When it comes to shopping for handmade engagement rings, the choices can be overwhelming.
There so many different sizes, styles, settings and stones to explore, and it’s important to take gradings, certifications and price ranges into consideration too.
But don’t despair. The perfect engagement ring is out there, you just have to know what to look for!
Follow our 6 steps below to make buying an engagement ring a straightforward but still special experience…
1. Know Your Budget
The first thing you need to do when buying an engagement ring is to have a price in mind. It can be easy to get carried away in the moment, but there’s nothing like overspending to take the shine off the occasion.
Australian couples spend an average of 2-month salary or more on an engagement ring. Before falling head over heels for a ring you may not be able to afford, set a limit and then browse options within that range.
2. Measure Your Ring Finger
It sounds obvious, but knowing your ring size before choosing an engagement ring is a must. Luckily, it’s something you can work out easily enough on your own:
- Take a piece of string and wrap it around the base of your ring finger.
- Mark where the string first overlaps with a pen.
- Stretch the length of string out along a ruler or measuring tape, and take down the length in millimetres. This is the circumference of your finger.
- To calculate the diameter, divide the circumference by pi (3.14).
- Use our ring size chart below to compare the diameter of your finger to standard ring sizes.
3. Consider The 4 C's
If you’ve been looking at diamond rings, chances are you’ve heard of the 4 C’s. These refer to cut, colour, clarity and carat:
- A diamond’s cut will determine the intensity of its sparkle, taking proportion, polish and reflections into account.
- Clarity is the purity and rarity of a stone and whether any blemishes are visible under microscope.
- The Gemmological Institute of America’s (GIA) International Colour Scale measures the natural hues found in diamonds, ranging from “D” (colourless) to “Z” (light yellow).
- Carat is the unit of measurement used to describe the weight of a diamond, not its size. One carat = .20 grams.
You can use this guide in one of two ways. One, it can help you find a diamond as close to rare and flawless as possible if that’s your preference. Or two, you can use it to just compare and contrast.
Look at different diamond shapes and settings too. Common centre stone varieties include round brilliant, cushion cut, oval, pear, emerald cut, princess, heart, marquise, radiant and Asscher. Sizes range from small to large.
4. Learn The Stone’s Source
Whilst on the topic of diamond types, it’s handy to work out your preference before you buy. Do you want naturally mined diamonds or lab-grown diamonds?
Here at Rod Valenz, we offer both options.
To the naked eye, there are no visible differences between natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds. They both share the same physical, chemical and optical properties.
Your choice can come down to price, origins and the environment. All of our man-made diamonds come with a certified, laboratory grown diamond report and are 100% carbon neutral. Our mined diamonds all have a GIA natural diamond report.
5. Explore All Styles
When it comes to finding the perfect engagement ring, you should consider its overall appearance too.
Engagement ring styles range from traditional to contemporary, common to unique. You might want something that makes a statement, or something a little more subtle. Whatever you choose should suit your personality. Don’t place too much importance on trends. Shop to your taste.
We have five key styles of engagement ring with bands made of Platinum, palladium white gold, yellow gold and rose gold:
6. Custom Design
If you’ve searched high and low but still haven’t found a ring that takes your fancy, you can always design your own.
A bespoke engagement ring is a truly one-of-a-kind piece, and you can have one made up from scratch with the help of one of our in–house designers.
In your initial consultation, you can explain the look you’re after, select the diamond(s) you want and the band colour. When that has been turned into a digital design, our jewellers will work on bringing your vision to life. Once the ring is set and polished, all you need to do is come and collect it.