Whether you’re shopping for that special someone, a loved one, or simply just treating yourself, buying a ring is an exciting – albeit arduous task. Walking into a jewellery store, you’re bound to be met with hundreds of glistening gems which can easily make you feel overwhelmed. Besides picking the prettiest ring you can find, there are a few things you should know before going ring shopping such as how to measure your ring size. Here’s four things to keep in mind before stepping foot in the jewellers.
Know your ring size
Before you even step foot into a jewellery store, one of the most crucial parts of ring shopping for a ring is knowing your exact ring size. Having your ring size memorised is handy, it saves you time in the store and can help you avoid having to resize your new ring later, which can sometimes affect the ring’s look and structure.
If you’re wondering how to measure your ring size, it’s quite simple. You can easily measure your own size at home using a printable ring sizer. Alternatively, using a piece of string wrapped and a ruler, you can convert the centimetres into an accurate ring size. For example, a finger circumference of 5.5 cm is a ring size 7.
When it comes to finding your accurate ring size, make sure to measure your finger at the end of the day when your hands are warm. Our fingers tend to swell throughout the day which means if you measure it in the morning, your ring may start to feel snug later in the day.
Understand the 4Cs for diamonds (or alternatives)
If the ring you’re shopping for happens to be a diamond ring, you should arm yourself with knowledge about the 4Cs before setting foot in the store. The 4Cs are: Cut, Clarity, Colour, and Carat. The quality and price of your diamond depends on the level of each “C”. For example, a well-cut diamond will reflect light beautifully and appear to be more shiny. A high clarity diamond also means that the diamond has less flaws such as cloudiness, scratches, chips or spots.
If diamonds aren’t your taste, there are a number of ethical alternatives like sapphires, emeralds, and even lab-grown diamonds such as moissanite. Not only are these just as gorgeous, they’re generally more affordable, too.
Choose the right metal
Besides the right size and gemstone, the metal you choose for your ring is another important decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Aesthetically, some complexions suit gold better while others are more radiant when paired with silver. Besides this, choosing the right metal is also important depending on your lifestyle and how often you plan to wear it.
Platinum is often considered the most durable option because it’s both hypoallergenic and highly resistant to tarnishing. Gold is classic and timeless, but depending on the karat, it might be prone to scratches and tarnishing. Metals like titanium or tungsten are both modern and sleek but they’re also scratch-resistant which makes them a perfect choice for someone wanting to wear their ring everyday.
Pick a gem that matches your lifestyle
Not only should your lifestyle play a significant role in what metal you choose, but also what gemstone. If you lead an active lifestyle or work with your hands, it’s important to consider what gemstones you’ll pick for your ring. Diamonds are a classic choice because of how highly durable and scratch-resistant they are.
Whilst pearls are gorgeous on rings, they’re quite soft and can scratch easily which means they’re not the best choice for everyday wear. Similarly, gemstones like tourmaline are pretty to look at, but due to its hardness, it can chip or break easily, which makes it not an ideal everyday ring.
