how do you pick an engagement ring?

Answer 1

pick a price range and go and look at the price tags.

Answer 2

depends on whether you need to impress someone.
my own thoughts on the matter are that it's better to put money into a house downpayment than a ring - which has to be insured, cleaned, inspected & eventually repaired - and god forbid that you should lose it, the insurance co. will try to drive you into the ground.

my choice would be something unusual - and inexpensive - and the rest toward something of lasting substance - the house.

(Don't forget that there is an ENORMOUS markup in the diamond industry AS WELL AS LUXURY TAX that is slapped on by your friendly government. All of it goes into the retail price of the ring.
However, if you really do need a ring, you can find something unique and less expensive in estate (resale) which will be more economical because the luxury tax already has been paid on it.)

AS FOR THE MALARKEY about "two months' salary" - it used to be "one month's" and before that the diamond industry hadn't got as greedy as it is now. Another factor: the engagement ring was seen as a sort of 'cash-if-needed' gift to the future wife, when women stayed home and had no income. And now? For all I know, your fiancee makes more than you do.

Answer 3

An engagement ring is supposed to be valued at two months of your pay. You talk to your intended and tell you what you have to spend and both of you go looking for the ring.
She will be wearing the ring for a long time and should have some choice of the design.

Answer 4

Start with your budget... usually suppossed to be 2 months salary...unless you have bad credit, than it's the cash you have or that you can save.

Then go to a jeweler and look around and get educated. Then take your girl to the mall and see what she likes. Don't take her into the jewelry store...but maybe have a few options out in plain sight (e.g. take a break on a bench infront of a jewelry store).

If your girl is super picky... propose first and then go shopping for a ring together. That way she can help pick, once you have a few in your budget range set out on a counter.

Hope this helps...

Answer 5

Go to bluenile.com. They have the answers to all your questions as far as the 4 C's and everything else that goes along with selecting a ring.

Answer 6

Are you a guy?

I think you should look at your girlfriend and think of what kind of styles she likes. See what kind of other jewelry she wears. Make sure the ring isn't too big (in looks) for her hand.

Answer 7

If you're buying it for your fiance, I would bring her with you. Let her know what the maximum price that you can afford before you get there. You don't want to get something that she doesn't like, since she'll be seeing for the rest of her life.

Answer 8

The best way is to pick one you can afford, you can always up grade at anniversary time.

Answer 9

when browsing in the mall ,take a gander in the jewl dept with your sweety and maybe she would pick something out,have her pick a few of them so she wouldnt know wich one it is.

Answer 10

rings easy part-fiance is tricky one-and remember girl-SIZE so matters