Choosing an engagement ring can be a challenging process, especially if you’re trying to keep your plans a secret or don’t have a clear idea of which stone the person you love will prefer in their ring. The ring you choose is a symbol of the deep and passionate love you two share, yet it’s just a symbol. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice months of wages to declare your love. We’ve compiled a list of five valuable tips for selecting the perfect unique engagement ring for your proposal.
Tip #1: Don’t Be Afraid to Be Different
If you and your partner have a relationship that’s unique and doesn’t feel like something out of a paint-by-numbers romantic comedy movie, why should your ring be the same as everyone else’s? The ring your spouse will wear for the next few decades and beyond should reflect your amazing relationship, not whatever Cosmo or Esquire recommends as this year’s “it ring.”
There are thousands of ring styles with dozens (if not hundreds) of stones available on the market today. There’s a good chance that you’ll be able to find one that looks amazing, is a subtle reference to some hilarious inside joke between the two of you, or for some other reason would make the perfect fit.
Tip #2: Look and Listen for Clues
Usually, if you’ve been dating someone for a while, you’ll get hints about their preferred stone. Some of these can be very direct, such as “I would never wear a purple engagement ring” or “Did you see those cool engagement rings Jeff and Annie were wearing? I’m super jealous!”
Of course, they know you’ll be proposing, so you can always ask directly. But you could be more subtle. If you’re watching a movie that features a proposal, consider commenting on the ring and see your hopefully future mate’s response. Take note of their favorite color or the type of jewelry they typically wear in other situations.
Tip #3: Use Detective Skills
If you haven’t picked up any hints yet, you might want to consider what we in the business call “being tricky”. If you’re going the traditional route and asking for their parents’ permission, you can also ask for their advice on what their child would want. There’s a good chance it’s come up at some point.
For advanced trickiness, you’ll need a friend whom you can trust not to spill the beans and reveal what’s really going on. For example, ask your most trusted friend to approach your partner at a party and show them a picture of an engagement ring. The friend claims they need another opinion on whether the ring is any good or not. Secretly, of course, it’s the ring you’re planning to buy for your own proposal. The friend gets the reaction (either in front of you or reports it later), and you find out your partner’s response to the ring before sinking cash into something they might not like.
Tip #4: Consider Alternatives Like Unique Gemstones
Unless you know the person to whom you’re planning to propose wants a certain style, you should consider unique gemstone types. These can set your engagement ring apart from the ordinary stones that everyone else has.
If you and your spouse were both born in December, for example, you could choose Tanzanite (the December birthstone) for your engagement rings. If your relationship is unique and you’d like your rings to reflect that, consider choosing a pearl.
You can also choose a stone that represents something meaningful about your relationship. For example, the International Gem Society describes emeralds as representing wit, eloquence, and royalty. Perhaps it would make an excellent choice for the king or queen in your life.
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/diamond-jewelry-sapphire-ring-on-woman-2024945699
Tip #5: You Don’t Have to Break the Bank
For years, we’ve all heard variations of the idea that an engagement ring should cost three months’ salary, with some people suggesting it should be more like five or six months’ worth. According to The New York Times, in 2019, the average price paid was closer to two weeks’ salary. But even that is a lot. You don’t need to go into debt to pledge your love to your partner!
Getting engaged should be about something more than the manufacturer’s suggested retail price of the ring you buy. The unbreakable bond of love that you two share is the most important thing, and it can be easy to lose sight of that, especially in the decidedly materialistic world in which we live.
That’s not to say that the ring shouldn’t be stunning. There are many amazing gemstone engagement rings available at affordable prices, so if you’re on a budget, skip the trip to Tiffany’s and look online.
Final Thoughts
Choosing an engagement ring can be tricky, but it’s not impossible. If you have some idea of what type of stone your future spouse wants, you should be able to find one they’ll love. If not, you’ll need to find a way to discover this by asking around or by being clever.
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/young-man-choosing-engagement-ring-jewelry-2414074113
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