If you’re ready to get down on bended knee but have no idea how to choose an engagement ring, the experts at Michael Hill are on hand to share their top tips.
Is there a more magical time of the year to get engaged than during the festive season? The excitement, the sparkle… celebrating with family and friends — it’s no surprise that it’s the most popular time of the year for proposals.
If you’re thinking about popping the question, here are some top tips for finding the perfect engagement ring.
How much to spend on an engagement ring
They say there are four Cs to consider when shopping for an engagement ring: Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat. But don’t be fooled, the most important C to consider is cost.
Before you get swept up in styles, set yourself a realistic budget for the ring. While some say you should spend three months’ salary on the ring, budget will be different for everyone, so don’t feel pressure to follow any rules or spend as much as your friends. The experts at Michael Hill say, “It’s more important to choose a ring that your partner will love, rather than trying to get the biggest diamond or most expensive ring.”
How to choose the right engagement ring
Whether a proposal is something you’ve discussed with your partner already or will come as a total surprise, there are a number of ways to figure out a style they will love without giving the game away.
Firstly, look carefully at the type of jewellery they wear. Do they prefer silver or gold? Do they love sparkly diamonds or are they more into moody gemstones? This will give you a good insight into their personal style and is a great starting point for a conversation with a jeweller.
If you’re still unsure and want to keep things top secret, consult a close friend or family member. They just might have previously discussed the styles they like.
According to Michael Hill, “Diamonds are definitely still the most-loved! In terms of coloured gemstones, morganite is gaining popularity – particularly the new pieces in the Sir Michael Hill Designer Bridal Collection.”
What are the four Cs of diamonds?
The four Cs mentioned above refer to the characteristics by which diamonds are graded and are the ultimate guide to choosing a ring.
The Cut of the diamond is considered the most important factor as it will determine how well the stone reflects in the light. The better the cut, the more sparkle factor.
“Round brilliant diamonds are a favourite classic cut, however, we’re also seeing lots of interest in oval shaped stones at the moment,” a Michael Hill spokesperson said.
When it comes to Colour, you might be surprised to find that there are usually traces of colour in a white diamond. Colour is graded from D – Z, with D being completely colourless and G – J classed as ‘near colourless’. The latter are considered aesthetically pleasing and more affordable than the rare and expensive ‘D’ graded diamonds.
Clarity refers to the purity of the diamond which is affected by natural imperfections in the stone. If clarity is classed as Slightly Included (SI) or above, this means that the imperfections are barely visible to the naked eye.
There’s a lot of talk about Carat when it comes to engagement rings, but what does it actually mean? Carat refers to the physical weight of the diamond, not the size. One carat is equal to 0.2 gram or 200 mg.
What happens if they don’t like the engagement ring?
In the unfortunate event that after all your hard work you don’t get it right, the good news is that most jewellers are understanding and will do their best to help you out. Michael Hill has a 30 Day Total Love Promise for returns or exchanges.
“We’d recommend speaking to our expert teams in-store or via Virtual Appointment to ensure you can make any changes after purchasing your ring, especially if you plan on a special order or any customisation,” a spokesperson said.
Did you know that you can use BNPL to cover the cost of an engagement ring upfront? With humm, you can make a purchase up to $30,000 and repay in installments over six to 60 months.
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