Credits: www.anellodifidanzamento.it
If you want to formalize your relationship, if you are close to the “big step”, or if you simply want to give your other half a ring that symbolizes your feelings, then you are in the right place: nothing would make me happier than giving you a hand to celebrate in your love meaningfully.
The engagement ring is probably the first – but hopefully not the last! – truly exciting and memorable jewel of life. According to a survey by The Knot.com, a woman can look at her engagement ring thousands of times over the course of her life, but I believe the same is true also for men, especially romantic ones!
Start early and think of a model that both of you will love and that your other half will always want to wear. In any case, don’t be frightened by the burden of planning a “long term” jewel because you can make changes at a later stage, for example in order to celebrate a special anniversary.
The engagement ring often serves as a stylistic starting point for all the jewels that will subsequently be purchased by the couple. For this reason, a list of topics and tips may come in handy for choosing the perfect ring.
Buying an engagement ring is a romantic experience, but sometimes the amount of information to keep in mind can seem overwhelming. Do not worry, we will take one step at a time and on the contrary, be full of enthusiasm and curiosity! With the right preparation, it will also be fun!
- SET A BUDGET
Before even talking about styles, stones and many other fascinating topics, I would suggest you to establish your budget right away, at least approximately. Do not think that by addressing this topic all poetry disappears, on the contrary: from my point of view, it is right to have a pinch of rationality at this moment as a sign of solidity and reliability. It would be nonsense to spend all your savings on a ring and then no longer have a penny for a sofa, a vacation or any other project of the couple, right?
Buying the engagement ring is a joyful and magical moment, but since the range of models to choose from is practically endless, you should have a price range in mind, without feeling embarrassed.
Do not be influenced by that silly tradition according to which you “must” spend the equivalent of at least three months of your salary to purchase an engagement ring. This custom is the result of a massive advertising campaign of the 1950s and it doesn’t make any sense. Spend what you deem appropriate and remember that your soul mate is with you because she loves you and that the ring is a symbol of your relationship and not the reason why you are together. There are really lovely and very original rings sold at very acceptable prices.
So, set a maximum limit and start thinking with that in mind. There are several topics to think about and dream about!
- HER LIFESTYLE
Before choosing the ring, I would like to make you reflect on these two points:
1- do you want your girlfriend to wear the ring on a daily basis, or only on special occasions?
2- what lifestyle does she lead? Let me explain: is she a sporty type? Does she love hiking and paragliding or does she spend her days at her desk, in front of her PC? Does she love gardening? Does she cook all the time? Does she play any musical instruments? Does she carry out an artisanal job, does she work with her hands?
These are some questions that I invite you to ask yourself in order to understand which type of ring, stone and setting best suits your girlfriend’s lifestyle. The variations are endless and you will see them later. You will find that not all stones have the same degree of hardness and that not all settings (however super-safe) are appropriate for an archaeologist who digs into the ground. So it’s important to consider your girlfriend’s tastes, but it’s equally important to evaluate her lifestyle.
- HER TASTE IN JEWELRY
According to a study conducted by TheKnot.com, 9 out of 10 brides-to-be are somehow involved in the selection of the engagement ring and as many as 95% leave clues about their preferences. Adorable modern Tom Thumb!
If you intend to buy the ring, you must choose a piece of jewelry that you like very much, but of course don’t forget the tastes of your other half! Perhaps she has already given you precise information on the style she prefers, but if this is not the case (or if you want to add a pinch of your personality), we can think about it a bit. (Of course, if you decide to shop together, there is no need to investigate)
If you are a traditionalist and want to take your girlfriend by surprise, before you rush to the jeweler, I encourage you to explore a little. Think back to any clues she might have dropped here and there while strolling through shops, or while gossiping about celebrities or while watching a romantic movie together…
Make sure you choose a ring that fits perfectly with your fiancée’s style. Try to find out if she is attentive to the latest trends or if she is a classic type, if she loves vintage or asymmetrical shapes, if she prefers diamonds or colored stones.
Sometimes the most favourite style can be expressed in different ways: for example, if she loves furniture with clean and modern lines, she will most likely be thrilled to receive an emerald cut diamond, or a square shaped one. If, on the contrary, she has a slightly eclectic or bohemian personality, why not evaluate a triangular or marquise-shaped stone?
If you feel like you haven’t registered any particular signs, but are afraid of making a mistake in choosing the perfect ring, then you may want to consider asking her sister or best friend for help, making them swear to keep their mouths closed, under penalty of no invitation to the wedding …
Go on a patrol and diligently observe if / what type of jewelry she likes to wear: small and delicate or large and massive, linear or elaborate and so on. Pay attention to the metal, the color, the style (modern or vintage, simple or sophisticated, etc.). I suggest you to observe and study for a couple of weeks. Take note of what you see and rest assured that it will be useful: if you buy something in line with what she already likes, you can’t go wrong.
Once you have ascertained what your girlfriend’s tastes are, you have two opportunities: buy a branded jewel or go to a goldsmith’s workshop and get a ring tailored made for her.
If she is an antique style lover, the market offers old rings, and new rings with a vintage style. In order to clarify:
- antique rings: they have been crafted at the beginning of 1900, or even before. In order to be defined “antique”, an engagement ring must be more than 50 years old;
- vintage rings: they are copies of antique rings, or modern rings crafted following antique styles and techniques.
(If you love antique or vintage style, I suggest you to have a look at the following brands: Erstwhile Jewelry, Victor Barbone, The One I Love NYC, Trumpet & Horn in the United States, or Stephanie Windsor, Charlotte Antique Jewels and Antique Ring Boutique in Great Britain.)
You might also consider the idea of giving her a family heirloom, but first of all make sure she likes this idea, because some women prefer to receive a new ring, and dislike pieces of jewelry carrying the energy of other lives.
In conclusion, I invite you to think about the colours of the ring. I am referring to the precious stone with which engagement rings are generally (but not necessarily) crowned, and also to the metal. In fact, who says you have to go with a diamond? Diamond is surely the most common choice, however in recent years, more and more engagement rings with colored gems are getting popular: ruby, sapphire, emerald, aquamarine, amethyst, garnet, topaz, opal and pearls! Pay attention: some gemstones are not good for everyday wear. If you want to learn more about this, please read this article about the Mohs scale.
When it comes to the metal of the band, platinum and gold (in its three colours yellow, white and red) are always very popular because they are durable and hypoallergenic. Furthermore e demand of palladium, tungsten appear to be increasing and most of all recycled metal is becoming the perfect choice for green couples.
Once you have clarified all the above issues, take a look at our recommendations regarding models and settings!
Source: www.theknot.com