Once you’ve popped the question and she’s said yes, it’s all about the ring – you’re responsible for choosing a ring she has to fall in love with as much as she loves you! No pressure. It’s hardly surprising that many men choose to play it safe with a solitaire setting. So how do you choose something more special that will wow your bride to be?
We asked Vashi.com, diamond and wedding ring suppliers, who let us in on a few trade secrets.
What’s her style?
“A white gold band with a solitaire setting is certainly in fashion, and it’s a safe and traditional choice. But think about your potential bride to be. Is she the traditional type, or does she have more of an alternative or vintage style? Is her personal style consistent or does she like to change her look? All of these factors will help you to discover a ring that’s right for her.”
Look for hints
“If marriage has been on the cards for a while, then there may be some not-so-subtle hints lying around. Check her Pinterest account to see if she’s liked or shared any pictures that might help; see if she’s left any magazines or catalogues open, listen out for comments. For example ‘I really love Kim Kardashian’s ring’ probably isn’t just an expression of admiration, it means you should start looking at emerald-cut rings with halo settings.”
Ask her friends
“Find a friend of hers that you trust not to spill the beans and ask for help. Yes, she wants something that you chose but I’m sure she won’t begrudge you getting some sound advice. Chances are she’s talked to her friends about her likes and dislikes, so a friend who can keep a secret may be able to point you in the right direction.”
Use a dummy ring
“If you’re absolutely convinced that only she could pick her perfect ring, then let her. Many men propose with a stand-in ring and then go ring shopping together. It might not sound romantic but if she is someone who really knows her own mind, she will thank you for it later.
The most important thing about proposing is getting to marry the girl of your dreams, and while the ring is important, don’t lose sleep over it. She will love whatever you choose because of what it represents, so be creative, brave and make a real statement about your feelings for her.”
How to buy
DiamondGeezer.com is a second-generation family-run firm based in the Cotswolds – we asked them for their expert advice on buying an engagement ring.
“The 4Cs are a universal grading system for comparing the quality of each individual diamond. However, we think that there are two more Cs that should be considered why purchasing that special diamond – Certification and Confidence.”
Carat
Diamonds and other gemstones are measured in metric carats; however, the carat is the weight of the diamond, which does not necessarily reflect on the diamond’s size. One diamond may look bigger than another but might in fact weigh less.
Colour
Diamonds are valued by how closely they approach colourless – the more colourless they get, the higher the value of the diamond (unless you’re buying coloured diamonds, of course). At the top of the scale is the letter D, which represents colourless, and the scale then has an increasing presence of a colour until it finishes at the letter Z, which is a light yellow colour.
Clarity
Diamonds are formed deep within the earth under extreme heat and pressure, meaning that they often contain unique birthmarks, either internal (known as inclusions) or external (known as pique).
Cut
A short word with a lot of meaning. The cut affects the proportions, symmetry and finish of the diamond and it is an extremely important feature to consider. The five-point scale starts with Poor and escalates to Excellent.
Certification
This validates the diamond’s characteristics and it means that the diamond has passed some of the strictest guidelines. There are five major laboratories including:
- GIA (Gemological Institute of America)
- (American Gemological Society)
- HRD (Antwerp World Diamond Centre)
- IGI (International Gemological Institute)
- EGL (European Gemological Laboratory)
Confidence
This is essential. Have confidence in the company you’re dealing with when buying a diamond. We look at each individual diamond to check the fluorescence, hearts and arrows, polish and symmetry and ensure that all diamonds adhere to the Kimberley Process and United Nations resolutions. This means all our diamonds are bought from legitimate sources and we have no ‘blood diamonds’.”
We love a diamond ring here at Wedding Ideas, and it may be the traditional choice, but if you’re the kind of couple who would prefer something a little different, then how about commissioning a unique engagement ring? Choose someone like designer Sian Bostwick, who makes rings about as far away from a diamond solitaire as you can imagine!
There’s a lot of ring discussion going on at the Wedding Ideas Forum, including ‘Should you go Dutch on your engagement ring?’ Join in and have your say here!
