There are a lot of things to consider before picking an engagement ring, thanks to the wide variety of styles, materials, patterns, stones, colors, and more. It can make picking an engagement ring seem like a daunting process, but it doesn’t have to be. While a lot of the decision making should come down to you knowing the tastes of your girlfriend, there are some general ins-and-outs for choosing the right engagement ring so you can propose to the love of your life.

Before we begin, we’d like to congratulate you for finally taking this next big step in your life. Engagement and marriage are two life milestones that almost everyone of us aspires to experience. Luckily for you, you have found the person you would want to spend the rest of your life with. Here’s some tips to help make your special day with her one she’ll always remember.

1) Assess Your Financial Situation First

Let’s be real, most people who are getting engaged are not wealthy. With the economy today, it is not a good idea to sink your life savings into a ring that you cannot truly afford. Before setting aside a budget for buying an engagement ring, you will need to thoroughly assess your financial situation first.

Remember that it is always a good idea to have extra and emergency savings on hand. Especially now that you are seeing the prospect of marriage, the idea of saving up for your future together has never been more compelling. This is not to say that an engagement ring should not be your priority, the point is that engagement rings are just one of the many things you will need to save up for by the time you both say “I do”. Save up for a ring, but don’t be too thrifty when it comes to buying an engagement ring. After all, an engagement ring is not just an investment but also the epitomized symbol of your promise and devotion to your partner. It’s a delicate balancing act that should feel right in the end.

2) Choose The Right Gemstone

Choosing the right gemstone is the tricky but the most exciting part of the process. There are a lot of things to take into account when choosing the gemstone for your engagement ring. First and foremost is your budget. If you have a fairly big budget, a classic diamond engagement ring is the perfect choice for you. Classic diamond engagement rings are very sophisticated. It can also be a great investment in the long run especially because of the high market value of diamonds.

On the other hand, if you are quite short on the budget scale, you can still achieve that sophisticated diamond look but for a lower price. Aside from diamonds, there are still a lot of colorless gemstones to choose from. Among these, white sapphire and moissanite are the most popular ones. Research more on the two alternative gemstones by reading articles, books, and reviews about white sapphire vs moissanite comparisons. From there, you can choose which one best fits your budget and your partner’s taste. If your girlfriend suspects or feels the time is getting close, she might be dropping hints about the gemstone she would like.

3) Choose The Right Jeweler

Lastly, choose the right jeweler. The right jeweler is not just skillful, but also reliable. To gauge this, check on the jeweler’s other and previous works. Look at the craftsmanship and passion put into each and every ring.

Moreover, do not forget to request for a gemstone certification from your jeweler. These gemstone certifications are essential for proving the authenticity and value of the gemstones engraved in the engagement ring. If ever you decide on buying a diamond engagement ring, make sure that the ring you buy comes with a diamond certification report from the Gemological Institute of America or from another reliable gemstone authority.