Red Nymph Jewelry
Are you and your soulmate ready for the big “I do”? Finding the perfect engagement ring is one of the most important and exciting steps to starting your journey together.
But with so many things to consider when it comes to choosing an engagement ring, you may feel you need a bit of guidance. You might be wondering how to choose a diamond, or how to find your ring size. Perhaps you need assistance on different diamond cuts, engagement ring styles, types of ring settings, the best metal for rings, or how to choose a wedding ring that will complement the engagement ring perfectly.
If you need insights from our experts in choosing an engagement ring with confidence, you’ve come to the right place. Our engagement ring buying guide will take you through each step to finding the perfect ring that both you and your significant other will adore. Having a sterling reputation as industry pioneers, Red Nymph not only has great tips for buying an engagement ring but the expertise, skills and resources to create something extremely exclusive and distinctively unique for your special occasion.
Start with setting a budget
Some of the big questions many engagement ring shoppers ask are: “How much are engagement rings?” or “How much should you spend on a wedding ring?” You may have heard about the commonly mentioned rule of thumb that sets the average budget for an engagement ring at two months’ salary.
Interestingly, this notion was generated by a very clever and effective advertising campaign designed for a large diamond producer in the US during the lean 1930s. Although this campaign originally set the average amount at one month’s salary, a follow-up campaign in the 80s established the current perceived standard with the following wording: “Two months’ salary showed the future Mrs Smith what the future would be like.”
Contrary to this popular guideline, we believe that when it comes to engagement ring budgeting, nothing is set in stone. Every couple is different, so instead of following strict rules or guidelines on your engagement ring budget, we recommend taking a more personal approach. Set a budget that you are comfortable with, whether it’s more or less than two months’ salary.
Choose a Diamond
Finding the perfect engagement ring starts with choosing the right diamond for you. So, once you’ve set your budget, it’s time to explore the diamond types that are within your price range. Knowing how to buy a diamond is based on the 4Cs – Colour, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight.
The colour evaluation of a diamond, measured according to GIA’s D-to-Z colour grading, is based on the absence of colour. The letter D – the highest grade on the scale – represents colourless. A diamond’s clarity is graded from F (Flawless) – the rarest of the rare – to I (Included).
Carat is the standard unit of weight used for diamonds. Since large diamonds are rare, they are more valuable than smaller diamonds of the same colour and clarity.
A diamond’s cut is one of the most important grading aspects as this is where technical expertise enters the picture. The cutting process reveals the diamond’s exquisite hidden wonder beneath its rough exterior. Our skilled craftsmen have mastered the supreme artistry of unleashing a diamond’s light and revealing the magic that lies within. Whether you prefer a mesmerising pear-shaped diamond cut or the classic My Girl Shimansky signature diamond cut, you are guaranteed to find a diamond with design excellence when choosing a Shimansky creation.
Which diamond will you fall in love with? With our wide variety of exceptional diamond shapes and cuts, you are bound to find a diamond that will suit your unique style and personality.
Choose a precious Metal
What is the best metal for? Our engagement ring guide wouldn’t be complete without guidance on this important aspect. Gold and platinum are the two most sought-after metals for engagement and wedding rings. Choosing one over the other is mostly determined by personal preference.
The most obvious distinguishing characteristic between gold and platinum is colour. Gold is naturally yellow and platinum is white. White gold is composed of gold, alloys and a rhodium plating, which gives it a white look similar to platinum, while rose gold is composed of gold and a copper alloy to get that beautiful pink colour.
If durability is important to you, platinum is the preferred choice.
Find the Ring size
Among the other engagement ring tips, another important factor to consider is to make sure the ring is sized perfectly from the moment you slip it onto her finger.
If you would like to keep the proposal a secret and you don’t know her ring size you can turn to our secret guide to determine her ring size for some handy tips – like how to measure her ring size without her noticing. Our ring size guide will help you plan the perfect proposal without giving the surprise away so you can sweep her off her feet when you get down on one knee.
When it comes to choosing the perfect engagement ring, educating yourself on a few key aspects of this important purchase will help you find just the right one. An engagement ring is an once-in-a-lifetime investment, and like all investments, you want to be knowledgeable so that you are confident in your decision.
Diamonds engagement rings may seem like a tradition passed down over the centuries, but it only became a rite of passage when, in 1947, the copywriter Frances Gerety coined the famous phrase, “A Diamond is Forever”, for De Beers. It was further exacerbated when Marilyn Monroe famously sang a rendition of “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” in the 1953 production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and, since then, no proposal has been complete without a diamond ring. But finding your one true love is hard and finding the courage to propose is even harder. To make the task of finding that one engagement ring to symbolise your eternal love, commitment and your promise to your significant other slightly less formidable.
As a newlywed myself, I love my engagement ring: a cushion-cut diamond with a halo setting. I knew early on that I wanted a cushion-cut diamond and love the vintage vibe the halo adds to it. While halo engagement rings are extremely trendy right now, they’re also not everyone’s cup of tea. You may prefer a solitaire (single diamond on a band), or a more unique setting. You might even eschew diamonds altogether and opt for coloured gemstones.
the most important tip is to select the right jeweller. Research the company and if they have a store, visit them. Regardless of your budget, you are spending your hard earned cash, so make sure you do your homework, find the right jeweller and enjoy the moment.
If you don’t know the ring style you or your soon-to-be fiancé is hoping for, but want to keep your proposal a surprise, we recommend selecting a diamond and having it mounted in a simple Solitaire setting. Solitaires hold a variety of diamond shapes and accommodate any budget. Then after the proposal, you can shop for something that tells the story of your love, together.