He picked it out on his own, and it’s everything I could of wanted. He went with LeVian chocolate diamonds!! Sooo beautiful 🙂
My partner chose the perfect ring for me 🙂 with a little nudge in the right direction from my best mate lol! Couldn’t have chosen a better one myself x
Chose it together in The Lanes in Brighton xx
I found the ring 3years before I found the man! But he knew it was my dream ring and he loved its uniqueness too 🙂
We went together and it’s perfect 🙂
He chose it himself and even got the size right! I loved it and still watch it sparkle in the light on a daily basis x
I pointed out a ring, he said it was horrible and picked another. I prefer his choice
I picked mine at 19 and 4 years later he remembered it spot on. I was so shocked he got the perfect one. It wasn’t mega expensive but it was THE one I’d always wanted. So it was & still is perfect for me ☺️ xx
I had shown him what ring i liked but when he proposed it was totally different although he is adimant its the one i showed him (it isn’t) but i still love it and he chose it thats all that matters 🙂
He picked it and it’s perfect
He designed and had mine made. Chose the dia then the setting etc. Its stunning. Xx
My H2B picked my ring and its absolutely perfect ♡ Wouldn’t change it for the world. Its a white gold band with a pearl surrounded by little diamonds – just beautiful.
We went together. I knew what sort I wanted. I chose the ring and setting. He chose the diamond from a selection I liked. If he had proposed with a ring I wouldn’t have married him; it would have meant he didn’t know me well enough:)
Choose it together, its a white gold band with three diamonds in a row, looks great with my plan white gold band wedding ring x
Saw a beautiful, Phoenix cut ring when shopping with a friend. She knew he was going to propose so she told him all about it. I nearly had a heart attack when he got down on one knee and pulled out ‘The Ring’!
He chose himself and it is beyond spot on. It’s perfect. He is so wonderful! RM Miller Jr.
My fella chose my ring from a selection that was left by his grandmother many years ago without my knowledge. If I had to pick my own it would have been exactly the same but much smaller! We could never have afforded a 1 carat diamond so overall he did perfectly on his own! 🙂
We went to go look at rings and I fell in love with the one I have! so I picked it out but it was still a surprise!!
My fiance got it brilliantly but it was slightly small so tried to get it bigger but stopped making it so we chose this one i have now together and he got it so right again x x
I dropped hints about what I wanted, but they were a little bit conflicting because I wasn’t even sure myself. But when he proposed it was perfect and everyone I showed said it was very ‘me’. xxx
My fiance chose mine while he was away in Milan. I couldn’t of chose better myself. Its perfect =)
Picked it all on his own, and i wouldn’t of picked anything like it, i absolutely love it and it’s my birthstone 🙂
My hubby to be had my ring made and it is exactly what I would have chosen. It’s perfect for me just like him 🙂 Kevin Hinge
I work in a jewellers and chose 20 I liked and he chose the complete opposite…love it even more as he chose! He’s even promised me an upgrade when he earns more 😉
My fiance picked my ring and it happened to be the one I chose too. I had been nagging him for a while about getting engaged and he agreed to go into a jewelers and let me try on rings. I fell in love with my one as it was unusual and perfect . we left as money was tight and he wasn’t ready . 4 weeks later on Xmas day I found the ring in my cracker. When I said you went back to get the ring , he said no I bought it 4 weeks before you even tried it on
How to buy an engagement ring – guide by @wimagazine. We would add… make sure to have it properly insured! http://t.co/ZiUW5F1HIj
We got a fab mention in this article all about engagement ring shopping & the wonderous unique rings we can create http://t.co/gw0uY7Uhrh
Got a mention on @wimagazine Engagement ring shopping feature. Loved creating beautiful rings for all those lovebirds http://t.co/4T8pXekyj8
RT @SianBostwick: Got a mention on @wimagazine Engagement ring shopping feature. Loved creating beautiful rings for all those lovebirds htt…
got a tiny mention in @wimagazine engagement ring guide, we do love to creating some very wonderful engagement rings http://t.co/aZAKrrRCUV
RT @SianBostwick: got a tiny mention in @wimagazine engagement ring guide, we do love to creating some very wonderful engagement rings http…
RT @SianBostwick: got a tiny mention in @wimagazine engagement ring guide, we do love to creating some very wonderful engagement rings http…