How to Buy a Wedding Ring

Co-authored by Cory Schifter

Last Updated: October 11, 2022 References

Looking for the perfect wedding ring can be a stressful experience. You want a ring that will suit your tastes and stand as a reminder of your blissful union, and you may wear the same ring for the rest of your life. Much of the difficulty of shopping for the right wedding ring can be eliminated by having a distinct idea of what you and your partner want, knowing what to look for in quality designs and materials and making sure your finances are in order.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Forming an Idea of What You're Looking For

1. 1
   Know what you’re after. Look through catalogs or search for wedding rings online to find a style that matches your price range, personality, and aesthetic sensibilities. Before setting foot in a jewelry store, you should already have a basic idea in mind about what kind of ring would be best for you and your spouse. It can be overwhelming to start searching for a wedding ring with no concept of what you even want, so do your homework now and save yourself the headache later.

   • Visualize your ideal wedding ring. What is it that you’re picturing? If you’re at a loss for how to get started, this type of mental exercise can help put you on the right track.
2. 2
   Have a budget for the ring. Get a sense of what you’re willing and able to spend on a wedding ring. This can help eliminate a lot of superfluous options right off the bat. Decide whether you’d rather finance a ring or buy it outright. Come up with an approximate figure that you’d be willing to drop on a piece and only look for rings in that price range.

   • If possible, create a separate “ring fund” and set aside a small amount from each paycheck to go toward purchasing the ideal ring once you find it.
3. 3
   Narrow down your search. Where should you even begin looking? The obvious choice is local jewelers in your area, along with some of the larger chain retailers such as Zales, Kay, and Jared. Don’t count out smaller independent jewelers: many of them have been in business for decades and have accumulated a lot of experience helping indecisive couples find rings that they’re happy with. Give the jeweler the details of your wants, needs, and budget and they’ll be able to show you a selection of rings matching your unique specifications.

   • Visit only reputable jewelers. Perform a quick search for customer testimonials to see what kind of materials a store specializes in and how knowledgeable their sales staff is. Stay away from pawn shops, deep discount outlets and mall jewelry kiosks that try to pass off uncertified merchandise at questionable prices.
   • The internet can be a helpful tool in previewing types of rings, but it’s probably not your best resource for buying due to the inability to assess the quality of a ring up close, complications in getting it sized properly and a lack of live specialists who can inform you and answer any questions you may have in person.
4. 4
   Be practical. Find a ring that you will be comfortable wearing day in and day out. It’s easy to fall into the pattern of desiring the purest, brightest, most elegant ring on the market, but stop to think for a moment about how your ring will fare once the initial infatuation wears off. It’s possible that you may not wish to wear your wedding ring at all times, so size and visibility may become a factor in keeping up with it. Additionally, some materials such as silver and white gold are known to tarnish under certain conditions, meaning they will require regular polishing and upkeep. Simplicity and practicality should also be criteria in your search.

   • One option that satisfies many couples is to go for more elegance and flair when picking out an engagement ring while sticking to a simple one-piece wedding band that will be worn all the time.
   • Don’t be put off from buying a ring you really like just because you’re worried about its utilitarian value. However, keep in mind that in most cases, your ring will be worn all day, every day, with many different clothing styles and accessories and under drastically different conditions.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Finding the Right Wedding Ring

1. 1
   Go shopping with your partner. Go together to pick out a set of rings that the two of you can agree on. Buying a wedding ring is a big, expensive decision, and it’s one that the two of you should make together. This way you can confer about what you like and don’t like, keep each other’s expectations in check and even come to an agreement on a set of matching rings. Whatever the case, make sure you’re both present and have equal say in the matter.

   • Your wedding ring is one of the only pieces of jewelry that you’ll wear for years to come—perhaps even the rest of your life—so it only makes sense to bring your partner along to pick it out.
   • Schedule a day when you and your partner can devote several hours to visiting jewelry stores and looking at rings together.
2. 2
   Educate yourself on ring materials. To choose a wedding ring that's right for you and your partner, you should consider the many different kinds of metals used to make rings. Gold and platinum are time-honored favorites, but a host of other materials are available to you in addition to these options: silver is another popular rare metal and is sometimes mixed with gold and other metals to create unique amalgamations of color and shine. Aside from the traditional metals, you also have benefits of modern metals like cobalt, tungsten, and titanium, which are renowned for their durability, vibrancy, and ease of cleaning. It's important to communicate with your partner to achieve the right look and construction of your wedding rings.

