Tips for getting an Engagement Ring suitable for her

When a man likes a woman and ask her out for a time, the next step traditionally is to propose for marriage. Marriage proposals lately come in all forms but sometimes very little attention is paid to the engagement ring which for many anything with diamond will suffice. 

It’s the start of the year and you just may be mulling over the idea of an engagement this year. Like many marriage traditions, engagement rings are a relic from the Roman times. In fact, it was Pope Nicolas I from the 9th Century that decreed into law the compulsory wearing of (gold) betrothal rings that we have now come to call engagement rings.

Getting the right engagement ring is such an exciting step but how do we go about it! Well, sit back and explore with us which gems best suit your bride based on their birth month. 

But before that, here are seven tips to help you find the perfect one:

1. Know Your Budget

Because engagement rings come in all price ranges, a budget will help you afford a ring that works for  you without breaking the bank. 

2. Understand Her Style

Based on your bride’s personality, observe what she wears, how active she is and choose a gem that serves her style, whether minimalist or intricate, delicate or practical. 

3. Choose the Right Metal

White gold, yellow gold, rose gold, platinum, and diamond all are great engagement rings. Just choose one for her style and skin tone. Rose gold may be trendy but platinum is durable and timeless. The 4 Cs—cut, color, clarity, and carat—are  important considerations when choosing a diamond but sapphires, emeralds, and rubies are all popular and meaningful alternatives.

4. Consider Her Ring Size

Quite tricky, but if unsure consider sneaking one of her existing rings to a jeweler for sizing. If you don't have access to one, find someone close to her to ‘steal’ one for you. Otherwise the ring could be resized later.

5. Choose a Style of Setting

Settings come in various designs, such as halo (a ring of smaller stones around the center), three-stone solitaire (single stone), or vintage-inspired. Try to make the gemstone you pick the highlight.

6. Certification and Quality

For diamonds, make sure the stone comes with a certification from a reputable dealer. A quality gem is a good indicator of its value. Do recall too that an engagement ring should last a lifetime, timeless styles don’t feel outdated after just a few years. 

7. Personalize It

Adding a personal touch, like engraving a special message, can make the ring even more meaningful.

Now that you know what to consider, what kind of ring will you be looking for? 

Here are some options worth exploring based on the month of your engagement, wedding or birth month of your partner.

January

Old wedding tradition holds that weddings held in January, ‘when the year dawns’ have a constancy with spouses that are true and kind with their love. It therefore holds that an engagement ring made of garnet symbolizing ‘constancy’ would be just appropriate for a January engagement.

February

February is for the hopeless romantics and tradition associates their love and marriages with sincerity which usually matches with Amethyst, the gemstone for authenticity and sincerity.

March in old tradition was the month for the courageous. Apparently old wedding tradition held that those marriages held in March like the blowing of the wind suffered both joy and sorrow and hence the gemstone associated with March engagements was aquamarine or bloodstone.

Choose between aquamarine or bloodstone for your March engagement

‘Marry in April when you can, Joy for Maiden and for Man’ goes the line from the old wedding poem. April is the month of innocence, and the gemstone associated with this is the almighty diamond.

There is contrasting tradition about getting married in May. Apparently, some traditions hold that your May wedding day will live to haunt you all your days while others believe like emerald, the gemstone associated with it, May weddings herald love and success. 

If you want a long and healthy marriage, engage or wed her in June. In fact, wedding tradition holds that because roses grow in June, your love will transcend stars, land and water. That’s why both pearls and alexandrite moonstone are the gemstones associated with this month.

July

July is known to be the month of contentment, and the ruby best symbolizes it. Cheekily though, wedding folklore holds that those who marry in July will labour for their survival throughout their union. 

August

August is the month of changes and it follows that those who make their vows will bask in happiness throughout their married life. The gemstone that symbolizes this is sardonyx and sometimes peridot. 

Peridots shine like the stars  

September

Apparently September is the month of clear thinkers. Indeed if you commit to her in September, your living will be rich and glamorous. And it follows that your engagement in September should be with a Sapphire. 

October

October is the month of hope and if you will engage her then opt for opal or tourmaline, both of which traditionally symbolize hope in the love that the two of you will share.

November

Fidelity is what weddings or engagements in November stand for and their birthstone is Topaz. Indeed, an engagement in November brings only joy and good tidings.

Say it loud with a blue topaz engagement ring Credit: Molly Jewellery

If you choose to propose in December, the old saying goes, “When December snows fall fast, marry and true love will last”. December represents prosperity which makes turquoise and zircon apt engagement stones for your mate. 

Now that you have your engagement ring ideas in plenty, reach out to us at planner@nyomplanet.com to plan that wedding for you.