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When buying an engagement ring, most people realize that it’s important to educate themselves about diamond quality before buying. But there are some less obvious things to consider before taking the plunge and buying an engagement ring.
One thing many people don’t think about when purchasing an engagement ring is longevity. An engagement ring is something that’s meant to be worn for a lifetime. Often when people are shopping for their engagement ring, they don’t consider that many rings designs in stores are trendy. And while trendy styles may catch your eye this year, it’s important to think about how the ring wearer will feel about the style of the ring in ten, twenty, or thirty years— and beyond.
When it comes to buying trendy styles, choosing a trendy setting can be less of an issue than choosing a trendy diamond. Often, couples will choose to switch out their engagement ring setting later in their relationship, which is generally a simple (and relatively inexpensive) process that can help you fall back in love with your ring. But trendy diamonds are less simple to replace. Diamonds tend to be much more expensive than ring settings and replacing them is, monetarily, often equivalent to buying an entirely new ring.
That’s not to say that, if you want a trendy or unusually shaped diamond (like a pear shaped or marquise shaped diamond), you can’t get it. But it’s important to consider whether you’re choosing it because you truly love it, and will love it for decades to come, or if you’re simply being influenced by today’s trends.
Another thing many people don’t consider when purchasing an engagement ring is the wearer’s lifestyle. Certain ring settings are just less comfortable and practical than others. For example, rings with raised settings can be inconvenient for those who work with their hands and bulkier infinity rings can be irritating for those with sensitive skin. Most women don’t like to take their engagement ring off for daily activities, so it’s important to think about your intended’s lifestyle before buying.
Ring resizing is another thing people often don’t think about when purchasing an engagement ring. While many rings can be easily resized, some styles (like eternity bands or rings with intricate engravings) are very difficult to resize without ruining the beauty of the ring. That makes it critically important to figure out your soon-to-be fiancé’s accurate ring size before buying a ring that would be difficult to resize.
With all that said, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to buying an engagement ring. You can buy any style you choose. But, if you want to make sure she’ll love her ring for a lifetime, it’s important to think about how the ring will look and wear over time. It’s better to take a little extra time to consider how the ring will “age,” so to speak, to make sure you don’t rush the buying process and end up with something that will end up needing to be replaced down the road.