Navigating the ins and outs of purchasing an engagement ring can be a terribly confusing experience for an unprepared groom-to-be. It’s an involved process rife with an overwhelming number of factors to consider. Do they go for the traditional diamond or instead look to more ethically sourced options like these beautiful moissanite rings? Men can be so perplexed by the whole process that even after a ring has been bought, they don’t feel confident that they’ve made a good deal.
This guide is to help men avoid some of the most common pitfalls with regards to shopping for an engagement ring so that they can come away satisfied with the choices they’ve made. Below are the 4 most easily avoided mistakes when shopping for the perfect ring:
Guessing at Her Ring Size
Going shopping without your future fiancée’s ring size on hand could be a mistake that will only end up costing you both later on. A ring that doesn’t fit will ruin the moment at the proposal, and you’ll have to pay to get it resized. Thankfully, it’s an issue that can be easily circumvented. One of the simplest ways to get your fiancée’s ring size is to borrow one she already owns. You can take this straight to a jeweller, along with some bits of vital information that can help them determine an approximate size if it happens to be a ring that she doesn’t wear on her ring finger. If you aren’t sure, it’s always safer to go up one size bigger than it is to go down.
Failing to Consider Her Preferences
An engagement ring is likely one of the most significant purchases a man will make in his life, both in terms of cost and meaning. Because of this, some can get carried away while shopping for one. Before you lose your head looking at all the shiny baubles, keep in mind that the ring is for your fiancée to wear, not you. It needs to be attuned to her preferences and make sense for the kind of life and career that she leads. For example, she might prefer something more customized; maybe something that has her initials engraved on it. However, if that is the case, then you might have to source a jeweller who can bring your vision into reality. For that, you can contact somebody from Noura’s Jewellery (those interested in locating their store can look for jewelry stores ottawa online) who are known to be quite popular among their customers for the kind of customization they do.
Anyway, by now, you should have taken note of her personal style enough to be able to make an educated guess about which metals she prefers, her favorite stones, and the style of jewelry she likes to wear. Keep these little nuggets of information in mind the next time you’re out shopping, or browsing through online jewelry stores like Naya Young for your potential purchase.
Going Over the Budget
Almost every engagement ring shopping guide you’ll find online lists “setting a budget” as a main priority, and for good reason. Again, it’s easy to get carried away while shopping around. According to a survey conducted by well-known wedding vendor site The Knot, over a third of all grooms spent more than they wanted to on an engagement ring. Not having a firm number in mind while browsing around for one will open you up to the possibility of choosing a bauble that is beyond your means.
There’s no reason to go into debt over an engagement ring, and you shouldn’t even consider anything you can’t afford. Jewellers are happy to help you out if you give them what you can work with, and they’ll be able to narrow the choices down for you. If a diamond is too costly, don’t worry; there are plenty of alternatives such as sapphire engagement rings in Australia that are just as beautiful and resilient.
Prioritizing Looks Over Comfort
Most engagement rings cost a pretty penny, and for this reason, many grooms-to-be want them to look the part. It is a showpiece of sorts; one that his fiancée’s friends, family, and colleagues will ooh and ahh over almost as soon as it’s slipped onto her finger. However, most men don’t possess an understanding of the experience of what wearing a ring with a centre stone setting daily is like, and will sometimes forget to consider the comfort part of the equation.
Consider the factors that can make a ring unwieldy for your partner to wear, and take her hobbies and lifestyle into consideration while you’re at it. A chunky band or a setting that’s too high will cut into her skin and snag onto fabrics. A ring that’s too heavy will likely see the inside of her jewellery box more than the sun. A prominent shank might not be a good fit for a woman who enjoys active pursuits or is in a career that has her using her hands a lot. A huge diamond sparkler may not be appropriate for your fiancée if she works in a high-risk field such as law enforcement or social work.
Finding the perfect engagement ring should be just like falling in love-it should be exciting and give you immeasurable joy. Just like love, though, it can take time, so don’t rush into a purchase. Keep these guidelines in mind and both you and the lady in your life should be happy with your decision.
