Buying an engagement ring is an exciting experience. You’ve found someone you want to spend the rest of your life with and you want to ask them to marry you. This is a huge moment and one that you should certainly savour and enjoy. However, for many people, this is also a stressful time. Not only is there the stress of planning the proposal and actually asking someone to marry you, but there’s also the stress of buying an engagement ring.
While buying a diamond engagement ring in itself doesn’t have to be stressful, it’s easy to understand why many people feel that it is. Not only is this an expensive purchase, but it’s also a very meaningful one. That adds additional pressure that you may not feel in other purchasing situations. Plus, when you add in the fact that most people who are buying a diamond engagement ring have little to no prior experience in purchasing high-end jewelry, you can see why there is often stress and anxiety around this time.
The good news is that buying a diamond engagement ring doesn’t have to stressful or complicated. Here are some tips for buying a diamond engagement ring in 2023.
Diamond Research
Before you head out and buy a diamond engagement ring, you’ll want to do some research. After all, this is an important and monumental purchase, right? When you’re buying a ring, it’s important to understand what makes one diamond more beautiful or more valuable than another. Being able to compare two diamonds can help you choose the nicer stone, help you get a better value from your purchase, and a lot more.
One of the first things you’ll want to learn are the 4Cs of diamond quality. This refers to the cut, color, clarity, and carat weight of a diamond.
The cut of a diamond doesn’t so much refer to its shape as much as it does its symmetry, polish, and proportions. The overall look of a diamond is largely determined by its cut. If a stone is well-cut, it will have exceptional brilliance and sparkle, while a poorly-cut stone will look dull and uninteresting. It’s important to remember this as a stone that has better grades in other categories could still look less pleasing than a diamond that receives lower grades but has a superior cut.
Diamonds are also graded by their color. A complete absence of color is the most desirable.
Clarity is a measure of the size and number of minute imperfections or inclusions found in a diamond. Note that only the finest diamonds are free of inclusions, but that these stones are also the most valuable. However, some stones have minor imperfections that are not visible to the unaided eye, and these stones can be a good purchase.
The final C in the 4Cs is carat weight. This refers to the overall weight of a diamond, with larger stones being rarer and therefore more valuable.
For more information on diamonds, please visit our diamond education center. This section of our site gives you important details on diamond quality, how to buy the right diamond, diamond care, and a lot more.
2023 Engagement Ring Trends
Each season and each year has its own trends. Some 2023 engagement ring trends include colored stones, vintage cuts, halo settings, and rose gold bands. However, what is more important than any trend is the personal style of the person receiving the ring. When you’re buying a diamond engagement ring, never forget that you’re getting it for a specific person. The reality is there is no such thing as “the best” ring, and even if there was that wouldn’t matter. What you should be looking for is the best ring for your future spouse.
Before you buy a ring, think of your special someone’s style. What do they like to wear? What sort of jewelry do they already own? This can help guide you on your search for a ring. You’ll probably also want to think about their personality a bit. Are they flashy and adventurous? Do they prefer classic styles or are they more modern? Asking yourself these questions can give you another clue as to what type of ring they may like.
