How to: Buy the right engagement ring
When my husband Ryan and I got married, we had already purchased a dilapidated house and my name had been on his bank account for six months. We even knew the wedding venue before we purchased my dream vintage ring at Metrolina Market. Ryan made me wait a week before officially asking me to marry him. I know, totally backwards, but it worked for us.
For those of you contemplating marriage and wanting to try the traditional method – find a partner, fall in love, buy a ring, ask this person to marry you and then live happily ever-after, this story is for you.
The Unknown Suitor, a family friend who is about to embark on the engagement tradition, accompanied me to a jewelry store to find out the answers to those difficult questions about rings.
We met with Karen Allen of Allen’s Jewelers, LLC, located in the Cotswold neighborhood. Allen has been in the family business for 27 years. She sees her job as a way to help couples find the ring that best fits their personality and style without putting them in financial straits.
The Unknown Suitor asked Allen these questions:
Unknown Suitor (US): “Should I bring my fiancée-to-be with me to buy the engagement ring?”
Allen: “That’s up to you. About 40 percent come in together on their first visit to get a sense of what they like. Most guys who have never purchased a ring are scared to death so they bring their fiancée-to-be with them because they do not want to make a mistake.
If you come alone, we will have a conversation and ask you questions about your fiancée-to-be — how tall, hair and eye color and what does she do for a living?”
US: “What are the different cuts? What’s most popular now?”
Allen: “Emerald cut, round, oval, princess, cushion are a few. Round is the most popular because it is the most brilliant. Since 2008/2009, the halo mounting is popular and the three stone ring is making a comeback.”
US: “Would I have to buy a diamond?”
Allen: “We do have a lot of people that will buy gemstones other than diamonds. One young woman came in and she really wanted a morganite. We sell sapphires, emeralds. My first engagement ring was a tanzanite. Color is a great alternative. Princess Diana’s ring was sapphire with diamonds around it and now that ring is Princess Kate’s.”
US: “How much should I have saved for a ring?”
Allen: “That depends on several factors. My feeling is that whatever is comfortable to you. Be realistic in your budget. If you want to buy a carat diamond, save at least $3,500 to $6,000. The color, clarity, cut and the carat weight all together determine the dollar value. We try to adapt her style to his financial budget.”
Pro tips
Allen made a few recommendations about what qualities to look for in a jeweler:
– Be sure that the jeweler has education and credentials from accredited associations.
– Feel comfortable with the person who is helping you. You want to be able to ask questions and not feel rushed. It may take two to three visits before making a final decision.
– Look for a place where you can build a lifelong business relationship for repairs, cleanings and future gifts.
– Be wary of a place that requests a deposit before you have made a commitment to the ring.
Photos: Allen’s Jewelers
This story was originally published December 1, 2016 at 10:00 PM with the headline "How to: Buy the right engagement ring."