How to Pick Out the Perfect Engagement Ring

Few things make a man more nervous than shopping for an engagement ring. After all, it's not really something that you can get a lot of practice with. First, it's rather intimidating to approach your girlfriend about the topic of engagement rings, especially if you're still quite a ways off from popping the actual question. Let me tell you guys, the mere mention of engagement rings will bring expectations, excitement and a lot of really fast, unfamiliar words! Prepare your mind to be baffled and overloaded with words like "halo" and "princess cut" and "clarity." This is not the time to zone out! This is not the time to consult Google or Siri. Relying on those resources will bring you thousands and thousands of options, advice and styles that are destined to make you feel faint.

Once you nail down your lady's preferred style, this is only the beginning. You must find the perfect store for the perfect ring. You must ensure that you're getting what you pay for. You must determine her ring size. The carats, the clarity, the color, the list goes on. However, you are not alone in this terrifying journey. Choosing a reputable store will eliminate the majority of the stress and alleviate the pressure. By working with a knowledgeable and honest sales associate, you can rest assured that the ring you purchase will be exactly what she wants. 

We sought the expertise of Darin Sorg, the vice president and co-owner of Sorg Jewelers in Elkhart and Goshen, Indiana. Darin is a registered jeweler with the American Gem Society and a Diamond Graduate from the Gemological Institute of America. Sorg Jewelers has been in business since 1900 and has been a family-owned and -operated enterprise with the reputation, awards and recognition to show for all of their years in business. Darin walked us through the beginning to the end--and all of the in-between in how to go about purchasing the perfect engagement ring.

WD: What is the first thing you ask men/couples who come looking for the perfect engagement ring?

Darin: The very first thing we do is welcome them into our store.  All of our trained and caring sales associates are non-commissioned and charged with providing our clients the very best in client service.  We try to provide a very comfortable and relaxed atmosphere as they go down the journey of finding just the right ring that will symbolize their love for each other.  As they get acquainted with all the rings and styles we have, then we will ask what she likes in engagement rings and what she has envisioned in her head as just the perfect engagement ring for her. This is a time we listen, as we accommodate and find the ring she has in mind, or that he has in mind for her.

WD: What is one piece of advice you would like to offer when picking out an engagement ring?

Darin: It may feel overwhelming at first, but try and be patient just take it in stride.  Have faith that you’ll make the right decision, it just may take a while to get there.

WD: What type of engagement rings are trendy/popular right now? Why?

Darin: The halo look engagement rings are still tending to be a sought after style.  You can achieve a great “Wow” factor by having the major diamond nestled and surrounded by many other small diamonds.  That said, the simplicity of a solitaire engagement ring is slowly making a comeback.  Also yellow gold, with some minimal attention to rose gold, are at the very front end of the fashion trend.  The east and west coasts, including what the Hollywood stars are wearing are the typical trendsetters.

WD: Do you see more men who surprise their fiance’  by picking out the ring on their own or do they bring their significant other shopping with them?

Darin: Typically, we see the couples begin their experience together.  There, he gets an idea of what she likes, and then he returns by himself to make the final choice.  However, there are exceptions to this possible scenario.  For instance, the boyfriend may ask her and then they go look for her engagement ring together.  Or, perhaps the boyfriend shops with some of her best friends or family (a circle of trust) and gets some ideas as what they think she will like?  But just as long as they can keep a secret!  Or, maybe the girlfriend will ask her boyfriend?! There are many possibilities.

WD: What should men look for in a ring? Clarity, color, cut, etc?

Darin: Diamonds are the most sought after product from the earth’s crust.  Diamonds are roughly 3.4 billion years old.  Nothing is sold older than a diamond.  As a person interested in buying a diamond will come to find out, diamonds vary as great in price as that do in quality. Most people have heard of the 4 C’s, which refers to the four different factors of a how a diamond is evaluated.  (1) Carat weight (how big), (2) Cut (how well proportioned), (3) Color (how colorless) and (4) Clarity (how many small characteristics are inside the diamond).

The first is the carat weight, which is easy to understand because it merely is the diamond’s weight.  100 points equals one (1) full carat. For example .75 (point 75) carat is the same as 75% of 1 full carat.  The bigger the diamond, the rarer it is.  The next quality factor, which is the most important, is the cut of the diamond.  Do not confuse this with the shape of the diamond.  The finer the proportions of a diamond, the better it will refract light, creating greater sparkle, fire and scintillation to your eyes.  The third factor in which a person should know about when buying a diamond is color.  How colorless or how yellowish is the diamond?  The fourth factor is the clarity of the diamond.  How free is the diamond from internal and external characteristics, and what are they and where are they located?  These 4 factors are taken collectively and the price will relate back to the quality and rarity of the diamond.  

Understanding the 4 C’s is important to buying the best quality diamond possible with the budget someone has.  Just as there are no 2 diamonds alike, quality and value can mean different things.  Consumers should be aware of “sales” and huge discount promotions on diamonds and jewelry.  They think they are buying bargains, but what they’re probably buying is the illusion of bargains.  For instance, let’s say the boyfriend buys a diamond ring for $2,000.  He was told that it would normally sell for $4,500, but in truth, it’s only worth $2,000 – sometimes less.  Price and value are not the same.  That is why trust is a huge factor when buying a diamond.  The quality of the diamonds and the quality of how the ring itself is built, is very important.  Whatever money you feel comfortable spending, the overall quality should out-win -- over the size of the center diamond or overall carat weight.  She’ll love the fact that you selected her ring based on the how pretty it looked over the other choices.

WD: How they can be sure of the quality of the ring they pick out?

Darin: Looking to buy an engagement ring is an important buying decision that should not be taken lightly.   It’s so important to work with skilled and trained people in the jewelry industry that will take the time to help them find her/his ring, and just as nice (if not better) of how they envisioned it.  In jewelry, trust is an essential facet in what makes clients feel comfortable with their purchases.  Unsure consumers may what to consult with an American Gem Society member (AmericanGemSociety.org).  

They are a fine and elite group of jewelry professionals that set the benchmark with respect to quality, knowledge and consumer protection. Do you feel comfortable with the store you are in?  How long have they been in business?  How about the salesperson(s)?  What accreditations does the store and staff have in their diamond training?  Consider asking friends or family for their opinion on where to go for a diamond ring.  Another consideration would be to consult with the Better Business Bureau (BBB.org).  That way, it may put some of your anxieties at ease, as you shop for something that you know little or nothing about.

WD: Walk us through the process that you use with people shopping for an engagement ring.

Darin: As I’ve mentioned before, we do not have any commissioned associates.  Immediately, I think that helps set the stage for a phenomenal experience for anyone that visits us.  Again, most of our staff are professionally trained and certified with the American Gem Society.  We are honored to have earned the award of Elkhart County’s BEST Jewelry Store for five consecutive years.  That doesn’t happen by accident, as we always continue to work hard and get better every day.  With Sorg Jewelers, you’ll be met with a relaxed atmosphere in what can start out to be a nerve racking phase for some.  We try and build a relationship with each and every one that enters our stores.  Once again, to fully understand what we have to offer, we invite you to experience it for yourselves.

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PabloLincoln

March 3, 2017

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Picking the perfect rings for engagement is the real happiness for me. And we already planned to buy beautiful rings to make our day more special and memorable one. My friend asked me to check https://www.elmajewellery.co.uk/his-hers-ring-sets-c-32.html and I got the perfect couple ring set for our day. I could imagine the rest of our life filled with love and affection.

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