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How to buy an engagement ring

We make it easy to find the perfect engagement ring to represent you and your partner. From choosing the center stone to the ideal setting and metal, our tips will help you find the right engagement ring.
We make it easy to find the perfect engagement ring to represent you and your partner. From choosing the center stone to the ideal setting and metal, our tips will help you find the right engagement ring.

1. Set your budget

When engagement ring shopping, first think about your overall budget and find the price range that works best for you. Don't get caught up in conventional wisdom that says you must spend 1,2 or 3 months' salary on your engagement ring.

Your budget should reflect your financial situation and focus on you and your partner’s preferences. VRAI also offers payment options such as interest-free installments and monthly financing for US customers, as well as other options for international customers. Think about the budget that works best for you and your partner.

On our site, settings and diamonds are priced separately. Use price filters when exploring our diamond inventory to stay within your budget. Knowing the diamond 4Cs (cut, color, clarity, carat) and how they relate to different diamond shapes will help you maximize your budget.

When engagement ring shopping, first think about your overall budget and find the price range that works best for you. Don't get caught up in conventional wisdom that says you must spend 1,2 or 3 months' salary on your engagement ring.

Your budget should reflect your financial situation and focus on you and your partner’s preferences. VRAI also offers payment options such as interest-free installments and monthly financing for US customers, as well as other options for international customers. Think about the budget that works best for you and your partner.

On our site, settings and diamonds are priced separately. Use price filters when exploring our diamond inventory to stay within your budget. Knowing the diamond 4Cs (cut, color, clarity, carat) and how they relate to different diamond shapes will help you maximize your budget.

Learn the 4Cs of diamonds

When thinking about how to buy an engagement ring, learning the 4Cs of diamonds is important to maximize your purchase. The 4Cs refer to a diamond’s cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. These four factors determine a diamond’s overall appearance and quality.

Understanding the 4Cs will help you choose the right diamond for yourself. Depending on the diamond shape or ring setting, certain Cs take priority over others. Speak with our diamond experts for further 4C guidance.

The first C is cut, which refers to the arrangement of a diamond’s facets. Cut directly affects how light enters and exits the diamond. A higher quality cut therefore equals more brilliance and shine.

The second C is color, which refers to the absence of color. The closer to colorless a white diamond is, the rarer and more valuable it becomes. Because color impacts overall appearance, most try to find a colorless or near colorless diamond for their engagement ring.

The third C is clarity, which refers to the visual purity of a diamond. It’s determined by the number of inclusions in the diamond, which occur naturally during the growth process. Flawless diamonds are rare and therefore more valuable than diamonds with slight inclusions.

The last C is carat weight, which is often confused with a diamond’s size. But depending on the shape, as well as the other Cs, certain diamonds appear larger than others of the same weight. The higher the carat weight, the more valuable a diamond becomes.

4. Select a metal type

The choice of metal and color should be based on personal preference. Take these details into consideration when selecting which metal is right for you.

Platinum engagement rings are known for their elegance and durability. Platinum is also a wonderful choice for anyone with skin sensitivities and pairs best with colorless diamonds.

18k solid yellow gold is perfect for individuals with neutral or warm skin tones, and can hide hints of yellow in a diamond lower on the color scale. It is often considered the most classic or traditional setting color.

18k solid white gold is known for its clean, pristine look and is ideal for those with neutral or cool skin tones. It also pairs well with colorless diamonds.

14k solid rose gold pairs well with warm, cool, and neutral skin tones, but also with a yellow or white gold jewelry collection. It is known for its romantic, vintage appeal.

VRAI engagement rings are made with platinum or solid gold, never plated, filled, or vermeil. Each ring comes with the choice of plain or pavé band for a customized look that is uniquely you.

5. Complete your purchase

VRAI offers several ways to complete your engagement ring order.

For personalized guidance and expert advice, we encourage you to book an appointment with our diamond experts, in-store or virtually. You’ll receive in-depth diamond education, as well as help in selecting the perfect lab-grown diamond, setting, and matching wedding band.

Book an appointment

You may complete your entire purchase online. Start by selecting either your diamond or setting of choice. Then your metal. You can select the style of the band, plain or pavé. Then you can choose a personal engraving. After you’ve finalized each detail, you can proceed to checkout.

On our site, settings and diamonds are priced separately. Use price filters when exploring our diamond inventory to stay within your budget.

VRAI is proud to offer Customer Experience Support via Live Chat and email should you need assistance while completing your purchase.

Engagement rings featuring diamonds sustainably created by VRAI are made to order and shipped within 10 business days. Custom-designed rings may take longer. The design team will be able to give you an estimate of when your custom ring will arrive.

All engagement rings and wedding bands come with our Lifetime Care Package, which includes complimentary resizing, annual shine, and our Lifetime Warranty.

Learn more about our warranty

VRAI works with Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group to offer repair and replacement jewelry insurance on VRAI purchases. Insure your VRAI purchase by clicking here. This service is only available for US customers.

Tips for buying an engagement ring

Your ring style is very personal, as it symbolizes your shared love and commitment. Below are some useful tips to help lead you in the right direction:

  • Has your partner previously hinted at a style? Their subtle (or not-so-subtle) preferences can serve as a guide.

  • Search your partner’s favorite brands on social media for inspiration.

  • Reach out to family and friends who know your partner’s taste or have previously spoken about a design.

  • Take notes on your partner’s personal style. Would you describe it as classic, modern or unique?

The color of your band is another stylistic preference, influencing the overall tone of the design. Questions to ask you and your partner:

  1. Which metal color will look best on my skin tone?

  2. Do I want my gold color to match my partner’s ring?

  3. Do I need to prioritize affordability or maintenance?

Before you start ring shopping, make sure you know the correct ring size. “I recommend having your ring size checked at least twice at different times of day. Your ring size can fluctuate depending on many variables,” explains Queena Chang, Diamond Expert and GIA Gemologist Graduate. “The fit that I look for is a ring that slips on easily but takes a little wiggle or turn at the knuckle to take off. The ring shouldn’t easily come off of the finger, nor should it feel like you have to pull to take it off. When in doubt, go slightly looser.”

If you’re not sure how to find your ring size, order a complimentary VRAI ring sizer. VRAI offers engagement rings in sizes 3-11 with custom sizing available.

Don't get caught up in trends you see on social media. Finding the right setting and diamond combination is a personal experience and should reflect every individual's unique relationship and values.

How do I pair my engagement ring with a wedding band?

For pairing your rings based on diamond shape, consider that most of our wedding bands highlight round or baguette-shaped VRAI created diamonds.

Diamond-accented rings such as the the petite Eternity band, Devotion band, and Infinity band pair well with a Round Brilliant engagement rings, as well as other rounded shapes, like Oval engagement rings.

The Devotion band and Baguette Infinity band feature baguette-shaped VRAI created diamonds and pair well with squared shapes, like an Emerald cut diamond or Princess cut diamond.

Wedding bands such as the Curator and Signature V are often paired with their matching engagement ring settings. Both are designed to sit comfortably with their match.

Consider the shape and size of plain platinum and solid gold bands. A small flat or round band will pair well with almost all engagement rings, but the same style with a wider band might not pair as smoothly.

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