Photo credit: Erin & Tara Photography

The entire act of popping that big question is hard enough as it is. Picking the perfect ring to propose to your soon-to-be-bride is even harder. However, knowledge is power when it comes to shopping for the engagement ring, so take some time to read through our ultimate guide before making a decision.

Plan Your Budget

When it comes to narrowing down your choice, the first step is to set your budget. Once you know how much you plan on spending, you can start looking at the best diamond with the 4C attributes for your budget and start shopping at Australia’s premier diamond jewellers.

Consider How Much Prices Can Vary Between Diamond Rings

There is an infinite number of choices when it comes to diamond rings. It all depends on the quality of the diamond. Diamond bands that are more detailed are going to cost more than their plain counterparts. It’s a good idea to keep your soon-to-be fiancé in mind when it comes to picking a style and considering practicality.

Considering Certification

All diamonds should be issued with a certificate. Larger diamonds, in fact, should be internationally certified and many come with a laser inscription on the ring’s girdle. When ring shopping, make sure you choose a jeweller you trust, the one with a solid background.

The 4Cs and What They Mean

There’s no doubt you’ve heard about the 4C’s – carat, clarity, cut and colour. The 4Cs acts as a guideline when choosing an engagement ring. It’s a good idea to give more importance to higher grades of clarity, cut and colour as opposed to focusing on carat weight. A good tip is to purchase a diamond that is as white as possible in the range of “excellent” white.

Another important factor is clarity. A diamond that has minimal inclusions will portray a fire brilliance and shine. Larger inclusions within a diamond act to decrease the attractive sparkle and the value of the diamond.

Cuts that have a lesser grade than “good” mean that the diamond’s proportions aren’t going to be exact and the light rays that flow into a diamond won’t flow outwards. It is also important that you check that the diamond does not have any fluorescence. A diamond with fluorescence influences the brilliance and will make a diamond less appealing to the eye and less valuable.

Take a look at the brilliant selection of bespoke engagement rings in Melbourne by Simon West Jewellery.

Which C Can You Compromise On?

You should not compromise on any of the 4Cs to an extent. But it is a good idea to go for a diamond that has less carat weight within the best possible quality range in clarity, cut and colour. By doing this, the value of the diamond itself won’t be compromised, and will enable you to upgrade the diamond over the years while keeping the best possible quality.

Settings and Bands: The Options

Rings are available in a wide variety of designs and the final choice will ultimately rest in your hands, keeping your partner’s preferences and style in mind. The classic, simpler mounts are the rings that never go out of fashion and will emphasise the diamond itself. Other mounts for diamonds of the shank, for example, are more modern and can complement the centre diamond.

The perfect engagement ring should be bought with your partner in mind. Think about her everyday routine and style before making the final choice.