By Erin OllilaLet's face it: unless your girlfriend directly tells you what she wants in an engagement ring, you're left guessing blindly. With all of today's trends, when it comes to engagement ring shopping, even the best boyfriend-turned-jewelry-sleuth has trouble choosing between the many options available. One day, you'll hear your girlfriend complimenting another woman's ring and remarking, "I'd love a halo like this!" Then, the next day, you'll see her on Pinterest scrolling through pictures of Kim Kardashian's cushion-cut solitaire.
That's why when searching for engagement ring information, the personal tastes of your soon-to-be fiancée are vital to narrowing down your choices. If you don't know exactly what your girlfriend's dream ring looks like, don't worry—your jeweler can help you choose based on information about your girlfriend's personality, lifestyle, and fashion preferences.
Are Her Tastes Dainty or Blingy?
One of the first things to tell a jeweler is how much jewelry your girlfriend wears on a regular basis. Does she dash out of the house wearing just small studs in her ears, or does she refuse to leave home without a perfectly styled outfit complete with all her favorite accessories?
This might sound strange to consider, but the size of her fingers also plays a large role in choosing a ring. For instance, a woman with tiny fingers might be overwhelmed by a heavy, wide bridal set.
What's Her Lifestyle Like?
Does your girlfriend work in a nursery with babies? Does she never skip a day at the gym? As unrelated as you may think these things are when picking out an engagement ring, they're actually important clues for a jeweler. Someone who spends a lot of time working with her hands or being active may need a lower-profile ring setting. You don't want your girlfriend to worry about scratching a child with her ring or losing a stone during a workout.
Is She Traditional or Trendy?
Has your girlfriend ever mentioned that she wants a ring similar to her mother's or grandmother's? If so, know how to describe the rings they wear. Are they multistone or solitaires? Are there diamonds in the bands? What type of metal are the bands? These are all questions a jeweler will ask to help you find a ring that follows the family style.
On the other hand, if your girlfriend always stays up-to-date with trends, she'll want that reflected in her engagement ring. You could purchase today's hottest engagement ring, but another option is to decide on something timeless, such as a solitaire, and matching it with a funky wedding band. Don't forget about your metals, too—rose gold makes for a stylish and popular statement.
With so many choices for the perfect engagement ring, information about your girlfriend is what will help a jeweler move past a generic ring and help you find the one that will wow her for the rest of her life.