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Top 5 Things to Know Before Buying an Engagement Ring - New World Diamonds - fine jewelry, engagement rings and great gifts

Top 5 Things to Know Before Buying an Engagement Ring

Shopping for engagement rings? Before we dive in — congratulations! What an exciting time in your life. We know how special this time is in your life, and we want to help you be as well-equipped as possible when shopping for diamonds rings. From ring size to style preferences through to the boring stuff like return information, this blog lists the top five things to know when it comes to buying an engagement ring.

1. Your Budget

Okay, this is probably obvious, and one of the first things you have already outlined for yourself. But, we’d be remiss not to point out that establishing your budget up front is a smart move. There are also some exciting things to share when it comes to your ring budget, too. Remember the old rule about how a ring should cost two to three month’s worth of salary? It’s now an outdated rule, thanks to how we’ve smartened up to the likes of marketing campaigns that kept us spending more than we needed. Another bit of good news is in the wide-spread availability and acceptance of lab-grown diamonds. Because they aren’t overpriced like Earth-formed diamonds, you can get so much more ring for your buck! At New World Diamonds, we’re proud to offer the most affordable diamonds in the market, period. You can compare our prices here.

2. Diamond Certification Basics

If you’re shopping for diamond rings, then you’ve probably already heard of the four c’s: carat, cut, color, and clarity. These are the standards used to “grade” a diamond, which is essential if you want to get a quality diamond and know all about its unique characteristics. You should absolutely be asking jewelers to view the certificates for the diamonds that you’re looking at since the certificates share all the information about the four c’s and serve as proof of the quality of your diamond.  Be sure to also verify that an independent lab is the one issuing the diamond certificate in order to avoid conflicts of interest. If you want to learn more about diamond certification, you can read this blog we wrote about what the certification entails and why it matters.

We also want to point out that if you’re going to opt for an Earth-formed diamond, you’ll also want to ask for the Kimberley Process certificate. This is the certification that’s in place to try to stop the buy and trade of blood diamonds. However, be aware that the Kimberley Process is far from perfect, and the only way to get a conflict-free diamond is to buy a lab-grown diamond.

3. His/Her Ring Size

Fair enough, this one may seem obvious as well. But what might not be so obvious is how you go about finding out your loved one’s ring size.  If your significant other knows an engagement is on the way, you can easily pop into any jewelry shop and get his/her finger sized. However, if you’re planning to surprise your loved one with an engagement ring, it may be a bit more tricky to secure that magic number.  We’ve got you covered with sneaky ways to find a ring size. While the easiest way might be to just take one of his/her other rings (make sure it’s one that really fits them) to a jeweler, there are some creative things you can do, too. For example, you can try to gauge your partner’s ring size by studying their fingers when you hold hands. Try to notice if they have any fingers that may be close in size to your own fingers. Or, enlist a friend to go ring shopping with your significant other — and make sure that your partner gets his/her finger sized while they’re shopping (just for fun).

4. His/Her Style (Stone and Metal Preferences)

This is probably the most fun part of diamond ring shopping. From choosing the perfect cut, shape, and color of a diamond, through to deciding how you’ll set the stone(s), creating or finding the engagement ring of your partner’s dream is exciting. Whether that perfect ring already exists or you’re designing a custom ring, you’ll still need to know some basic style preferences from your partner.

White diamonds aren’t the only stones that go in engagement rings anymore, either. You may opt for a totally different type of stone — or decide to go for a dazzling colored diamond! Thanks to lab-grown diamonds, colored diamonds are more widely available (and affordable) than ever before. You’ll also want to determine what kind of metal to use for the setting. While gold is the most durable, you need to know if your partner prefers white gold, yellow gold, or rose gold. Our engagement rings are available with each of the different types of gold, and a wide variety of styles are available. If you don’t see a ring that you love, or if you want to buy one of our white or colored loose stones, you can work with our boutique artisans and designers to create the perfect diamond ring.

5. Return Info

And now for the least fun part of shopping for diamond rings. Although you’d never anticipate that something would go wrong with your engagement, it’s best to be prepared in case the ring doesn’t fit, your partner wants a different color diamond or different color of gold, or something else goes wrong. Be sure to ask your jewelers about the return policy and what it entails. At New World Diamonds, we return all receipt purchases over $100 for free within 30 days of purchase. We also offer free resizing within 30 days of purchase. Additionally, we have a unique exchange program in which you get a lifetime credit toward exchanges and upgrades. Any diamond you purchase from us can be exchanged for credit or upgrade equivalent to the original purchase price for a new diamond or jewelry that is at least 50% greater value.

Does this guide cover all of your questions about buying engagement rings? If not, feel free to reach out to us any time! We’d love to help you in your quest for finding the perfect diamond ring.

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