Thinking of popping that question that many of you out there would love to be asked? WILL YOU MARRY ME? Those four words are riddled with excitement but also a little apprehension especially for the one asking the question.
But before you let your heart beat fast with nerves, you need to ask yourself how prepared are you for picking out the ring that you hope will be on your partner’s finger for the rest of their life? Well to help ease those troubled minds, we have asked diamond ring specialists for some advice on what you need to know when picking out a ring.
For those who want it to be a surprise, the Happy Ring House has these five tips for purchasing an engagment ring:
DETECTIVE WORK
Detective work is key. Most people will have a marked preference for either Yellow Gold or White Gold/Platinum. Observe her daily jewellery and take photos of the contents of her jewellery box. Sneaking a ring into your Jeweller to use as an approximate size guide can be a good idea- just make sure the ring is normally worn on her engagement ring finger.
CONSIDER THE WEDDING RING TOO
To avoid the cost of a custom made wedding ring, also consider the wedding ring when buying your engagement ring. Always check if a straight wedding ring fits snugly against the engagement ring unless you are happy with slight gaps. If not, you may have to have a wedding ring custom made which can be expensive.
MAKE A LIST
Draw up a hit list of reputable jewellers. By doing this you will feel comforted by their expertise and won’t get bogged down by the 4Cs and diamond certification. Rest assured, a reputable jeweller will have sourced carefully selected stones which have brought their reputation thus far. To use the old adage, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
BUDGET
Have a rough budget in mind. Too much choice can easily lead to confusion.
CHOOSING A STYLE
Diamond is the safest bet unless you have picked up indirect hints, thereby giving you confidence in your choice. Personally I love the more unusual, equally beautiful semi-precious gemstones such as Morganite and Kunzite however, there is a reason why these gemstones are predominantly set in dress rings. You must also consider the fact that certain gemstones are not up to the test of daily scratches and hard knocks – your jeweller will give you advice on the gemstone’s hardness and whether it is suitable as an engagement ring. Diamonds are neutral in colour, incredibly hard and you can never tire of their sparkle.
Below is a sample of the amazing engagement rings on offer at McDowells, The Happy Ring House:
For a couple who are deciding on a ring together, the team at Paul Sheeran offer you the following advice when it comes to picking that very special item.
DECIDE ON A SETTING
Lifestyle is an important factor when it comes to choosing a ring. What she wants and what she needs are key factors in the selection process. We will try and guide you to the ring that will suit her lifestyle. If she’s more active you should look for a lower profile and more secure mounting, which are less likely to get knocked against or caught on things. If she’s more of a glamour woman, look for a higher stone profile or a unique motif. The basic setting types you will find are: solitaire, diamond shoulders, three stone, halo or cluster setting.
TIMELESS STYLE
Getting married is one of the most important decisions a couple will ever make. An engagement ring is something a woman will want to wear forever. It needs to be a style that will stand the test of time, not something that caters to the vagaries of fashion. This is about eternity, not about being trendy. There are trends in engagement rings, but the most popular ring is probably a classic, traditional style. For engagement rings in particular, it is about longevity, about surpassing trends. When a diamond is the main attraction, it will usually be a dateless, timeless ring and will survive the whims of fashion.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FOUR C’S OF DIAMOND QUALITY
Before you begin to look at diamond engagement rings, it’s worth familiarising yourself with the Four “C’s” – cut, colour, clarity and carat. All must be considered important when comparing diamonds, but more than any other factor, it is how the diamond is cut that will determine its defining characteristic. The expert staff at Paul Sheeran Jewellers will offer a wealth of advice as you begin the selection process. You will also be safe in the knowledge that all gems are certified.
SHAPES AND METALS DO MATTER
A solitaire ring is still the most popular choice for couples who choose their engagement ring together. But just asking for a diamond solitaire still leaves you a multitude of options: would you like the ring in yellow, white, rose gold or platinum? Metal colour is a matter of personal preference and it is also a consideration since the appearance of a diamond’s colour is affected by its surroundings. And then there is the cut of the gem to consider. Round cut is the market leader with cushion and princess cuts the next most popular. Don’t let trends be the driving force of your purchase. Shape should also be a reflection of the woman who’s wearing it.
THINK AHEAD
It is also important that you consider your choice of wedding band when you select an engagement ring, as they will have to sit together on the hand. A wide, plain, flat band will need a very different gem-set ring to one that is a narrow D-shaped style.
Here is just a snippet of the vast variety of engagement rings on offer in Paul Sheeran’s Jewellers, Johnsons Court, Dublin 2:
Here’s more jewellers where you can find a variety of engagement rings:
Now that you’ve got everything you need to know about engagement rings and where to find them, the only thing left to do is… pop the question!
