Everyone probably goes through the proposal stage. But when you do reach this stage, you may be both excited and terrified. What makes you excited is that you will finally be able to show your loyalty to the person you love for the rest of your life, while terrify is that you may have no clue on how to choose an engagement ring for the first time.

Don't worry, there comes a time when everyone chooses an engagement ring for the first time. Luckily, you're in the right place because this article will guide you on how to properly choose the right diamond engagement ring for you!

put a darry ring on the left ring finger

Step 1 - Determine the Ring Size

When buying a diamond engagement ring, you should first determine the right ring size for your fiancée. You can measure her finger while she is sleeping and come up with the right ring size based on her existing rings. You even can ask for help from her family and friends who will surely be happy to give you clues in this regard.

As for how to measure the ring size, refer to our previous post titled How Do You Measure Ring Size at Home. You can surely get inspired by it.

Step 2 - Follow the 4Cs of Diamonds

There is nothing more valuable than a diamond on an engagement ring. In fact, the value of a diamond is generally measured by the 4Cs of diamonds, the international grading system developed by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), which are cut, color, clarity and carat.

● Diamond Cut:

The diamond cut is the primary determinant of a diamond's beauty, reflecting the degree to which the facets of the diamond interact with the light. A diamond with a perfect cut will reflect dazzling sparkle and fire from the inside.

In addition, the diamond cut is closely related to the diamond shape. Depending on the diamond cut, diamond engagement rings can also be classified as round diamond engagement rings, princess cut diamond engagement rings, cushion cut diamond engagement rings, pear shaped engagement rings, oval cut diamond engagement rings, heart shaped diamond engagement rings, etc.

Usually, round brilliant diamond engagement rings are one of the diamond shapes that get the most brilliance and fire, which is why round diamond engagement rings are always the most popular.

Not only that, but different shapes of diamond engagement rings represent different styles. When buying a diamond engagement ring, you can choose the appropriate diamond shape based on your fiancée's state.

● Diamond Color:

The color grade of a diamond is measured based on white diamonds and ranges from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow). The closer a diamond's color grade is to a D grade indicates the purer and more flawless the diamond is, and of course the rarer it is. The most common diamond color grade on the market is F grade, followed closely by E and G grade.

In addition to white diamonds, there are black diamonds, pink diamonds, red diamonds and blue diamonds. Among them, red diamonds are the rarest. The rarer the color of the diamond, the more expensive it is.

● Diamond Clarity:

The clarity grade of a diamond refers to the presence of inclusions within the diamond using a tenfold loupe, ranging from Internally Flawless (FL/IF) to Included (I1, I2 and I3) inclusions. Clarity is one of the most essential characteristics to consider when purchasing a diamond engagement ring, with SI1 and higher clarity grades, being one of the most popular choices on the market.

● Diamond Carat:

Carat refers to the weight of the diamond. One carat is equal to 0.2 grams. The weight of a diamond is directly proportional to its price, as the larger the diamond, the rarer it is and the higher the price. The most popular diamond weights in the current market are mainly 1 carat engagement rings, 1.5 carat engagement rings or 2 carat engagement rings, etc.

Furthermore, many ring brands will offer customize service of diamond weight to suit your needs. For example, Darry Ring are available in a variety of diamond weights, so you can customize your desired diamond weight based on the setting size.

Step 3 - Choose a Diamond Setting Style

Diamond setting is how the stone is set into the metal band. There are solitaire setting, channel setting, bezel setting, halo setting, etc. The diamond setting of your engagement ring determines how your main diamond is set and gives your diamond engagement ring personality and beauty, whether it is a solitaire engagement ring, a 3 stone engagement ring or a halo engagement ring.

If your fiancée has a real job, you may want to consider a bezel or flat setting style, as the diamond will not stand out as much as other styles and will not get in the way of her work.

Step 4 - Choose the Metal of the Ring Band

Traditionally, diamond engagement rings are mainly made of yellow gold, white gold, platinum and rose gold. Different metals represent different styles. For example, yellow gold is a symbol of elegance and luxury; white gold and platinum represent elegance and luxury, and rose gold represents fashion and modernity. As for which metal to choose, you should match your partner's style to the metal of her existing accessories.

Moreover, which metal you choose for your diamond engagement ring has a lot to do with your budget. Platinum is the rarest and purest of the four metals, and it is sensitive skin friendly, making it the most expensive of the four. White gold has the same white appearance as platinum and is a great alternative to platinum.

For couples who are on a low budget, white gold is the perfect choice. Read What is the Difference Between White Gold and Platinum to learn more.

Gold is one of the most precious metals in the world, but pure 24K gold is too soft for everyday wear, so 18K gold is a better choice for diamond engagement rings. 18K engagement ring gold is a composite of 75% gold and 25% other alloys, making it softer and more affordable than platinum. For couples on a lower budget, 14K engagement ring gold, which is made up of 58.3% gold and 41.7% other pure alloys, is the perfect choice as it is considered durable.

Step 5 - Insist on Authoritative Diamond Certification

Buying a diamond engagement ring can be one of the most expensive investments of a lifetime, so make sure the diamond you buy is certified by an authoritative laboratory. However, not all diamond certificates are equally reliable. You should always insist on certificates from the industry's most reliable laboratories, such as GIA, AGS, IGI, etc. that provide accurate, reliable and consistent grading of factors of diamond cut, color, clarity, and carat.

Where to Buy Diamond Engagement Rings?

You can buy a diamond engagement ring in a brick-and-mortar store or in an online store. However, in our years of experience, we have found time and time again that online stores offer the best selection and value in the industry.

Not only because buying diamond engagement rings online allows you to enjoy better prices than retailers, but you can also experience 24-hour online customer service consultation and a huge selection of ring styles. You even no need to fear of being convinced by a commissioned salesperson to buy a diamond engagement ring that doesn't fit.

If you are considering buying an engagement ring online, Darry Ring is the online ring provider you can trust. At Darry Ring, we offer 24-hour online customer assistance to help you choose the right ring size, and a wider selection of diamond shapes, colors, settings and engagement ring metals. Moreover, Darry Ring strictly follows the GIA’s 4C grading scale for diamonds to carefully select each high-quality diamond to create a token of true love for each couple.

Anyway, if you have more questions about how to choose an engagement ring, please feel free to consult DR.