Hiya Messieurs! Are you at that point in your life where you think you might be ready to pop the big yay or nay question? Great! We’re always very happy for any young couple ready to take the leap. And here at PJD, we’re all about finding the best engagement ring and bridal jewelry without succumbing to stress.
This post is going to focus on a hit list of do’s and don’ts to help alleviate some of the potential stress of engagement ring shopping.
Before we begin, gentlemen, please note that regardless of what you end up choosing for her, if she truly loves you, she will more than likely love what you have decided is an appropriate declaration of your love, so don’t be a worry wart!
DO Budget
You will hear it again and again, but never enough: engagement ring shopping is made much simpler with a firm budget in mind. After arriving at a sensible personal budget, hopeful husbands can shop from a more adequate selection of engagement rings. For some, budgeting actually means that they can save enough for a more luxurious ring, but for most, it is a simple way of starting off a marriage on the right foot. So, please consider a budget.
DO Your Research
Engagement ring shopping can be a tricky business, but truthfully gemology is not rocket science! The trouble is the seemingly endless options. People get overwhelmed with the sheer amount of options available and that ultimately leads to the doubt and worry. As part of your research you should familiarize yourself with at minimum, the Four C’s of diamond shopping (we have an article from a few months back “here“) and you should get to know some of today’s most popular styles and shapes.
DON’T Shop Online
Perhaps I should say, try not to shop online, unless you are absolutely positively sure the online vendor is reputable. We’ve heard countless stories of young gents trying to save a buck or two by buying online only to find out they have been cheated out of their money and purchased inauthentic jewelry. If you are searching for a genuine, authentic designer engagement ring you should shop locally or from an authorized online dealer. An added bonus of shopping in store, is that you get to see exactly what you pay for, diamonds in all their sparkly brilliance.
DO Consider Heirloom Jewelry
What best way to demonstrate your love eternal, but to share with your partner a ring that has been in your family for decades? Heirloom jewelry is not easy to come by, but gifting vintage family jewelry is a clear demonstration of your commitment to your loved one. For budget conscious couples, this might also be a great means to save money for the actual wedding or honeymoon. We’ve also commonly seen couples fuse vintage jewelry with modern elements. That is to say some couples opt to buy a contemporary designer band but place an heirloom diamond in it (or vice versa). Regardless, it is a fun way to get the whole family involved.
DO Consider Matching Bridal Jewelry
If you and your lady love are the sort of couple that love to match day wear, or you simply think she would enjoy to stylistically compliment with you on your wedding jewelry, consider shopping from a designer name that carries not only stunning engagement rings, but men’s wedding bands and women’s wedding bands too! There are many luxurious designers who craft the whole line of brilliant bridal jewelry including A. Jaffe and their line of gorgeous bridal jewelry and Tacori and their dazzling collection of Tacori rings.
DON’T Forget About Your Lady!
That is, don’t forget who you are really shopping for-your future bride! Sometimes it is tempting to get lost in all the options (and boy are there plenty), but try to always keep in mind that this is the probably going to be the absolute most special gift you will ever get for your partner, so try your best 🙂
It helps if you have a general idea of what style your lady sports. That is, is she a glamorous diva, or is she a nature-loving sweetheart? Is she a modern fashionista or is she the epitome of classical elegance? Hopefully you have spent enough time with your lady love to know more or less what she is into and what would suit her best.
Looking into popular designer names, like some of our most favorites, the aforementioned Tacori engagement rings or A. Jaffe engagement rings (or any that you discover on your own) can ensure that you’re on the right track to finding your partner’s ideal engagement ring fit! The more you browse through designer collections, the better you’ll understand their style and aesthetics.
Again, do not stress the small stuff and learn to love the experience. After the engagement ring, the difficult stuff (all the wedding planning details) will be shared between your bride-to-be and yourself, so enjoy this part as much as you can.
Tell Us What You Think!
We love to hear from our readers. Are there are do’s and don’t that helped you during your engagement ring shopping experience? Let us know on our Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter!