You’ve found the girl of your dreams, decided to pop the question and now you need to find a ring she’ll love as much as you, and that she'll wear every day for the rest of her life. So when you google ‘engagement rings’ and see a gazillion options with price tags from here to infinity, knowing what to buy and at what price can certainly feel overwhelming. So take a breath, and we’ll set you on the path to narrowing down that search and ultimately finding the right ring, or the right diamond, at the right price.
Planning a surprise and picking a ring for her might feel like you need CIA level undercover training, but here are some simple things to look out for to lead you to the right ring choice.
#1 What’s her style
Think about what she likes to wear most often, and what styles might complement that. For example if she's a fan of the latest fashions, check out celebrity trends. If she's a simple top and jeans kind of girl, stick to something clean and simple, and if she loves her bohemian florals and vintage dresses look for more of an antique style.
#2 Check out her existing jewelry
What does she wear on a daily basis? This can help you discern which metal she is most likely to want; cooler platinum or warm golds. Are her pieces simple in design or more ornate? This can give clues as to whether she would prefer the simple beauty of a solitaire or three stone setting, or something with more all-over sparkle like a halo setting or diamond encrusted shanks.
#3 Look out for hints
Keep your eyes and ears open. Be a social media spy. Notice if she compliments or comments on a particular ring as other friends, family or celebrities get engaged. When you're out and about is she drawn to anything in shop windows?
#4 Ask her friends
If you don't want to go it alone, don't be afraid to enlist the help of someone close to her. Her friends, sister, mom... she may even have told one of them what kind of ring she hopes for. Swear your co-conspirator to secrecy and they're sure to be able to find a way to get some intel, striking up conversation about so-and-so's ring, or glancing in a jewelers window next time they're out together.
#5 What’s her job like?
It may sound an odd question, but a ring with a high profile could be easily damaged or cause problems in certain lines of work, and you don’t want her ring to be banished to a drawer, only to be worn on special occasions. If she’s an athlete, doctor or landscape gardener you’ll want to consider something that has a low profile to minimize the risk of damage and make it wearable everyday.
All of this information gathering will help narrow down your search. We've put together guides on the different setting styles and diamond shapes available. These will help you drill down to find the right piece for the right price.
