Why do people mostly associate wedding nerves with women? It’s important to realize that us men can get super nervous too. Especially because when it comes to proposing, the first step of marriage, the ball is in our court. No matter how smoothly your love story has been, proposing to your girlfriend is a daunting move. I speak from experience. I met my girlfriend five years ago, and two years ago, I knew she was the one.
The decision came easily, almost like an epiphany. But the part about choosing a ring for her left me puzzled. It wasn’t as simple as rushing into a jewelry store and picking a random ring. Don’t believe me? A survey concluded that the average time spent looking for an engagement ring is 3.5 months.
If you’re on this page, you might have met the one and are ready to take your relationship to the next level. For that, I’m here to guide you. I’m a picky person and spent a lot of time researching, planning, and making sure everything went smoothly.
So, you can trust me. Here’s how I went about selecting the perfect ring.
Step 1: Plan Your Budget
The biggest shame about engagement rings is that they’re always assumed to be expensive and extravagant. That’s incorrect. There was a time when men would rather go into debt than buy a ring within their budget. Thankfully, we’ve moved past that era. Because going into debt is definitely not romantic.
So, calculate your budget and see how much you can afford to spend on this symbol of loyalty and love. If you’re looking for a better price, consider buying from the sales section. However, when you’re ready to propose, you might not be lucky enough to encounter a sale.
But don’t worry. You can find jewelry shopping coupons and make the most of them. That way, you can enjoy discounts.
Step 2: Investigate Your Girl
After completing the first step, it’s time to put on your detective hat. If you want to surprise her, you’ll have to be stealthy. Find out her preferences; what does she like more? Do your research. Figure out her ring size without her knowing.
How will you do it? Here’s advice from Catbird co-founders Rony Vardi and Leigh Plessner: “If possible, sneakily wear a ring she wears on her ring finger on your own finger and mark where it hits. If she wears it on her left hand, make sure to size down 1/4. You can use a ring sizer to check the ring size that hits the same mark.”
Step 3: Choose the Band
Choose from various metal bands. Common ones include gold, platinum, silver, palladium, rose gold, and more. Less common choices include titanium, cobalt, and tungsten. Each band has its own qualities—some are good, some are average. Personally, I’d recommend you go for a silver-colored metal as it’s very trendy, and women often prefer it.
Step 4: Pick the Diamond
Let me tell you straight; women love flaunting their rings. People talk about your ring. While it might not be your concern, you’ll want to get her a ring she wants to show off to everyone. The main and most complex step in the selection process is choosing the diamond. I won’t beat around the bush, or simplify it to confuse you.
The diamond selection involves the 4Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat. These constitute the quality and cost of the diamond. Here are the 4Cs:
- Cut: The cut determines the diamond’s sparkle. The proportions of the diamond should be just right. Not too deep or too shallow.
- Color: Diamonds come in various colors, ranging from Z to D, from colorless to light yellow. The color of the diamond depends on your preference and budget. The closer to D, the rarer and more expensive.
- Clarity: Clarity refers to how many flaws the diamond has. It can be measured using a loupe. Choose one from the SI1 and SI2 range. These flaws are called inclusions. The more inclusions, the lower the brilliance.
- Carat: This is the weight of the diamond. The heavier it is, the bigger the diamond. However, skilled craftsmen can make the diamond appear larger than its actual carat weight.
Step 5: Choose the Diamond Shape
Diamonds come in various shapes, including round, princess, oval, heart, and pear. Choose one your future wife might like. Round is the most popular shape, surpassing others by 53%. The second most popular shape is the princess cut.
Step 6: Determine the Setting
The sixth step gets you closer to the final decision. When you go to the jewelry store, don’t be surprised to learn about various ring settings. You can choose from eternity rings, halo rings, tension rings, gypsy rings, or Tiffany rings, among others. Notice which type of ring your girlfriend usually wears and figure out which ring setting will make her happy.
Step 7: Strike a Deal
Rings don’t necessarily have to be sold at fixed prices. You can actually negotiate the cost with the jeweler. If you have a budget, you can forgo the entire customization process and choose a design that’s already made. Also, don’t rush to buy a diamond just because of the pressure. While diamonds are a popular choice for engagement rings, there are several other gemstones to choose from.
Once everything is set, don’t forget to discuss the ring’s warranty, guarantee, insurance, return policy, etc., with the seller.
If you’re wondering which engagement ring ended up on the finger of my beloved, it’s a diamond eternity ring with a platinum band. You see, eternity means forever, and I don’t regret being an incurable romantic. I wanted to add a bit of sparkle to the platinum band because she once mentioned how sleek it looks.
In conclusion, love may be blind, but proposing is planned. So, make sure your ring reflects your love and your willingness to pursue a happy life with your lady.
