Five helpful tips for choosing men’s diamond engagement rings
Want to choose an engagement ring for a man? Here are five helpful tips.
We’re used to considering all aspects of choosing an engagement ring for a woman. But what about when you’re buying a rung for a man? What kind of things do you need to consider then?
The rules for engagement and wedding etiquette change with each passing decade, and the same goes for engagement and wedding rings. Metals, stones and styles all go in and out of favour. But one of the latest styles isn’t about the actual rung itself, but who is wearing it.
It’s not uncommon now for women to propose marriage. Nor for men to wear diamond engagement rings. As a result, there are a number of men’s diamond engagement rings to choose from. And it can be quite easy to get overwhelmed by the choice, especially as it’s a fairly new concept and you may not know what type of ring your partner would prefer.
So how do you shop for the perfect men’s engagement ring? You want something they’ll love, something that appeals to their special sense of individuality and fits well. Diamonds are classic, sophisticated, and their bright white hue means they fit perfectly with any outfit. They are also traditional stones for jewelry, making them a very good choice for men’s rings.
To help you find the perfect diamond engagement ring for your man, here are five tips.
1) Decide on your budget
The first thing you should do when shopping for an engagement ring, whether it’s for a man or a woman, is to set your budget. If you have a budget in mind before shopping, it will make it easier to shortlist what type of ring to look at.
When you know what you can afford, you can immediately dismiss any more expensive options, and narrow your search to the rings within your price range. It also means you won’t risk falling in love with a ring that’s way out of your budget.
2) Check he’s happy wearing an engagement ring
Before you begin shopping for a diamond engagement ring for your partner, make sure you know that he’s comfortable wearing an engagement ring. Some men embrace the experience, and others don’t. Is he planning to propose you, as well? Or is he going to be the only one wearing a ring? Many couples exchange engagement rings, but this isn’t always the case.
3) Customize the engagement ring for his tastes
Your partner’s personality and personal style should be a major influence on his ring design, just like your style would influence his choice of ring for you. Not every man wants a large diamond, and not every man wants a simple ring setting. Your choice to go extravagant with diamonds or to tone it down to a simple solitaire setting depends on your partner. Remember, you are buying for him, not you.
4) Choose the right finger shape and ring size
Make sure the diamond engagement ring you pick is the best shape for your partner’s hands. Finger shape and size are often overlooked, but both are important considerations to take into account before you purchase that perfect ring.
5) Decide which precious metal you want
When choosing the best metal for an engagement ring, you need to take into account the colour of the diamond, or diamonds. White diamonds will look great with all metal types, but coloured or ‘fancy’ diamonds will be best enhanced by white gold or platinum.
When selecting an engagement ring, keep in mind that you also might need to find a matching wedding band to pair with his engagement ring. Often, a simple gold or platinum band works well against any men’s engagement ring. You may also discuss if his engagement ring will serve as both an engagement and wedding ring – some men prefer to wear just one ring.
The diamond shape refers to the outline shape of the diamond as you look at it from the top down. Round, Princess, Emerald, Oval, Cushion, Heart, Marquise, Asscher, Pear, Trapeze and Baguette are all shapes, and are often referred to as ‘fancy shapes’. When choosing the perfect shape for your diamond engagement ring several factors can guide you: the ring style you covet, your partner’s finger shape, or simply the design that captures your heart.
The cut of a diamond is one of the 4Cs of diamond quality, along with Clarity, Colour and Carat. It does not refer to the diamond’s shape, but rather its proportions, symmetry and how well it has been cut and polished. In turn, these affect how much light the diamond emits, which will determine the degree to which it sparkles.
