How to Find the Perfect Engagement Ring

Aha! So you’re planning to propose to your sweetheart. Don’t worry—your secret is safe with us, and we’d be happy to help you find the perfect engagement ring. Just remember to clear your browser history before you buy. You know—just like you always do when you’re “researching” things you don’t want anyone to find out about.
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• ‍Tip! Ifyou’d like to buy your engagement ring in Austria, you’ll find a selection of jewelers and goldsmiths here who will also give you our wedding book as a gift with your engagement ring:Buy an Engagement Ring in Austria

Finding the Right Size for an Engagement Ring

The first question that comes up when buying an engagement ring is your girlfriend's or boyfriend's ring size. If he or she already wears rings and you can sneak one of them without being noticed, then it will be relatively easy to figure out the size. All you need is one of these things

• Smartphone
• Vernier caliper
• Ring Stock

Measuring Ring Size with a Smartphone

There are apps available for iPhone and Android phones that let you place a ring on the screen and then determine the exact size of the ring by adjusting a circle. Note: Don't forget to set the app to your country's standard ring sizes.

Determine Ring Size Using a Caliper

If you have a vernier caliper on hand, you can easily use it to measure the inner diameter of the ring.

Determine Ring Size Using a Ring Sizer

If you want to do it the professional way, you can also get a ring sizer to measure ring sizes. You can order one online easily and quite affordably.

Have the ring sized at the jeweler's

Of course, you can also take a ring to the jeweler and have it measured there. But don't forget to put the "borrowed" ring back where you found it.

Finding the Right Ring Style

When looking for the right style for your engagement ring, it’s also worth taking a sneak peek inside your jewelry box. The key is to draw the right conclusions from what you find. If you only find silver jewelry in there, please don’t get the idea to buy a gold ring just to mix things up. Especially when it comes to a partner, there’s a good chance she knows exactly what kind of jewelry suits her. If it were gold jewelry, she’d already have some.

What material should you choose for an engagement ring?

As mentioned above, you should take a look at what kind of jewelry your girlfriend or boyfriend already wears. It’s also important to be aware of any allergies they may have. If you don’t already know this, you can probably find out from their mother or closest friends. If you’d like to see what rings made of different materials—such as white gold, gold, silver, platinum, etc.—look like, check out our “Wedding Rings, Jewelry & Accessories” gallery for inspiration.

Engrave an engagement ring

Maybe you'd like to add a personal touch to the engagement ring. The classic choice when it comes to personalization is, of course, an engraving. Whether you choose a heartfelt “I love you,” a special date, or perhaps a little inside joke that only the two of you understand is entirely up to you.

Make Your Own Engagement Ring

A very special way to personalize your engagement ring is to simply make it yourself. That sounds more complicated than it actually is. Many of the goldsmiths and jewelers listed in our service provider directory offer workshops where they guide you step by step through the process and help you create a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry.

When should you buy an engagement ring?

Ideally, you’ll get an engagement ring before the proposal. But it’s also fine if you want to pick one out together after the proposal. In that case, we simply recommend choosing a different small symbol of your bond for the engagement itself. This could be another type of jewelry, or even something spontaneous. This is especially a good idea if the perfect moment for the proposal comes completely out of the blue—in that case, even a ring made of aluminum foil will do (true story).

If you're looking for inspiration for the perfect engagement, check this out: 10 Creative Ideas for a Marriage Proposal

How much does an engagement ring cost?

The longer you search online for a price estimate for an engagement ring, the more you’ll realize that there isn’t one. Even the design and material alone have a huge impact on the price. For example, plain gold or silver is significantly less expensive than platinum. Then there’s the question of whether or not you’ll choose a stone.

But honestly: The price doesn’t matter! Don’t let advice like “The ring should be worth at least two months’ salary” throw you off. It doesn’t have to be! If you find a beautiful engagement ring for 80 euros, go for it. If it’s one for 300 euros and you can afford it, go for it. If you just happened to buy Twitter or fly into space in your own rocket as a hobby, then throw in another hundred. It’s not about the ring—it’s about the person making the proposal—and as far as we can tell, you’re already in great shape in that regard. 😘