How to Choose an Engagement Ring

The time has come in your relationship to take the next step, and you're excited to make it official with a proposal and an engagement ring especially for her. It's an investment, something she'll wear forever, and a piece of jewelry that will likely become an heirloom in your family. Make shopping for "the ring" a great experience.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Decide if you want your girlfriend to be involved in the selection of her engagement ring, or if you want to make the ring itself a surprise.

2. Seek the advice or her sister, mother or friends in selecting a style of ring that is right for her if'd you'd prefer she didn't help choose it.

3. Plan a special ring shopping day with your soon-to-be fiance' if you'd like her to help choose this meaningful piece of jewelry.

4. Find a good jewelry store to work with. Ask married friends where they purchased their rings. You want a reliable store with excellent customer service.

5. Determine your budget. You can spend as little or as much as you want to when purchasing a diamond engagement ring. Set a budget and shop from there. Your jeweler can point you in the right direction regarding price range.

6. Choose a stone. Engagement rings can be significant investment, so take your time and learn all that you can about these precious stones. The important elements to know are the 4 Cs: clarity, color, cut, and carat.

7. Choose a setting and band. An important question here is what type of metal to select. It will help to look at your girlfriend's current jewelry to see what her preference is between gold and silver colors. Silver metals used in wedding bands are typically white gold or platinum.

8. Purchase your ring and start thinking about how you'll pop the question.

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