An engagement ring is a powerful modern symbol of love and commitment. It’s a way of communicating your affection to your significant other. But doing this effectively means abiding by a few simple principles, many of which stem from the cultural and historical associations that this particular tradition is steeped in.
Choosing the Right Ring
To begin with, you’ll want to select an engagement ring that fits not just the finger of the person who is going to wear it, but also their personal style and preferences. This might mean selecting a particular type of metal, or a particular hue and cut of gemstone.
Getting an idea of your partner’s tastes is often a simple matter of going through their existing jewellery. See if you can spot a few themes, and then shop accordingly. At the same time, you might also look at the things they’re buying outside of their jewellery. If they wear a lot of items with floral designs, then a floral design in the engagement ring might be worth considering.
Setting a Budget
You’ll also want to make sure that you’re spending within your means. Think about how much you’d like to spend, and then devise a plan for saving accordingly. Alternatively, you might look into financing options – but don’t borrow more money than you can reasonably afford to pay back. If you end up under financial pressure because of your engagement, then you might put the relationship under strain. That’s the opposite of what you’re supposed to be doing!
Considering Alternatives
If you’re shopping for a traditionalist, then buying an engagement ring might be a simple matter of looking for the best-looking diamond you can afford. That might mean considering the cut, carat, clarity and colour of the gem before buying it.
On the other hand, if you’re shopping for someone with more eccentric tastes, you might look for custom designs that reflect those tastes. That might mean shopping for a custom design. This can be a great way of weaving very personal, sentimental imagery into the ring itself.
Another option is to look for a heirloom item. If you’re wearing a ring that was once worn by a personal friend, a mentor, or (most likely) a relative, then you’ll feel as if you’re carrying a tradition into the future – and you might even hand the ring in question on to someone else, one day.Finally, you might look at different kinds of gemstones and metal, beyond what’s traditional. For some couples, for example, the strength and durability of titanium might make it an obvious symbolic choice for an engagement ring. At the same time, a variety of gemstones, like sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and pearls, might be chosen.
