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How to Buy an Engagement Ring in 5 Simple Steps
Buying an engagement ring is a significant milestone. Our step-by-step guide simplifies the process of choosing an engagement ring to help you feel confident and informed every step of the way.
1. Set a Budget
Before exploring ring options, determine how much you're comfortable spending. While some traditional guidelines suggest spending three months’ salary, there’s no set rule for how much an engagement ring should cost. Your budget should reflect your significant other’s preferences and your financial circumstances.
Financing options are usually available to make the purchase more manageable, but you should first assess your finances and determine what you can afford without compromising other financial goals. Factor in your monthly take-home pay and any upcoming expenses. Whether you're spending $2,000 or $20,000, the best approach is to set a realistic range based on your income.
Keep in mind that the cost of the ring depends on many factors: center stone type and quality, metal choice, and setting style. When making those design decisions, determine what ring qualities matter most to you and your partner. The best approach is to find a diamond or gemstone engagement ring that combines size, quality, style, and affordability.
2. Choose a Setting
Once you’ve set your budget, it’s time to select a setting. The setting includes all the ring’s design elements apart from the center stone — such as the prongs, gallery, band, and any accent stones. This element not only securely holds the center stone but also defines the ring’s overall style.
Popular engagement ring settings include:
- Solitaire – Simple and timeless, with a single stone as the focal point.
- Halo – A center stone surrounded by smaller diamonds for added sparkle.
- Three-stone – Symbolic and elegant, often representing past, present, and future.
- Pavé – Features small accent diamonds along the band for extra brilliance.
- Bezel – A sleek, modern option with a metal rim securing the stone.
When deciding how to choose an engagement ring setting, consider your partner’s lifestyle. For example, a low-profile bezel may be best for someone with an active routine, while a halo or pavé setting offers more shine for someone who loves a glamorous look.
After determining your ideal setting style, it's important to figure out the ring size. We offer free resizing within 60 days of purchase, but resizing can be challenging for some settings, particularly those with eternity bands or bands with intricate metalwork. You can order our complimentary ring sizer to help you find the right size. And if you're planning a secret proposal, check out our guide for discreet sizing methods to maintain the element of surprise.
Popular Engagement Rings
Discover our most popular engagement ring settings.
3. Pick a Metal Type
The metal you choose for your engagement ring impacts both the appearance and durability of the ring. Each metal offers distinct weight, cost, and appearance characteristics that complement different styles and maintenance preferences.
The most popular engagement ring metals include:
- Platinum – rare, highly durable, and lustrous silvery-white metal that is one of the most popular options due to its strength and low maintenance needs
- White Gold – durable alloy plated with rhodium for a bright, silvery finish, offering a more affordable alternative to platinum but potentially requiring occasional re-plating
- Yellow Gold – classic, low-maintenance metal with a rich hue that retains its color over time and is suitable for everyday wear
- Rose Gold – stylish, blush-toned alloy made with copper that is affordable, durable, and requires less upkeep than white gold
4. Select a Center Stone
The center stone is the focal point of most engagement rings, and selecting one depends on personal preferences and priorities. Here are a few elements to consider when choosing a center stone:
Diamond vs. Gemstone
Diamonds remain the classic choice for engagement rings, celebrated for their unparalleled brilliance, durability, and timeless appeal. When selecting a diamond, understanding the 4 C’s — cut, color, clarity, and carat weight — can help ensure the stone fits your quality and budgetary needs. Each of these factors contributes to the diamond's overall beauty and value, making it crucial to prioritize what matters most to you.
For those seeking something different, gemstones provide a vibrant and distinctive alternative to traditional diamonds. Popular gemstone engagement ring options include, but are not limited to, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, moissanite, and morganite. These stones offer rich colors and uniqueness. When choosing a gemstone for an engagement ring make sure to check their properties as some are softer than diamonds, so be sure to consider durability if the ring will be worn daily.
