How to Shop for An Engagement Ring

You’ll wear your engagement ring every day for a lifetime. Don’t settle for anything less than a ring you absolutely love. We can help make sense of the options so you can evaluate rings with an educated eye. Some of the components that go into your perfect engagement ring are:

• Ring type - this refers to the look at the ring itself (such as a solitaire or three stone).

• Diamond settings - this refers to how the diamonds are affixed to the ring (and the center stone may have a different setting than the diamonds on the band).

• Ring features - you can choose to include hidden details or other accents to your ring

• Diamond shape - you can choose a diamond in a variety of shapes and cuts (some ring settings are made for a variety of shapes and others are intended for a specific shape).

• Diamond quality and size - known as the “4 Cs”, the cut, color, clarity, and carats you choose depends on your budget and personal preferences.

• Diamond type - both natural and lab-grown diamonds are “real” diamonds and the same 4 Cs and shape details apply.

• Metal type - engagement rings are created with high quality, long lasting metals such as gold and platinum.

Ensuring Quality

Below are some details to check when evaluating the quality of rings you are looking at:

• Diamonds in the engagement ring setting - when engagement ring shopping, much of the diamond quality focus is on the center diamond. Evaluate the other diamonds in the ring with the same discerning eye. Make sure you view the ring and the diamonds set in it under a 10x powered gemscope to evaluate both the precision in the setting and the diamonds themselves.

  • Sidestone diamonds - if you are looking at sidestone engagement rings, ensure the side diamonds have matching clarity, color, cut, and carats. Make sure the diamonds aren’t mismatched and have maximum beauty and brilliance.

  • Channel set diamonds - if you are looking at channel set engagement rings, make sure the diamonds aren’t set unevenly or with gaps, as they may fall out or rub together and chip. Ensure the channel isn’t uneven or thin.




• Metal polish and finish quality -don’t overlook the quality of the ring itself. Ensure the ring construction and finish are solid and free of imperfections.

  • Porosity - porosity is the amount of void space within a metal, which causes small surface holes (that can extend far into the metal). Rings with porosity issues can break down over time and can become brittle. Make sure that you don’t see any voids, bubbles or similar spots on the metal of the ring.

  • Finish - Make sure there are no rough spots in the metal and that instead the entire surface is smooth, lustrous, and polished.

  • Foundation - make sure the ring metal is thick and substantial and isn’t hollowed out. A thin, hollow ring is less expensive to produce but can crack or fall apart over time.

  • Quality marks - Make sure the metal is stamped with a quality mark and a trademark. A quality mark is a stamp that identifies the type and content of the metal. A trademark is a symbol registered with the government that indicates the manufacturer. The FTC requires that all jewelry stamped with a quality mark also be stamped with a trademark.