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buying an engagement ring

Did you know that the average engagement ring budget in the country within the last year climbed to a minimum of $10,000? This minimum budget for buying an engagement ring has significantly risen from the 2019 average of approximately $7000.

Why are people rushing to get their hands on the best engagement ring? Asking your true love to spend the rest of their life with you is a monumental step.

Therefore, you can never show up empty-handed. Even if you romantically get down on one knee, you need something to show for it. Choosing the right ring from the best jeweler can be a lengthy process.

It can also be too expensive if you are not careful and get carried away. Here is all the information you need to know about questions to ask when you purchase an engagement ring the next time you pop over to your local jeweler.

1. Why Buying an Engagement Ring Matters?

Popping the question can be extremely daunting for many reasons. As you are ready to hop down on one knee, you must have the best engagement ring in your pocket.

Even though you are confident that your partner will say yes to your love, it is always worth investing in a rock that will blow them away. An engagement ring is a proud symbol of the love you profess to someone.

Think about it like a souvenir they carry around for the rest of their lives. The engagement ring would always remind them about how you courageously proposed to them.

They will fondly look at their ring and get butterflies in their stomachs while thinking about you and how excited they are to spend the rest of their lives with you.

When you grow old and have children and grandchildren together, they may fondly use your ring to conduct their own proposals. Think about how much it meant to your grandmother when you presented her engagement ring to your future bride as a gesture of eternal love.

Engagement rings are fascinating investments because they have so much sentiment. Otherwise, you can still significantly make your money back if you need to sell it down the line for whatever reason.

2. How Do I Shop the Right Way?

Buying an engagement ring does not have to be rocket science. Even though you are tempted to spend a lot of money, you must think about the perfect symbol that defines your relationship.

There is no reason to get a ring that the Kardashians are flaunting on their hands. You will come across plenty of rings that can fit any budget. However, rings are now very intricate and detailed.

Therefore, it is up to you to do some research before visiting your local jeweler. Then you can pick their brains and ask questions to help you choose the right types of rings without breaking the bank.

You must consider finger sizes, stones, metals, and settings. The best jeweler will have spent years crafting designs to help you find the best for your budget. It is necessary to have a clear understanding of your partner’s aesthetic interests and style before choosing a ring.

Then you also need to understand the different types of gemstones and their shapes and colors. Designers make an almost infinite variety of engagement rings. Each of them has its own characteristics and style.

This is why choosing one to express your personality and individuality is tricky. It is up to you to ask the right questions to ensure you take advantage of your local jeweler’s knowledge and expertise.

Then you can easily find a ring that speaks to you when a professional can guide you through the process.

3. How Much Can I Afford?

This is the most fundamental question that most couples ask before shopping for an engagement ring. After all, you would not buy a car unless you had a budget.

The same goes for engagement rings. You must consider stone carat sizes, designers, and other aspects of the engagement ring, especially if you want it to showcase your personality.

You need to have a serious discussion with yourself and/or your partner to decide how much you are willing to spend. Otherwise, you may end up in unnecessary debt with marital issues before the wedding.

Remember that an engagement ring is an investment that your partner will wear for many decades. Unless you split up for any reason. Many people will pass their rings down to their children as well.

This is because an engagement ring is a powerful representation of the love that endures. It connects families while bringing in new members. Therefore, you need to spend enough to make it a valuable investment that will stand the test of time.

It is up to you if your budget is too tight and you want to put the money towards your first home together instead. Ultimately, this is a very personal decision only you and your beloved can make, depending on your priorities.

4. Do I Love the Style?

After settling on a budget that does not cause a massive dent in your wallet, the next most essential question to ask is whether your local jeweler has your favorite style.

This is because engagement rings come in numerous varieties and styles. You can find some that are different sizes and made of gold or platinum. Many will also have diamonds if you are into those.

Knowing the style of engagement ring you want before visiting the jeweler will give you an upper hand. Then you will not get swayed by more expensive rings that a salesman might try to pitch to you.

You can easily stay within your budget and focus on the unique style you want. Although this is easier to do together, many couples like the element of surprise during proposals. You may wish to propose to your partner without them knowing that you are buying a ring.

Then it is up to you to keep your ears open for anything they might say in passing about the type of ring they like. Alternatively, you can ask your partner’s friends to provide some insights by secretly doing recon work for you behind the scenes.

