How to Buy an Engagement Ring in 2025

Buying an engagement ring and preparing for a marriage proposal is as exciting as overwhelming. In this guide, we will give you insider advice on everything you need to know to buy an engagement ring in 2025.

The author, Benjamin Khordipour, is a GIA-certified Gemologist, co-wrote a book on engagement rings, and gives lectures worldwide on topics ranging from jewelry to gemstones.

1. Plan Your Budget Before Shopping

I always recommend determining exactly how much you can spend on an engagement ring before going shopping for it.

So much frustration can be avoided if you start the journey with an exact budget of how much you expect to pay.

Additionally, don’t use outdated formats like “2-month salary” or “1-carat diamond” as your template to determine how much you can spend. The only determining factors should be your ability to afford and your willingness to spend.

We created a fun engagement ring calculator that could help you determine how much you should spend.

2. Determine the Core-3 Ring Decisions

There are so many different types of engagement rings. Trying to search through every type of ring will be absolutely impossible. That’s why I recommend answering the following three questions before searching. Most of these questions are so polarizing that once you pick the answer, you won’t be looking for rings outside of your choice.

1. Which gemstone do you want for the center? (Example: Diamond, Sapphire, Aquamarine, etc…)
2. Which gemstone shape are you looking for? (Example: Round, Cushion, Asscher, Heart, etc…)
3. Do you want a vintage ring or a brand-new ring?

You’ll make many choices along the ring-searching journey, but answering these three questions before starting will make the quest a thousand times easier.

Important Note: Some believe that “lab-grown vs. natural diamond” should also be on this list. See below for our opinion on lab diamonds. Spoiler Alert: Lab-grown diamonds are a scam!

3. Get a Basic Diamond Education

This piece of advice scares people, but it shouldn’t. Jewelry is awfully simple, and the educational barrier is really low. I asked Afshin Shaddaie, one of the world’s leading experts on vintage jewelry, and here is his list of four easy things that everyone should learn before shopping for an engagement ring:

1. The 4C’s of diamonds: Carat, Clarity, Cut, and Color.
2. Understand the difference between carat weight and total carat weight. Very important.
3. The basic anatomy of an engagement ring. Don’t get lost in the details, but learn the basic terms for the different parts of a ring.
4. Calculate how big your diamond will look on your finger. Here’s the complete guide with all the different carat sizes.

4. Work Out Her Style

Intro: This section is only for the guys reading the article who aren’t shopping together with their partners.

We have an entire article dedicated to giving tips on how to find her perfect ring without her, but here are a few pointers:

• Talk to her friends and family
• Stalk her Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok accounts
• Pay attention to her jewelry, clothes, and overall aesthetic

Based on our constant experience in the engagement ring market for the past few decades, the best way to know her style is to ask her herself. So ask her far in advance and tell her you’re taking notes for the future, or just ask her to shop with you.

5. Find the Right Jeweler

This is, without a doubt, the most important tip on this list. A good jeweler will ensure that the experience is amazing, that you’re getting a genuine product, and that you’re getting a fair price. A bad jeweler will ensure the opposite.

Here’s our top tips for getting the right jeweler:

• Ask friends and family (who you trust) for recommendations
• Find knowledgeable jewelers online (who also have a lot of positive online reviews)
• Investigate their return policy, warranty, and shipping policy so that there are no surprises later on

Here’s what you shouldn’t do:

• Walk into a random jewelry store without doing research on them
• Ask a friend or family member who is related to the jeweler

Another Note: You don’t have to pick only one jeweler. Go to multiple stores, talk to different experts, and then decide which one you like best. Take your time and get it right. 

6. Keep it Simple

Your engagement ring will be the one piece of jewelry you will wear for the rest of your life. Do not rush to dramatic trends only for them to become trite and cliche two years later.

We always recommend finding a simple and traditional engagement ring but with something a little extra that will give it character. Maybe a halo around the center stone or a nice fleur-de-lis on the side?

To quote my dad, Michael Khordipour, who has been in the industry for over 40 years, “For engagement rings, less is more. For everything else, go wild!”

7. Find Her Finger Size

If you’re unsure of her finger size, but don’t want to ruin the surprise, there are numerous actions you should take. The first is talking to her family members or friends who may know her size. The second is “borrowing” a ring she already owns and using it as a guide. If you want to do this, ensure she wears that particular ring on the correct finger. 

Also, you can show a jeweler a few photos of her hands and fingers for comparison. 

If you’re still unsure, always opt for a slightly larger band so that you can resize it if necessary. But remember that some rings can’t be resized for numerous reasons. That’s why you should always discuss this with your jeweler before purchasing a ring. 

8. Ensure the Final Details

When purchasing an engagement ring, you should consider numerous details that affect the ring’s quality and durability and your overall experience. 

Before paying for the ring, be sure to inspect it carefully. Check that the stones are secure and there are no signs of damage. Moreover, don’t forget to check the warranty and ask the jeweler about the return policy. 

Every diamond ring should have a certificate confirming the stone’s characteristics. This certificate should be issued by a reputable institution like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the American Gem Society (AGS). Never purchase a diamond that doesn’t have the necessary certifications because it could be a scam. Every reputable jeweler will allow you to see the certificates before buying the diamond. 

9. Check for Promotions or Coupons

Engagement rings can be quite expensive. Fortunately, you can save a lot of money by taking advantage of different promotions and coupons. For example, many jewelry stores give discounts for wiring. 

