On average, people spend $5,300 for an engagement ring. In terms of budgeting, our expert gemologists advise people to set aside time to save between two to three months' salary. Or spend ~10% of this year’s post-tax annual salary. While this is a commonly quoted benchmark, it’s not the end-all figure that all couples have to follow. That goes on to say, choose a figure that is comfortable for you. Nowadays couples have been splitting the expenses of proposal and wedding rings/bands. More on this in ourdiamond budgeting & pricing guide.

Engagement ring styles come in many shapes and forms. Here are the classics that are commonly chosen:

• Basket: When the center stone is held in place with 4 or 6 prongs and has openings underneath that allows light to pass through.
• Cathedral: Like the architectural building, this has archways on either side of the head that is left open for a lifted look. This style enables light to pass through and attracts more attention to the center stone.
• Bezel: Usually for round or oval shaped gems, a bezel setting has a center stone set flush within a metal enclosing. This contemporary style uses more metal than other ring styles and has a very secure hold.
• Halo: A halo head cradles the center stone, and has accent diamonds that encircle the full diameter of the center gem. They make the center stone appear larger.
• Three Stone: A three stone ring has a center stone flanked by two smaller stones on either side. This ring setting already carries sentimental value as it represents the past, future, and present of the couple.
• Channel-set: Accent stones are suspended between metal two borders, with micro metal prongs in-between each stone. Thus creating an illusion of floating gems.
• Pave/Shared Prong: Imagine two peas in a pod. This is how pave/shared prong accent stones look like within a ring band. Each pair of accent stones tightly next to each other, and are held or “share’ the same metal prong.

Engagement ring styles come in many shapes and forms. Here are the classics that are commonly chosen:

• Basket: When the center stone is held in place with 4 or 6 prongs and has openings underneath that allows light to pass through.
• Cathedral: Like the architectural building, this has archways on either side of the head that is left open for a lifted look. This style enables light to pass through and attracts more attention to the center stone.
• Bezel: Usually for round or oval shaped gems, a bezel setting has a center stone set flush within a metal enclosing. This contemporary style uses more metal than other ring styles and has a very secure hold.
• Halo: A halo head cradles the center stone, and has accent diamonds that encircle the full diameter of the center gem. They make the center stone appear larger.
• Three Stone: A three stone ring has a center stone flanked by two smaller stones on either side. This ring setting already carries sentimental value as it represents the past, future, and present of the couple.
• Channel-set: Accent stones are suspended between metal two borders, with micro metal prongs in-between each stone. Thus creating an illusion of floating gems.
• Pave/Shared Prong: Imagine two peas in a pod. This is how pave/shared prong accent stones look like within a ring band. Each pair of accent stones tightly next to each other, and are held or “share’ the same metal prong.

1. Simply ask her size. This may ruin the surprise, but you can keep the details a surprise like: the ring style, how the proposal will happen, and when the proposal will occur.
2. Take a ring she owns to a jewelry repair shop. There the experts can quickly access her ring size. Make sure the ring you bring is one she wears on her ring finger!
3. Take a piece of string to measure.Now there are two ways to go about this. You can measure the inside diameter of a ring she wears on her ring finger. Or to keep this a surprise, wrap the string around her ring finger to measure while she’s sleeping. To be sure, take that measurement and see if it matches the inside portion of a ring she currently has. Take the measurements, determine the millimeter diameter, and compare it to our sizing chart. Ta-da!
   
4. Ask a close friend or family member. When in doubt call in reinforcements! Have a close friend ask for her ring size for “friendship rings.” Or a family member work-in her ring size into a conversation. Make sure they keep it a surprise!
   If anything, most rings and bands can be resized within about two sizes of their original size. With Clarity offers complimentary resizing for engagement rings and wedding bands within 30 days of receipt (with the exception of eternity bands and infinity rings because it will compromise their design).

It is important to obtain this from a certified gemologist who will use a gemstone or diamond certificate (a paper containing all gemstone specs and grades) to issue an estimate. Remember an appraisal, and a gemstone or diamond certificate are two separate things! At With Clarity we have all appraisals done by an accredited Gem Lab for $60.

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