How-To: Choosing The Perfect Engagement Ring
2018-06-30

Let the hunt for the perfect engagement ring begin! Searching for the perfect engagement ring for your partner can be exciting and nerve-wracking. It’s no mystery that you’ll want a ring that suits your future bride to the tee. However, with the vast array of ring styles and designs available, you might be at a loss. If she has been dropping hints, use that information to scour every proposal rings shop in Singapore to find the one.  

However, if her hints are too vague for you, we’ve rounded up a couple of tips to help you get started with your ring shopping.

Set a budget

Setting a budget is the first and most important step of ring shopping. With a budget in mind, you’ll be able to focus on rings that are within your set range. This helps you narrow down the search and it gives you a better idea of what you have to work with. Additionally, it will also save you the heartache or regret if you happen to fall in love with one that’s beyond your spending power. However, do keep in mind that the monetary value of the engagement ring is not as important as the sentiment behind it. 

Choosing a style

Choosing the ring style can be considered as one of the more difficult elements of ring shopping. If your partner has been dropping hints, it might be a tad bit simpler for you. However, if you’re going solo, start off by browsing for inspiration. Understand the different ring styles available or look to her mum, sister or best friend for advice. Otherwise, the jeweller might also be able to help as well. Alternatively, poke around her jewellery collection for a rough idea of her preferred ring style. 

Shape selection

Source: Harper’s Bazaar 

Apart from considering the style and cut of the ring, you’ll also need to consider the stone’s shape. The stones come in various shapes such as oval, cushion or heart, to name a few. It's important to choose a ring shape that suits your partner. This is because different shapes complement different hands. For example, oval or pear-shaped stones work great for short fingers. With this in mind, choose a shape that suits your partner’s hand and not one that’ll play down her features.

Know your metals

Now that you have the style and shape in mind, it’s time to decide on the metal. Again, what are your partner's preferences? Does she gravitate towards cooler tones or warmer tones? If she favours cooler tones, go for platinum or white gold while rose gold and yellow gold are perfect for those that prefer warmer tones. Apart from that, you’ll need to take note of the properties of each metal. For example, platinum is hypoallergenic—great for those with sensitive skin—and is stronger than most metals while white gold tends to wear away over time. It might also help to choose a metal that’ll complement your wedding bands. Wedding bands in Singapore are commonly made with yellow gold or platinum. 

Obtain the ring size

Lastly, but just as important, is getting the right size. Figuring out her size can be tricky as asking her is not an option if you’re planning a surprise proposal. Some ways to counter this is to bring her ring with you to show the jeweller or to trace the circumference of the ring on a sheet of paper. Just remember to be discreet and ensure she doesn’t notice a missing ring in her jewellery box! 

Remember to understand your partner's style and preferences as well as set a budget before you start shopping. This way you'll be able to narrow down your choices without feeling too overwhelmed.