So you are thinking of getting engaged and are wondering where to start.You are looking for something that is unique and special that tells your story and your best bet is to buy your engagement ring online.  But you also want to make sure that it is high quality and will stand the test of time.

 Are you are a little overwhelmed with the choices and pretty pictures and don’t quite know where to start? Well, we’ve got your back. Here are some helpful tips for buying an engagement ring online. Heck, some of them even great for buying an engagement ring in person.

Grey Rose Cut Diamond Engagement Ring

1) It really is all about the Center Stone

You want to make sure you can hand pick your center stone, especially if you are choosing a colored diamond or sapphire.

When guiding couples through the process of choosing their engagement ring I ALWAYS have them choose their center stone first. The size, shape, color and cut of the stone really will dictate how the rest of the ring comes together. Stones have all different colored undertones and you want those to best match the color metal you picked.  If possible, we will send you pictures or video of your stone choices so that you can pick out the perfect stone for you.

2) Size doesn't always matter

I will let you in on a little secret.  A .90ct diamond is A LOT cheaper than a 1ct diamond. Sometimes up to $1000 cheaper. And once the stone is set, you can put them side-by-side and not be able to tell me which one is the 1 ct. diamond.  You can usually also get a much better cut, clarity and color for the .90ct which will shine brighter for your money. 

I work very closely with ethical diamond dealers that I have spent many years cultivating relationships with in order to find you the BEST diamond for your budget.  I literally have gone to the ends of the earth to find someone the perfect diamond.

Tip: A great affordable alternative to a diamond is a White Sapphire Engagement Ring. You can get a much larger stone and if it is a quality stone matched to the hue of the metal you often cannot tell the difference between the two. You can always upgrade it on a 5 or 10 year anniversary with a real diamond!

Adeline Ring

3) All stone setting is not created equal

Stone setting is an art form. In Europe you have to apprentice for years and years under a master to be considered a stone setter.  And a good stone setter is worth his weight in gold.

Prongs should be undercut and not just bent over the stone. Bezels should be precisely made for each stone, no matter how tiny. And all stones should be set even, centered and not be crooked or chipped. This is easier said than done, believe me.

 I have had clients bring me rings to redesign for them where the diamonds were literally glued in. Probably because the setting was made wrong and they just wanted the stone to fit rather than remake it.  Or the center stone is crooked. So you really want to make sure that your ring is being set properly.  You are paying a lot of money and it should be done with a certain level of expertise. It is not a skill someone learns in a few classes or even a few months. It is years.

I work with a brilliant stone stone setter. He studied Pave’ under a master stone setter in Belgium. I call him the stone whisperer. His work is perfection. Every single time.  Like I said, worth his weight in gold. The best thing is that we share an obsession about design and stones which means that each ring matters. It is not just a job but a passion and that makes all the difference.

4) Settings really do matter

This is not a subject that comes up very often but it is so very important. Not all settings are created equal. How the setting is made and how the stones are set are crucial to the longevity of your ring.

Many jewelers like to cut corners on the weight of the settings. They will make the band thinner, hollow it out or not add the extra details, because guess what, the heavier the ring the more it costs to make. And after all, most customers won't notice the difference. Especially if they are buying the ring on the Internet and they don't get to see it in person first. Until, of course, the ring gets bent easily or the stones fall out.

At Rough Luxe, we like to make our rings in the traditional style of vintage jewelry. Which means it takes as much metal as it takes to make the ring properly. The detailing, prongs, settings and shanks are all made with gold to spare. We do not cut corners, skimp on materials and we make each engagement ring as if I would want it made for myself.