Engagement ring styles run a broad spectrum. With a variety of styles and shapes, you have a lot of options to choose from. From simple solitaire rings with a ingle diamond or gemstone to multi-stone halo settings, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. 

Speaking of stones, those alone come in an array of cuts, shapes, colors, and other options. It’s enough to make your head spin. If you don’t feel comfortable shopping for jewelry in the first place, your head might twist off. 

In this guide to engagement rings, we want to help improve your knowledge of the options available. Whether you want a traditional engagement ring or an alternative style, our Houston jewelry store is here to help. 

Follow along to develop a better idea of your perfect engagement ring. 

How to Buy an Engagement Ring in Houston

At Sethi’s Fine Jewelry, our goal is to simplify the process of buying engagement rings. Houston couples have so many options to consider that it becomes overwhelming. With our guide to engagement rings, we want to help you choose the ring that turns one precious moment into a lifetime of happiness. 

Step One: Set a Budget

There’s no real rule to dictate the budget that you set for an engagement ring. However, before you select your ring, it’s important to settle on a budget that you feel comfortable with. This helps to ensure that your choice is the ideal option. 

Now, there’s the old wives tale that states your engagement ring should cost around 3 months’ salary… That’s not true for everyone. Your budget for the perfect ring depends on the wants and needs of you and your partner as well as your circumstances. 

At our Houston jewelry store, we help you find a diamond or other gemstone that balances quality and size. Moreover, we work within your budget and help you weigh your options. 

Additionally, we offer flexible payment plans and financing to help you with the cost. 

Step Two: Choose a Ring

Select a Setting

At our Houston jewelry store, we specialize in custom jewelry. That means we have access to a broad spectrum of ring settings. However, we also know how to help you narrow down your options. 

To do so, we consider your partner’s lifestyle, personality, and style preferences. Generally, ring styles range from solitaire rings to halo settings to custom rings. As such, it’s important to have help as you select the perfect setting for your significant other. 

Selecting the style is one of the most important aspects of our guide to engagement rings. For some guidance, consider the clothing and accessories that your partner tends towards. This offers a few clues about their preferences. 

• Classic
• Modern
• Glamorous
• Natural
• A combination 

Oftentimes, partners drop hints about what they like or want, too. So, it’s important to listen and stay alert. Moreover, some partners are open to discussing an engagement, which means you have input from the source. 

Precious Metals & You

When it comes to engagement rings, platinum and yellow gold are the two most popular choices. However, it’s important to explore your options before you select a ring. 

At Sethi’s Fine Jewelry, we offer a range of metal options for rings, including yellow gold, rose gold, platinum, and white gold. When your partner has a metal allergy, platinum is your best bet as a hypoallergenic choice. 

Learn Your Partner’s Ring Size

Not sure about your partner’s ring size? That’s not a problem! We put together a few ideas in another guide here. 

There are a few simple tricks to help you learn their ring size. Generally, many women fall into the 6-6.5 range, and it’s a good idea to err on too big vs too small. 

One option is to sneak a ring away from your partner’s jewelry collection and have our jewelers size it for you. Alternatively, you can trace the ring on a piece of paper. 

If you know a friend of your partner who knows how to keep a secret, you can ask them. When you get the ring size wrong, it’s easy enough to resize. Call our shop today to see what your options are!

Step Three: Select a Stone

When it comes to engagement rings, diamonds are a classic choice. However, it’s important to understand what Houston jewelers call the “4 Cs”: Cut, color, carat, and clarity. 

When you understand these terms, it helps you identify the stone that best fits your ring and budget. To find the perfect diamond, we recommend that you start with a shape and then strike a balance between quality and size. 

Sometimes, a smaller diamond allows you to choose a higher quality. Alternatively, you might opt for a lower cut grade to gain a larger carat in your budget. 

Cut

With an understanding of how light moves through diamonds, modern cutters have a set of angels and proportions that harness the brilliance of a stone. The Cut refers to the symmetry, reflective qualities, and facets of the diamond. 

This cur relates to the general sparkle or beauty of the diamond. Oftentimes, it is one of the most crucial factors to consider as you select a diamond. 

Color 

Color refers to the natural color or lack thereof visible within the diamond. Generally, this adheres to the GIA grade scale, which covers the amount of grey or yellow hues within the stone. 

The closer a diamond is to “colorless,” the higher its value. 

Carat

Carat is the overall weight of a diamond. This impacts the visual size of the stone. Different shapes carry the carat differently, though. As such, some shapes appear larger than rounded diamonds of the same carat.

Clarity

Clarity refers to the visibility of imperfections and inclusions in a diamond. When a diamond has little to no inclusions, jewelers consider them quite rare. 

Step Four: Propose!

At this point in our guide to engagement rings, we can’t help you too much. Your proposal is up to you! 

Whichever stunning engagement ring you choose, it helps to change a single moment into a cherished memory. At our Houston jewelry store, we are always ready to help you out!