What is the perfect engagement ring? Gone are the days of the simple diamond solitaire set in a plain gold band. Most women today want an engagement ring that reflects who they are as a person. Men not only have to consider size, shape, and precious metal, they must also consider color, setting, and most importantly their fiance’s style and personality. I can only imagine how daunting a task this may seem to most men, but it’s not an impossible one. I recommend taking some time before you buy to do a little research.

Talk to your girlfriend’s best friend, her mother, or her sister. Pay attention to the jewelry she currently wears. Take note, does she prefer classic yellow gold or white gold. What is her personality like? Is she more quiet and traditional, because a simpler ring (though not plain) would probably suit her. Or are you in love with a girl who is bubbly and outgoing, because she may want something a little more unique.

Probably the simplest and most accurate way of finding the perfect ring is to ask your girlfriend what she wants. Most women have an idea of what they would like their engagement ring to look like, if they don’t already have the exact one they want picked out, and possibly already put on hold! You can’t go wrong if you just ask.

But for those of you fellas out there that are hopeless romantics (God love you), and you want nothing more than to surprise your love with the perfect ring, just remember to take your time, and look for the ring that reminds you of her. You’ll know it when you see it, especially if you’ve done your homework. Remember, most women spend hours searching for the perfect wedding dress that will only be worn for one short day. Shouldn’t you invest just as much time finding the perfect ring that she will wear for the rest of her life.

This is the weight of a diamond measured in carats. As the carat weight of a diamond increases so does its rarity and therefore its price.  Do not rush to judge a diamond based on it’s weight.One carat is divided into 100 “points,” so that a diamond of 75 points weights .75 carats. The carat-weight of a diamond is the easiest measurement to determine. Most importantly, two diamonds can be of equal carat-weight, but their value can differ greatly due to their cut, color, and clarity.

 If your fiance wants a 2 carat engagement ring you can pay as little as $15 for a cubic zirconia on Ebay to $22.500 on diamond.com for a round cut, Clairty SI1-SI2, color G-H. At the end of the day find a setting that pleases your wife.  This actually effects your wife’s like factor of the ring significantly.  The carat weight determines her bragging factor to her friends.

Click here to go back to our diamond buying guide.

The almighty Da Beers says you should spend 2 months salary on an engagement ring. Does Da Beers have your best interest at heart or are they looking to fill their pockets? Honestly, you should get something that will not put you in debt for years to come but still looks. The average engagement ring purchase in 2006 wa roughly $3500.

 The size and quality of the diamond DO NOT reflect the size and quality of your love for each other. Your love for one another is a good investment while a diamond ring is not purchased as a long term appreciating investment.  Keep your investments separate from the tradition and symbolism associated with a ring and marriage.

 It all starts with how much can I afford to spend on a ring.  It may only be $1,000.  Get an idea from your future fiance on the styles of rings that she likes by wandering around a jewlery store on a date night. When I was dating my wife and I would pop into a Zales to just window shop.  This helped me understand her style of jewelry.

What do I do if I don’t even have $500?

I would first learn the value of saving money and living on a budget.  It will only get worse when you get married. BUT I will also mention a few ways to save money on your ring purchase.

• Browse an antique shop
• Cubic Zirconia rings look pretty, just don’t lie to your girlfriend that it’s real
• Pawn Shops (might or might not be real diamonds)
• Focus more of your purchase on the style of the setting instead of the size of the diamond.
• Buy a different gemstone instead of diamonds
• Use a family ring
• (My Favorite) use the plastic rings from the 25 cent machines. This works well for engagements while still in high school.

This article is to help clear up matters regarding what to do with an engagement ring if the wedding is broken off.  Although etiquette rules that an engagement ring should be given back when a wedding is called off regardless of who broke the engagement, the legal system says something else.

Some of the circumstances that determine if an engagement ring has to be returned include the state you live in, how you received the engagement ring, and who broke the engagement. (We are not including if you want to be evil or spiteful in this article)

Conditional Gift States

Many courts look at an engagement ring as a conditional gift that is given in contemplation of marriage. If there is no marriage, then the engagement ring needs to be returned.

Iowa
Kansas
Michigan
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Pennsylvania
Wisconsin

The courts also have held in these states that the reasoning for no-fault divorces holds for no-fault broken engagements so an engagement ring should always be returned regardless of who decided to call off the engagement.

Implied Conditional States

In these locales, if the guy breaks the engagement, he won’t get the ring back. If he doesn’t break the engagement, he can request its return.

California

Unconditional Gift States

Other courts have held the belief that an engagement ring is an unconditional gift and so it doesn’t need to be given back.

Montana

Family Heirloom Engagement Rings

If you are considering giving a family heirloom engagement ring, legal experts recommend having a prenuptial agreement that lists who will keep the engagement ring in the event of a break up.

Supreme Court’s findings

Just a few years ago, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania stuck steadfastly to the no-fault reasoning and decreed that the donor should always get the engagement ring back even if the engagement is broken off, regardless of who broke it off or why. Lindh v. Surman, 742 A.2d 643 (Pa. 1999). Iowa, Kansas, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Wisconsin have the same rule.

Conclusion:

It keeps life simple if an engagement ring is returned to the man on condition of break up, regardless of fault.  If the woman keeps the ring it will only bring back bad memories when she sees it.  If she just throws it away it is an attempt to bring some type fo revenge to the man who originally bought it for her. If you have to return it girls, give the ring back and move on to finding the right guy and forget about the current one.