   • In addition to being harder and more durable, you may also be able to save money by opting for some of the more modern material choices.
   • Your ring doesn't have to be metal at all—take cues from other cultural traditions and look at rings fashioned from precious stones like jade, or even bohemian alternatives like wood or bone.
3. 3
   Complement your partner’s style preferences. If you happen to be on the hunt for a one-of-a-kind wedding ring or you’re buying the ring as a surprise, go armed with an awareness of your significant other’s affinities. Do they have a favorite metal that they tend to accessorize in? Are they partial to any particular colors, inlays or band styles? Study your partner’s jewelry collection or bring it up casually in conversation beforehand to be able to tailor your search for something that you know they’ll love.

   • It is a major plus if the ring you buy is consistent with the other jewelry and accessories your partner typically wears.
4. 4
   Pick out the perfect ring for you. Aim to find a pair of rings that suits you and your partner's specific needs. One of the most important truths to keep in mind is that there’s no such thing as a perfect ring, only a perfect ring for you. With this in mind, you should stay focused on you and your partner’s preferences, uniqueness and buying power and stop convincing yourself that there exists a “best” ring out there. If it meets the criteria you’ve set, symbolizes your devotion to one another and makes you smile when you look at it, it’s perfect.

   • There is an almost limitless variety of metals, moldings, sizes, and styles available, and you’ll never be able to look at all of them. Instead, keep a clear image in mind of what best represents you and your partner.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Buying an Engagement Ring

1. 1
   Pick out a ring that is meaningful to your partner. Research your partner's style preferences to find out what kind of ring would make them happy. Have they always wanted a brilliant diamond, or would it be more dazzling to have the ring set with a colorful stone? Pay attention when your partner mentions what kind of styles they like, and take a look at some of their other jewelry for comparison. A wedding proposal is a momentous occasion, and they've probably been dreaming all their life about the day someone pops the question with the perfect ring.

   • Having an engagement ring set with your partner's birthstone can be a moving alternative to the traditional diamond.
   • Using your partner's other jewelry for reference can save you a lot of trouble weeding out options. For instance, if most of the rings and necklaces they own are silver, it's a safe bet that they are partial to silver over other decorative metals.
2. 2
   Assess the "Four Cs" when deciding on a gemstone. In jeweler’s lingo, the “four Cs” refer to the Cut, Carat, Clarity, and Color of diamonds and other precious gemstones. These are the most important qualities to look for when shopping for a ring set with a stone, and since you’ll be shelling out a lot of money for it, it can pay to know how to appraise what you’re shown. If you have a notion of what you’re after in terms of each “C,” you’ll also have a much easier time communicating your needs to the jewelry specialist.

   • Cut deals with the shape and texture of a stone. These might come in their raw forms, or they can be cut with precise angles for greater symmetry and appeal.
   • Carat is a term that denotes a stone’s size. The higher the number of carats, the bigger the rock, and the more you can expect to pay for it.
   • Clarity is a desirable trait of gemstones that have a uniform, translucent appearance and are lacking any unwanted imperfections in shape.
   • Color refers to the natural hues of a stone, and is largely a matter of preference. Diamonds of the highest purity are most often clear or opalescent, but they can also be red, pink or blue, and some of these colors are exceedingly rare and valuable.
3. 3
   Choose the right style. Shopping for an engagement ring isn't just about picking the type, size, and cut of a particular stone. Look at metals and setting types that you think would capture your partner's heart. Gold is the most traditional metal for engagement rings and wedding bands, but there are many others. Modern styles favor sleek, colorless metals, so silver or platinum might be your best bet. You'll also need to decide how the stone is to be set in the ring: it could have a single setting at the top, or be inlaid with multiple stones around the band. The choices are virtually endless.

   • Expect to have to make a decision about a minimum of four areas: metal, band style, setting style, and stone.
   • Confer with your jeweler about your spouse's preferences. They can help you pair different elements and narrow down your search.
   • Stick to classic designs if you're unsure of your partner's tastes. One of the most popular designs is known as the eternity band, which symbolizes neverending love. The band is set with gems, usually diamonds, all the way around or only on the face. It's simple, beautiful, and never goes out of style.
4. 4
   Make it a surprise. Unlike agreeing on a set of wedding rings, which should be a joint decision, the engagement ring is usually given as a surprise. Plan to present the ring to your significant other when they least expect it. Find a creative way of asking the big question or hiding the ring to thrill your partner when they find it on their own. Make sure you've done your homework and are confident with the ring you've chosen before surprising them to avoid disappointment.

   • Surprises are fun, but be careful not to place the ring anywhere you could lose or ruin it. It's advisable not to hide an engagement ring in food (this presents a choking hazard and may destroy the metal's finish), or have it out of the jewelry box somewhere that it may fall into a crevice or under a piece of furniture.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Dealing With Cost

1. 1
   Be realistic about price. Settle on a ring you love that’s within your means and make sure you’re in a financially responsible position to afford it. Have a budget in place and refer to it before making any rash buying decisions. A wedding ring isn’t a make-believe decoration. It’s a serious investment, and no matter who you are, buying a quality ring that’s up to your standards is going to leave a dent in your checkbook. Try not to have any unrealistic expectations about finding a storybook ring for a steal. For the most part, you get what you pay for: quality metals and custom engravings are simply going to cost more.

