings, the very basics you should know about are the all-important 4Cs – carat, cut, colour and clarity. These define the diamond criteria usually graded by gemologists such as the GIA.

Furthermore, you also have the ring styles, settings and diamond shapes to know. This can be overwhelming if you learn during your shopping trip. It is best to read up and understand the lingo before you start shopping. It’ll help you pick up on these terms faster if you look up a handy illustrated guide for the basic engagement ring terms.

3. Have an idea of what ring design you are looking for

Once you’ve got your budget, have done your research, and understand the terminology and different types of rings on the market and what will suit your price tag. The next step is deciding which ring designs you are interested in.

With multiple ring styles available, it is recommended you have a few you are considering in mind. More importantly, list any diamond cuts you or your partner prefer and the leading metal choice.

It is also best to determine whether you are open to natural diamond or lab grown diamond rings. This will help refine your search and lead you in the right direction.

When researching for design options, it’s best to have top five or top three choices to work around. This will help you trim down too many options and provide basic criteria for the jewellers you visit.

4. Know their ring size

Once you have a ring in mind, it is time to find one of the most important elements – their ring size. If you are shopping together, your partner can be sized in-store by a friendly staff member. Alternatively, online jewellers usually offer a chart or a tool for you to find your ring size.

However, it is not impossible to determine your partner’s ring size if you are shopping by yourself. There are a few ways you can figure out their ring size without blowing your cover. Ask a close friend who can take them shopping or find a ring they were often on a similar finger and trace this shape.

Try to get as close as possible. Most jewellers allow you to resize by one size difference if you are off a size.

5. Find credible jewellers

A big tip is to find a credible jeweller. This means doing more research in terms of jewellers. A good rule of thumb is to check out their websites, social media accounts and reviews.

Checking their online presence will give you an impression of the jeweller, their product quality and service. Their website can also be a smart way to learn more about their business. Furthermore, reviews provide feedback from real-time customers, giving you a good understanding of their service and products.

6. Don’t just look in-store

We live in modern-day times – this means you no longer have to rely on physical shopfronts! While there is still value to the traditional ring shopping method of visiting a jeweller in person, shopping for engagement rings online is also a valuable experience.

No longer are you limited to your local jewellers – the internet has broadened your options, giving you access to countless jewellers. This is great for small, remote areas with limited options. If you live in an urban region with plenty of shops, we suggest you shop around and give both in-store and online a go – this will allow you more options when finding the right ring.

Ready to start your journey looking for an engagement ring? Ernesto Buono Fine Jewellery can help you! With decades of experience in the industry, we have unmatched craftsmanship, offering some of the finest engagement rings.

Head to our website to view our exclusive range of engagement rings.