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 a ring that is cherished and often worn for a lifetime. So if you’ve been lucky enough to find the person you want to marry, you’re going to want to select an engagement ring before getting down on one knee and asking that life-altering question.

We know that shopping for something so meaningful can seem a bit daunting, especially considering how many choices there are when it comes to engagement rings. That’s why we created this handy guide to list some of the most important steps you should take when selecting an engagement ring.

Step 1: Keep your significant other in mind. It may seem obvious, but the most important thing you can do when shopping for an engagement ring is to make sure you select a ring that your significant other will love. After all, they’ll be the one wearing the ring. Take into account their personal preferences when making decisions regarding the engagement ring. If you’re not sure what type of ring your significant other would like to most, consider asking them or speaking with a close friend or family member who might be able to offer some helpful suggestions.

Step 2: Visit an experienced, local jeweler you trust. There’s a lot to know and learn when shopping for an engagement ring. Certain styles of rings will last longer than others. Similarly, some ring settings offer better protection for gemstones than others. There are also many things you should keep an eye out for when selecting a gemstone for the engagement ring. When you work with an experienced jeweler, they’ll be able to educate you on everything you need to know to select the best possible engagement ring. You’ll also have somewhere to go whenever you need any after-sales services, like ring cleanings or updated appraisals.

Step 3: Decide which type of metal you’d like the ring to be made of. When it comes to engagement rings, there are four metals we recommend selecting from. They are white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, and platinum. These metals will stand up to everyday wear and will offer more protection for your gemstones than other less-durable metals. You can find out more about these engagement ring metals here.

Step 4: Choose the ring style. There are numerous styles of engagement rings to choose from. Some of the most popular engagement ring styles include solitaire, diamond accented, halo, three stone, and vintage. You can find out more about these engagement ring styles here.

Step 5: Pick out the best possible gemstones. While most people choose to incorporate diamonds in their engagement ring, other suitable choices include sapphire, ruby, and moissanite. If you decide to go the diamond route, you’ll need to decide whether you’d prefer natural or lab-grown diamonds. The three main differences between natural and lab-grown diamonds are 1) where they’re created (natural diamonds are created naturally under the Earth’s surface and lab-grown diamonds are created by man in a laboratory), 2) their price (lab-grown diamonds cost less than natural diamonds), and 3) their value over time (natural diamonds tend to increase in value over time whereas the future value of lab-grown diamonds is uncertain since these gems are still relatively new to the jewelry world). After you’ve decided which type of gemstone is the right fit for you and your future spouse, you’ll need to select the one you’d like featured in the ring. We recommend comparing several gemstones in-person to get a better sense of which characteristics matter the most to you. Some individuals prefer a bright white diamond that has very little color. Others prefer diamonds that offer a breathtaking amount of sparkle. Some select their diamond based on size and others select a diamond that has very few inclusions. Whatever the case, you can’t really determine which characteristics matter the most to you until you look at diamonds in person.

Step 6: Determine the ring size. After you’ve selected a ring or have a good idea of what the engagement ring will look like, all that’s left is to make sure the ring fits her finger. If you’re able to find out her ring size before you propose, perfect! If not, you can always get the ring resized after you propose.

That’s all it takes to select the perfect engagement ring. If you have any questions regarding engagement rings, feel free to contact us at 414-276-2457 or info@kloiberjewelers.com. You can also schedule an appointment online to come in and meet with our owner Karin, who has over 40 years of experience creating engagement rings.

View our engagement ring collection online.