   • Resist the temptation to spend beyond your means. It’s one thing to live a little lighter for a while until you make up the cost, but spending more money than you have on a ring that you simply can’t afford is ill-advised.
2. 2
   Save up to buy a ring. Instead of projecting an estimate of what you might spend on a ring and using that figure to inform your search, you might also consider finding a ring you like first and then saving up for it. Again, having a ring fund set up can be an invaluable aid, as all that money will have already been cleared for the purpose of buying a ring and won’t cause any unexpected hiccups in paying the rent or keeping the lights on. Purchasing a ring outright can also be a great weight off your shoulders—it might be a big expense all at one time, but once it’s yours, it’s yours.

   • Quality rings are not cheap. It’s wisest to start saving up for a wedding ring as far as you can in advance.
   • In certain stores, it may be possible to negotiate the price of an item a little with the jeweler. Knowing that you’re committed to buying a ring then and there may be enough to convince the jeweler to haggle with you until you reach a price you can both live with.
3. 3
   Purchase the ring on a payment plan. Realistically, most shoppers will be better off financing their ring of choice. Possible payment plans will differ depending on store policy where you buy your ring, but generally, you’ll feel less financially limited if you have the option of paying the ring off a little at a time rather than in one fell swoop. Read the fine print of the jeweler’s payment plan paperwork, and, if possible, look for plans with zero interest or promotional rates that expire after a certain time. If you’re not careful, you might get stuck paying considerably more than you originally anticipated.

   • Be wary of financing plans offered by jewelry stores. Their rates may seem attractive at first, but can skyrocket after the advertised promotions expire, and may leave you with the burden of debt in addition to your shiny new ring.
   • If you’ve got your eye on a ring that you can’t live without but it’s a little out of your current price range, an installment plan might be just what you need since you’ll be able to pay as you go.
4. 4
   Talk to the jeweler about possible discounts. Jewelry stores (especially the larger brand-name retailers) often run promotional sales or offer discounts as a way to get people to buy from them. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of these offers. You may be eligible for a discount as a first time customer, or for buying a piece in a certain line. Take note of jewelers running specials when it comes time to do your ring shopping.

   • You may also be able to take advantage of special promotions when setting up a financing plan; just watch out for discount expirations, hidden fees and deals that require you to set up a store credit card.

Expert Q&A

• Question

  What's the difference between an engagement ring and a wedding ring?

  Karen Brown

  Wedding & Event Planner

  Expert Answer

  An engagement ring symbolizes that someone is spoken for, while a wedding ring symbolizes eternity and lifelong commitment.
• Question

  Are custom engagement rings more expensive than buying from a jeweler?

  Karen Brown

  Wedding & Event Planner

  Expert Answer

  Not necessarily. There is a significant markup on pieces from jewelers, especially if you have a ring from a high-end brand like Tiffany's or Harry Winston.
• Question

  How do you shop for a wedding ring?

  Cory Schifter

  Jeweler & Certified Jewelry Appraiser

  Expert Answer

  A jeweler can work with you to find the perfect ring that matches exactly what you want. It's important to keep the cut, color, clarity, carat, and cost in mind when choosing a diamond. When shopping for a diamond wedding ring, try looking at the complete picture rather than just the cost, for example. Rather than going online and finding the cheapest one that matches what you want, it's more a matter of sitting down and looking to find a diamond that has something special to it.

See more answers

Video

Tips

• Do some basic research on different materials and styles before setting out to buy a ring. Not only will this help you narrow down what you're looking for, but it can also give you a better idea of what you can expect to pay.
• Know you and your partner's ring size. If the ring you decide on doesn't fit, take it back to the jeweler's to have it properly sized.
• See if it's possible to design a ring from scratch, or if you can modify or customize an existing piece. For instance, some jewelers may offer unique stone settings or perform personalized engravings on the ring at the customer's request. These small touches can make your ring a much more personal and meaningful gift.

Warnings

• Examine each piece you're shown carefully to tell if it's worth what the seller is asking for it, and compare prices of similar items at different jewelers' to prevent getting ripped off. Most reputable jewelers won't engage in dishonest business practices, but they may attempt to overcharge you for a ring if they think you don't know the difference.
• Don't be tempted to buy every ring you see. Picking out the right ring is a demanding task that takes time, and you're better off patiently looking over your options before coming to a decision.

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