A Gentleman's Guide to Presenting Engagement Rings | VNJ (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to present an engagement ring? ›

Get down on one knee

It's what every good presentation of the ring needs. This is the way proposals have been done for years. It shows your partner respect and also puts you in a very vulnerable position. Getting down on one knee also makes this a very formal moment.

The three C's of diamonds are important: the clarity, the cut, and the carat.

A combination of The 4C's; Cut, Carat, Colour and Clarity determines a Diamond's rarity and value. The 5th C, Certificate gives you peace of mind, knowing that the Diamond you are buying has been independently assessed and graded.

The 4Cs—color, clarity, cut and carat weight—are the globally accepted standards for assessing the quality of a diamond. A diamond's quality depends on a combination of all the four Cs.

It's a long-standing tradition that the guy chooses the ring he thinks is perfect for his gal, then surprises her by popping the question. Historically, that's just "the way it was done." But let's talk reality for a second. This is a ring the bride will wear for a long, long time, so she'd better like it.

Yes, $3,000 is definitely enough for an engagement ring. You can get a beautiful, high-quality diamond and a setting with this budget.

When it comes to buying a diamond ring, the rule of thumb used in the industry is a 3 month's salary guideline. This is the rule that most people are familiar with especially if you had done some browsing around or research.

The Rule: You have to spend three months of your salary on the ring. If you've done any engagement ring research, you might have come across the "three months' salary rule." This engagement ring etiquette adage indicates that the buyer should spend three months' worth of their salary on the purchase.

Absolutely! A $5,000 can get you a beautiful, high-quality diamond and setting. You can easily buy a 2-carat lab diamond or in some cases even a 2.5-carat lab-grown diamond ring with this budget. It all comes down to the quality of diamond that you choose.

What is the most average engagement ring size? ›

"The average carat size for a diamond changes dramatically based on location and demographics," shares Jay. In the United States, for example, the national average for an engagement ring is around one carat. In the United Kingdom, it's 0.6 carats, and in Europe it's even smaller, hovering at 0.5 carats.

"Most women think of two carats as a decent-size diamond, with a typical color clarity ranging from VS1-VS2, F-G color. [D is colorless.] A noticeably big diamond will be three carats and above. These are the ones that turn heads." — Scott Friedman, Gleem & Co.

1 – Cut of the Diamond

When you buy engagement rings online, the cut is the most crucial aspect to consider. Cut determines the brilliance and sparkle of a diamond. A diamond with the right cut will have the best sparkle. High quality will give your diamond the best fire.

​VS1 is higher than the VS2 grade. The only difference between the two is a VS2 diamond's impurities can be easier to spot than those in a VS1. Imperfections in a VS2 grade diamond are similar in size and quantity to those in a VS1.

A good cut will result in a better sparkle. That's why cut is the most important of the 4Cs—if a diamond is poorly cut, no clarity grating, color grading, or carat weight will make up for it. The diamond will look dull and glassy.

Make It a Surprise

Another way to present the ring is when you're just going about your day. Slip the ring box in her purse when she's not looking or set it out on the kitchen table and wait until she notices. If you want a grander surprise, create a little scavenger hunt for her.

Is an engagement ring a gift? Most people consider an engagement ring to be a gift and, once given, the recipient can do with it what she or he wishes. A minority of states agree and consider the ring an unconditional gift. If either person breaks off the engagement, the woman gets to keep the ring.

Traditionally, the wedding band goes first on the finger so it's closest to the heart. To ensure the proper position, some brides temporarily move their engagement ring to their right hand. Then, after the nuptials, they return the ring to their left hand over the wedding band.

Christmas Gift Proposal

The Christmas gift proposal is a traditional way to pop the question during the holiday. The proposal involves presenting the engagement ring as a Christmas present. Some people prefer to hide the engagement ring inside another gift or inside a larger wrapped box so that she doesn't expect it.