Many also have promotions and discounts for paying the entirety of the ring in cash. You can also see excellent deals for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, etc. 

Insider Tips and Tricks for Buying an Engagement Ring 

Here are a few tips and tricks that can help you get the best engagement ring for your future bride: 

1. Buy Online. It’s Cheaper. Although this may sound unusual at first, buying an engagement ring online is often cheaper than purchasing a ring in a store. Why? Because, unlike physical stores, online stores don’t pay rent, hire numerous jewelry experts, clean the shop, arrange the rings, etc. Physical stores need to account for all these expenses, which is why the rings they sell often have a higher price tag. 
2. Negotiate on Price. Many people think that negotiating the price of an engagement ring is rude. However, this isn’t true in the slightest. It’s perfectly acceptable to negotiate the price of any piece of jewelry, including engagement rings. What’s more, many jewelers expect this and are willing to give you a lower price.
3. Learn About Diamonds. If you want to avoid getting scammed and ensure you’re getting the best value for your money, then it would be a good idea to learn more about diamonds.
4. Use Layaway or Financing Plans. You don’t have to burn through your savings to get the perfect engagement ring for your significant other. Instead, you can use layaway or different financing plans. 
5. Get Insurance. Another valuable piece of advice is to get insurance on your engagement ring. Engagement ring insurance is a special policy that protects you in case the ring gets damaged, lost, or stolen. The insurance fee is usually low and paid in monthly increments, so many people decide to get it. 
6. Buying in a Lower Bracket. One of the most important characteristics of every diamond is the carat weight, with one carat equaling 0.20 grams. Let’s say you decide you want a 1.50-carat diamond; if you opt for a few points lower diamond, you can save hundreds of dollars. So, instead of purchasing a 1.50-carat diamond, go for a 1.49-carat stone. Although the difference is just 0.01 carats, which is unnoticeable to the naked eye, you’ll save a lot because the 1.49-carat diamond belongs to the lower bracket. 
7. Compromise on Color and Clarity. Color and clarity are two of the four Cs, i.e., the most important characteristics of any diamond. Both color and clarity are measured on carefully designed scales. The color scale ranges from the letter D (colorless) to the letter Z (light), while the clarity scale ranges from FL (flawless) to I (included). The higher the grade, the “better” the diamond, which results in a higher price. In terms of color, colorless diamonds are the most desirable. But this doesn’t mean you can’t find exceptional diamonds with a lower color grade. A diamond with an F color grade (the last colorless grade) can cost much more than a diamond with a G color grade (the first near-colorless grade). The same goes for a diamond with a G color grade and a J color grade (the last near-colorless grade). Similar rules apply to clarity.

Antique Diamonds vs. Modern Diamonds

When purchasing an engagement ring, one major consideration is whether to go with an antique or modern diamond. Diamonds that were cut more than 100 years ago are considered antique diamonds. These diamonds are known for their unique appeal and softer sparkle due to their larger facets. Antique diamonds were cut by hand, so they exhibit less fire and brilliance than modern diamonds. However, many people find this warmer, romantic glow more appealing. Plus, since they were cut by hand, antique diamonds are more unique. 

Another reason many people prefer antique diamonds is the question of ethics. More specifically, by choosing an antique diamond, you say “no” to further exploitation of the mines. Antique diamonds were mined long before modern conflicts and the issue of human rights violations. 

Modern diamonds may have a cleaner look due to high precision and brilliance, but they don’t possess the charm of antique diamonds. Plus, modern diamonds are usually more expensive. 

How Diamond Certificates Work

Diamond certificates, also called grading reports, are issued by accredited gemological laboratories such as the GIA or the AGS. Every diamond certificate contains detailed information about the specific diamond’s characteristics based on the four Cs (cut, color, clarity, and carat weight). The certificate also displays the diamond’s dimensions and other relevant details. 

Trained professionals grade the diamond after a thorough examination. For this, diamond experts use a loupe, a microscope, and master stones. Master stones are diamonds that have already been graded. They’re compared to other diamonds and used as a reference point. 

The diamond you purchase must have this certificate. If it doesn’t, consider this a red flag and find another seller. 

Keep in mind that different entities grade diamonds differently. For example, one institution may be looser in grading color, while the other is looser in grading clarity. That’s why it’s vital to rely on reputable, experienced, and consistent institutions. When a diamond comes with a GIA or AGS certificate, you can be 100% sure it’s accurate. 

Don’t forget that you don’t have to chase a diamond with high grades just for the sake of it. Instead, look for a diamond that looks good to the naked eye and has a certificate. Find a balance between the price, quality, and appearance of the diamond and surprise your future bride with an exceptional piece of jewelry. 

NOTE: Buy Only From Reputable Jewelers

Another way to ensure you’re purchasing an ethical engagement ring is to work only with reputable jewelers. Such jewelers sell only conflict-free ethical jewelry. 

Don’t forget that you should always ask for a certificate that confirms the diamond’s characteristics and proves its origin. 

Talk to an Engagement Ring Expert 

As you can see, purchasing an engagement ring definitely isn’t easy. Fortunately, you don’t have to do it alone.

Our team of experts at Estate Diamond Jewelry can help you find the perfect ring for your future bride. We’ve been in the diamond business for decades and offer professionalism and reliability.