How To Shop for Engagement Rings

When shopping for an engagement ring, the first thing that you will want to consider is the actual shape of the stone. You will need to find a stone shape that your fiancé will love, and there are a number of different shapes to choose from. When you visit a jeweler, see the different stone shapes they have in the store. The common stone shapes available are the round, emerald, escher, radiant, princess, cushion, pear, oval and marquise cuts. You will only understand the difference in shape once you see the actual rings themselves, so it may be a good idea to ask the jeweler for samples of these stone shapes first. From here, you may be able to already choose the type of stone shape your fiancé will like. The jeweler may also have different stone shapes for you to consider - ask to see if there are any new pieces in the store that do not fall into these general stone shape types.

Next, you will need to consider how the stone is set into the band of the ring. It may surprise you to know that there are a variety of ways to set a stone into a band to create a ring. The setting is of particular importance because the setting can set the tone of the entire ring - certain settings are linked to different periods in history as well. The general setting types are as follows: prong, three-stone, baguette, bezel, half bezel, tension, channel, channel end and pave. Again, ask your jeweler to show you samples of the different settings as well. By this point, you may already have an idea of what you want. Based on the stone shape and the setting along, you may have already formed certain preferences in your head. Don't be afraid to mix and match designs to see if the ring you come up with is what you know your fiancé will like.

If, at this point, you are still unsure of what your fiancé would like, it may be time to do a little detective work. While you may be aware of her sense of style when it comes to clothes or accessories, a woman's tastes in jewelry can also be completely unrelated. There is a deeper sense of style when it comes to jewelry, so if you want to be sure that the ring you get is something she'll fall in love with, do your research. Talk to some of her family members - the ones you are close to, who won't spill the beans on your engagement surprise - and get their take on her sense of style. Chat with her friends, try to fish for information on her preferences in jewelry. While you may not get an exact, pinpoint answer, you will be closer to understanding her preference in jewelry.

The last thing to take note of is that you should be able to adhere to your budget. Buying an engagement ring does not automatically mean that you should go broke doing it. If you are on a budget, talk to your jeweler and see what he can do for the amount you are willing to pay. There are always workarounds when it comes to these things, such as a change in the setting or getting a larger band with a smaller stone. Keep your mind open to all the jeweler's ideas and he should be able to help you decide on what to finally get.