An engagement ring is a symbol of your love and commitment to the one person you want to spend the rest of your life with. It’s one of the most meaningful purchases you may ever make and chances are the ring will be cherished for a lifetime. That’s why you’re going to want to make sure you know everything there is to know about engagement rings before deciding on the perfect ring. Here are some of the most important things you should know about engagement rings.

• Engagement rings come in all shapes and sizes. While most people visualize a diamond ring when they think of an engagement ring, it can actually be whatever you want it to be. It could be a simple band without any gemstones or it could be a complex, one-of-a-kind ring showcasing multiple different gemstones. There are countless design options when it comes to engagement rings, so it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with some of the different engagement ring styles before finally narrowing it down to one ring.
• The two most common metals used to create engagement rings are gold and platinum. While gold comes in several different colors (white, yellow, and rose), platinum is purely white. Both gold and platinum are durable enough to stand up to everyday wear, making them perfect for engagement rings. Between the two metals, platinum is more durable than gold, meaning your gemstones will be better protected in a platinum ring, but this added protection comes at a slightly higher cost. Learn more about the different types of engagement ring metals.
• If you choose to incorporate gemstones into the engagement ring, you have several options to pick from. Diamonds are the most popular type of gemstone set in engagement rings (due to their hardness and overall beauty), but other suitable gemstones include sapphires and rubies. Once you decide on the type of gemstone that will be featured in the engagement ring, you’ll have to decide whether you’d prefer natural gemstones or lab-created ones. Lab-created gemstones cost a fraction of the cost of natural gems, but may not retain their value as well as natural gemstones.
• Engagement rings can vary greatly in price. The cost of an engagement ring depends on the type and quality of gemstones set in the ring (if any) and the complexity of the ring design. It’s important to set aside an amount you feel comfortable spending on the ring and then selecting or creating a ring that fits within your budget. An experienced jeweler will be able to work with you to ensure you end up with the exact ring you/your partner wants at a cost you feel comfortable with.
• An engagement ring is a gift. And as with any gift, it’s a good idea to take into account what the recipient would like the most. The best way to find this out is to ask your partner directly, but if you don’t want to ruin the surprise, you may want to consider asking a close family member or friend if they have any ideas. And if that doesn’t work, you may want to think about proposing with one ring and having the option to exchange it for another ring that the two of you can pick out together after the proposal (a service we provide here at Kloiber Jewelers).
• Purchase the engagement ring from a local jewelry store you trust. Some things are better purchased in-person than online. For something as significant as an engagement ring, you’re going to want to work with someone who has a lot of experience working with and creating engagement rings, someone who will be able to come up with new ideas you may not have thought of, and address any potential concerns you may not have considered. They’ll be there for you throughout the entire engagement ring creation/buying process and you can rest easy knowing you have somewhere you trust to go when you need any after-sales services, like ring resizing, cleaning, prong re-tipping, and gemstone tightening.

If you have any questions regarding engagement rings, feel free to contact us at 414-276-2457 or info@kloiberjewelers.com. You can view some of our engagement ring styles here.

When you’re ready to start the process of shopping for/creating an engagement ring, you can schedule an engagement ring appointment with our owner, Karin, who has over 40 years of experience helping Milwaukee couples get engaged.