Natural vs. Lab
When choosing between natural and lab-grown gemstones, it’s important to understand their differences. Natural gemstones are formed within the Earth, giving them a sense of rarity and history.
Lab-grown gemstones, on the other hand, are created in controlled laboratory settings using advanced technology that replicates the natural gem-forming process. These stones possess identical physical, chemical, and optical properties to their natural counterparts, making them a cost-effective choice.
Shape
Diamonds and gemstones come in many shapes. The shape refers to the outline of the stone, not the cut quality.
Popular shapes include:
- Round – Classic, most brilliant
- Oval – Elongates the finger
- Cushion – Soft, vintage appeal
- Princess – Square, modern
- Pear – Teardrop-shaped, elegant
- Emerald – Step-cut with a sleek, sophisticated look
Shape can affect price and how large the stone appears on the finger. Choose a shape that reflects your partner’s taste and style.
5. Complete the Purchasing Process
Once you’ve selected the ring, it’s time to finalize the purchase. Understanding your options for payment, protection, and the final details can help you feel more secure. Our seamless digital and in-person experiences make the purchase process quick and easy. Our specialists are available to help complete the process and ensure that everything is accurate and up to date. We also offer financing options, a warranty, and can help coordinate insurance for complete peace of mind.
Financing Options
Affirm
With Affirm Financing you can choose from multiple monthly repayment plans with starting rates as low as 0% APR for qualified buyers. Special financing payment plans for up to 36 months are available. It’s quick and easy: Just fill out a few pieces of basic information for a real-time decision on the amount of financing you are approved for. Know up front what you'll owe, with no hidden costs.
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo allows 12 months of payment installments with approved credit. Simply apply for financing at checkout for a real-time credit decision or contact us to apply.
Layaway
Layaway is an installment-based payment plan that allows you to pay for jewelry over a period of weeks or months. Instead of paying for your purchase after you receive it, you can make layaway payments before you receive your purchase. Learn More.
Warranty and Insurance Options
We stand behind the quality and craftsmanship of our jewelry, so we offer a free lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects on all Brilliant Earth fine jewelry. If you experience issues with your purchase due to manufacturing, we recommend you contact us so we may evaluate your piece. If a warranty issue is found, Brilliant Earth will repair the warrantied damage or replace the item without charge.
While we do not offer insurance directly, we do work closely with Lavalier to provide coverage that goes beyond most homeowner's and renter's insurance policies. Purchasing coverage through Lavalier is simple (you’ll receive a quote in one minute!) and it typically costs only 1-2% of your jewelry’s value.
Tips for Buying an Engagement Ring
Buying an engagement ring is a meaningful decision, and thoughtful preparation can make the process smoother. Here are our top tips:
- Think about long-term wear: Choose a ring that fits your partner’s lifestyle. Active wearers may need sturdier settings.
- Schedule an Appointment: Making an appointment gives your jeweler advance notice to ensure they have the designs and center stones you want to explore.
- Timeline Planning: The perfect piece will take time to create — from design conception on your end, to the crafting process, and the shipping time it takes to get to your door. Make sure you leave enough time between purchase and proposal plan — the general suggestion is at least 2 months.
- Diamond Certification: Always ensure that the diamond you purchase is certified. Not only do certifications confirm that your gem is the real deal, but they also include important information like the details on the cut, color, and clarity of your unique stone, as well as the certification number inscribed on the girdle.
- Temporary Setting: If you are confident about your diamond choice but would prefer your partner to be involved in choosing the setting, we offer a temporary setting option. Within 60 days of your initial purchase, you and your fiancé may return the temporary setting and choose from our extensive catalog of customized mountings.
You’ve Got This!
The rest is up to you! Whether you choose an intimate moment or a grand gesture, make your proposal meaningful and reflective of your relationship. A well-thought-out proposal, paired with a beautiful engagement ring, will create a moment you’ll both cherish forever.
