Proposing to the love of your life is an exciting chapter to embark on. Finding the perfect engagement ring is one of the most important decisions to make in your journey down the aisle. After all, this ring is meant to be cherished for a lifetime.For many, it can be difficult knowing where to start and what to look for when shopping for an engagement ring. Here are a few tips to help you make the right choice.

Know your partner’s preference in jewelry

Whether your partner prefers diamonds or gemstones, the choices are aplenty! When beginning your search for the perfect ring, determine what kind of stone, setting, and precious metal your fiancé-to-be likes. If your future spouse hasn’t already dropped any hints, ask their close friends or family to get a better idea of his/her preferences. You can also take a look at their most-worn jewelry pieces to get a better idea of their style.

Determine their ring size
If you don’t already know your partner’s size, have no fear! There are many ways to secretly find out your partner’s ring size. The best solution is to secretly borrow one of their rings and bring it to a jeweler to be measured.If your partner typically wears the ring on their right hand, keep in mind that there can be up to a half finger size difference between the left and right hands. Make sure that your jeweler factors this in! Don’t worry if the ring isn’t your fiancé’s exact size, most rings can be easily adjusted after you pop the question.

Diamonds vs. gemstones
Diamonds have always been the traditional choice of stone for engagement rings. Not only will they withstand daily wear, they’ll also look beautiful for decades. However, gemstones, particularly sapphires and rubies, are also very popular engagement stones. Their high degree of hardness, second only to diamonds, also makes them durable for a lifetime. When it comes to choosing between diamonds and gemstones, it’s more of a personal preference so it’s important to know whether your partner wants a traditional diamond or would like to add a little color to their ring finger with a beautiful gemstone.

Know the 4Cs
If your partner prefers diamonds, it’s important to understand the 4Cs. The 4Cs represent: color, cut, clarity, and carat weight. They are the four standards for judging the quality of any diamond. When choosing a diamond, be sure to factor in each of the 4Cs. You should closely compare different stones and weigh factors such as size against clarity and color. Online retailers like, Blue Nile, for example, make it easy to find the perfect engagement ring by providing this information directly on their website.

Which metal your partner prefers
There are several different metals to choose from when picking out your engagement ring or wedding bands including yellow, white, or rose gold, silver, and platinum. While it may be hard to tell the difference between silver and platinum, it’s important to note that platinum is slightly more dense making it more expensive, but also causing it to scratch more easily. When it comes to metal choice think about your partner’s taste. If you find that most of his/her jewelry is silver or white gold, then go with a white gold or platinum band. If your partner is into trendier jewelry, a rose gold band may be the best option! When choosing your metal, you will also want to consider if you want stones set in your band as well or if you want a more simple band that will make the diamond or gemstone really stand out.

Check out this helpful questionnaire for more tips on how to choose the perfect engagement ring for your partner: