Purchasing an engagement ring is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many individuals. An engagement ring is one of the most significant and meaningful purchases you’ll ever make. And with thousands of styles to choose from, the process of selecting the perfect ring can often feel overwhelming. That’s why we created this guide of commonly asked questions to help you navigate the engagement ring shopping process with confidence and end up with a ring you’ll be proud of.

How much money does an engagement rings cost? It depends. Here at Kloiber Jewelers, we’ve designed some engagement rings for a couple hundred dollars and others for up to $100,000. The price of an engagement ring is affected by all of these factors:

• Type of metal (typically platinum or gold)
• Type of gemstone (diamonds, sapphires, rubies, or another gem)
• Type of gemstone creation (natural or lab-created)
• Quantity of gemstones
• Quality and size of gemstones
• Style of ring

We recommend setting a budget that you feel comfortable with. If you’re set on a specific type of ring, we’ll work within your budget to make sure you end up with the ring you want at a cost you love.

Does an engagement ring have to contain a diamond? While most engagement rings feature one or more diamonds, they don’t have to. Other suitable gemstone options for an engagement ring include sapphires and rubies. You can also select a ring that doesn’t contain any gemstones.

What’s the difference between a natural and lab-created diamond? The two main differences between natural and lab-created diamonds are the way they’re created and their cost. Natural diamonds form deep in the Earth over billions of years, while lab-created diamonds are man-made in a laboratory using technology that mimics nature’s process. Lab-created diamonds cost a fraction of the price of a natural diamond. Besides those two differences, both natural and lab-created diamonds share the same chemical composition and physical appearance.

What metal should I select for the engagement ring? Do to their durability, we recommend either gold or platinum for your engagement ring. Gold is available in multiple colors, including yellow, white, and rose. Platinum is only available in its natural white form. Whichever metal you select for the engagement ring all depends on your personal preferences and budget. You can find out more about the different types of engagement ring metals here.

What are the 4 C’s? The 4 C’s refer to the four quality characteristics that determine the value of a diamond: cut, clarity, color, and carat weight. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with these characteristics and determine which quality factor is the most important to you. Generally, we recommend you pay close attention to the cut of the diamond and select a diamond with an excellent cut, one that has a lot of sparkle. You can learn more about the 4 C’s here.

What are the different diamond shapes? Diamonds are cut in a variety of different shapes. The most common diamond shape is round, but other shapes include princess (square), emerald (rectangle), Asscher (square), cushion (square or rectangle), oval, marquise, pear, heart, and radiant (rectangle). The diamond shape you select all depends on your personal preference. You can learn more about these different diamond shapes here.

What are the different styles of engagement rings? Some of the most popular engagement ring styles are solitaire, diamond-accented, halo, three-stone, and vintage. You can learn more about the different engagement ring styles here.

Should I purchase an engagement ring online or at a local jewelry store? A reputable, local jewelry store will offer you a highly personalized and trustworthy experience that online or big-box retailers cannot match. A local jeweler provides one-on-one expert guidance, educating you on all the important things you should know when selecting or creating an engagement ring. Additionally, purchasing locally establishes a long-term relationship with a jeweler, ensuring convenient and reliable maintenance services like resizing, cleaning, and repairs for years to come. This hands-on, relationship-driven approach provides peace of mind that you are making a well-informed decision and will end up with an engagement ring of lasting quality.

What if I don’t know my partner’s ring size? That’s totally fine! The engagement ring can always be resized after your propose.

What is a custom-engagement ring? A custom engagement ring is a one-of-a-kind ring created from scratch. A custom-ring allows you to personalize every aspect of the ring from the metal and gemstone to the setting and minor details.

How does the customization process work? Typically, the first step in creating a custom-engagement ring is meeting with a jeweler and discussing the type of engagement ring you’d like. The jeweler will then create a computer-aided design (CAD) or a wax carving so you can get a better idea of what the ring will look like when it’s completed. Once you approve the CAD or wax and select the perfect gemstone(s) for the engagement ring, the jeweler will begin creating the ring.

How long does it take to create a custom-engagement ring? It varies depending on the jeweler, but here at Kloiber Jewelers, it typically takes 2-4 weeks for our goldsmith to create a custom-engagement ring.

What’s it like to shop for an engagement ring at Kloiber Jewelers? Shopping for an engagement ring at Kloiber Jewelers is stress-free, easy, and enjoyable (at least that’s what our clients tell us). Most of our engagement rings are custom made, which means we’ll work with you to create the exact ring you’re looking for. Whether you already know what that ring will look like or are starting from scratch and need a little guidance, we’ll be there throughout the entire process to offer our expertise so that you leave our store with an engagement ring you can be proud of.

Why should I choose Kloiber Jewelers over another jeweler? At Kloiber Jewelers, you’ll receive the utmost quality of care. After gaining some insight into the type of engagement ring you’re looking for, our engagement ring experts and gemologists will spend countless hours searching for the best quality and value gemstones and ring settings. Kloiber Jewelers has been in business for nearly a century, and throughout those years we have established strong, long-standing relationships with our diamond and engagement ring suppliers, so you can rest easy knowing that you’re not only getting the best care possible, but you’re also getting the best quality and value at Kloiber Jewelers.

Want to schedule an engagement ring appointment? You can do so here! Click here to see some of our engagement ring samples.