5. Does My Finger Fit?

Although thinking about the ring size may not be the first thing that comes to mind when shopping for an engagement ring, it is a crucial aspect to consider.

If your significant other does not go shopping with you, you may struggle to buy a ring that fits. This can also be tricky because many people do not know their ring sizes.

You may also have difficulty measuring your partner’s ring size without them catching onto your plan. One of the best ways to find your partner’s ring size is by secretly borrowing one of their other rings.

It would be best to take one they do not wear often, or else they will know you temporarily stole it. You must bring this to the jeweler, and trained staff can measure the size using their special tools.

Then you can secretly return the ring where you found it without your partner knowing. Even if you buy the ring and get the incorrect size, it is not the end of the world. Most jewelers will have in-house teams and design partners skilled at resizing rings.

6. When Can I Pop the Question?

Many people wonder when the best time is to pop the question because it is such an important thing to decide. This is because some rings can be bought on the spot.

There is no golden rule that you need to buy a highly personalized ring that requires a long time to make and deliver. If you are happy with a ring you see in the shop, you can buy it immediately and propose to your partner as soon as you get home.

However, if your ring is custom-made and needs time to arrive, you will need to wait until it is ready before popping the question.

Remember that things like engraving can take some time, so you should always push back your proposal date until the ring is ready. Otherwise, you may have to opt for a regular ring in the shop if you cannot wait to propose.

7. What Is Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat?

Color, clarity, cut, and carat make up the 4 C’s you need to think about when shopping for an engagement ring. They represent the different scales on which all diamonds for engagement rings are classified and ranked.

When you brush up on these terms, you can better understand what your local jeweler is talking about. They will use these terms quite often. Therefore, it is up to you to familiarize yourself with them so you do not look confused at the store.

8. Should I Special Order the Ring?

Remember that every ring is different. Even if you buy them from the same jeweler. Some rings can be purchased immediately at the store, while others may need to be ordered.

Custom engagement rings will take some time to arrive, especially if you want something special engraved. Therefore, you should always do your homework in advance and make your plans to know when the best time is to propose.

The minute you find a ring you like, you should ask how long it will take for delivery. For instance, a ring may not be ready for weeks or months. Then you may need to rearrange your plans or pick another engagement ring.

9. What Sizes Are There?

Most jewelers carry a standard range of sizes. However, you can always find smaller or larger rings than the usual ones in stock.

When buying an engagement ring, it is always best to ask about sizing options. This way, you can ensure that you always get what you want.

10. Can It Be Modified?

Your engagement ring is a lifelong commitment. No matter how much you love it today, you never know what the future holds. Someday, your spouse may want to alter the ring or upgrade it to something bigger and brighter.

This is where you may think about adding more stones for that extra sparkle. These options are possible. Therefore, you should ask your jeweler about the upgrade options they can provide down the road.

11. Should I Engrave?

Engraving a ring is a personal choice. If you want to add a touch of yourself by engraving, it is always possible to ask your jeweler to arrange this.

You can engrave the outside or inside of your ring band with ease. But you should ask your jeweler how this would affect the design.

12. What Are My Payment Options?

Remember that engagement rings are a large purchase and investment. Therefore, many jewelers might offer payment plans to help you avoid paying the entire sum upfront.

However, always check with your local jeweler because the rules and policies about payment options can differ from one business to another.

13. What Is the Exchange Policy?

Sometimes engagement rings get damaged, or the people buying them change their minds about what they want. You should speak to your jeweler to exchange or return the engagement ring.

Always research their return policy. Then you can rest easy knowing that you have options instead of losing all your money.

14. How to Clean?

Engagement rings can withstand a lot of wear and tear. However, remember that they are delicate and not invincible. You need to keep your ring safe from saltwater, sunscreen, sweat, and humidity.

Otherwise, you may accidentally tarnish your ring. The best way to clean engagement rings is at home with a soft baby toothbrush. Then you need to add some soap and warm water.

However, it is always best to ask your jeweler this question so that they can recommend the safest cleaning method. Remember to also get your ring professionally cleaned at least twice a year.

Find the Best Engagement Ring Today

Now that you know the best 14 questions to ask while buying an engagement ring, it is time to go shopping. Do not be afraid to write these questions down.

They should be used as a checklist while you shop for the perfect ring. Contact us today and we can help you find the best design to showcase eternal love unlike any other.