When you put the engagement ring on your chosen one's finger, it's a huge moment, and everything should ideally be absolutely perfect. Therefore, of course the one going to propose, will do their utmost to choose an engagement ring that their partner is going to love.
When it comes to finding the perfect engagement ring, there are usually many things to consider. What it should look like, how wide the ring should be, how big the stone, etc. But in addition, there are also a lot of unwritten rules and traditions that many are a little unsure about, but would like to know.
Therefore, in this blog post, we will try to help you in finding the perfect engagement ring and what unwritten rules and traditions exist.
How to find the perfect engagement ring
When you need to find the perfect engagement ring, there are a number of things that you might want to consider.
Find your lover's personal jewellery style
If you're not already sure, you should find out what your partners jewellery style is. Does she/he prefer the minimalistic style, where it should be small and simple, or is she/he more into the voluminous and extravagant?
Take a look at what your partner wears on a daily basis, or take a sneak peek into their jewellery box and find out more about the matter.
What material should the ring be made of?
When wearing jewellery on a daily basis, many people have a preferred material. Therefore, you should find out which material is your partners favourite. are they into gold or silver, or what about rose gold, white gold, platinum or something completely different. It is important to know their personal jewellery style to ensure that the ring will be to their liking.
Expression and size of diamond
There is no formula for what size a diamond should be in an engagement ring. Whether the center stone is 0.40 carat, 0.70 carat, 0.90 carat, or maybe even 5 carat, is an individual choice. It's mostly about finding one (or more) stones that fit your budget and the person who will be wearing the ring.
We have gemmologists and diamond graders with training from GIA in New York in our team, and with solid suppliers behind us, we can always advise and guide you to the best choice - regardless of whether the dream is a cushion cut, oval cut, a whole third kind of fancy cut, or classic brilliant-cut diamond.
Find the ring size
When the ring is to be put on, it is of course vital that it fits properly. The ring can of course always be resized, but it's always a nice touch if it fits perfectly on the first try. If you don't know the ring size, there are a few ways you can find out.
Read tips and tricks on how to find the perfect ring size here.
Traditions and unwritten rules about engagement rings
With engagement rings, there are also a number of different traditions and unwritten rules that can be a lot of fun to know. Which finger should the engagement ring sit on, how much should it really cost, etc.
The most important thing is of course that you do it entirely as you wish, but many would like to know about the fun rules and traditions that exist after all.
Which hand should the engagement ring sit on?
According to Danish traditions, the engagement ring sits on the left hand and the wedding ring is on the right hand. An old myth says, among other things, that it is believed that the vein of love, called "vena amoris", runs from the heart to the ring finger of the left hand. At the same time, the right hand is used during the wedding to take the oath of allegiance, which is why the wedding ring is on the right hand. Just as the right hand is traditionally used to make vows with.
But even if the left hand is the most commonly used, it is entirely up to you, and there is no definitive answer as to what is right and wrong. There may also be factors such as work, free time or health, which may determine if it makes the most sense for the engagement ring to sit on the right hand rather than the left.
If you choose to get a set of new wedding rings for the wedding itself, the engagement ring should remain the left hand.
The Danish tradition for the wedding ring sit on the right hand, is atypical compared to other countries such as the USA, Canada and Sweden. Here, there is a tradition for both the wedding and the engagement ring to sit together on the left hand.
Which finger should the engagement ring be on?
The most traditional position for the engagement ring is the ring finger.
Should both partners have an engagement ring?
The short answer is that it is entirely up to you whether your partner should also have an engagement ring. Most commonly the person who gets proposed to, wears an engagement ring that they receive at the proposal, and then subsequently a wedding ring for the wedding. Commonly, only the woman wears an engagement ring, while the man waits until the wedding to get a wedding ring on his finger. While other customs we have seen are for example, some couples choose a set of plain engagement rings in silver and and at the wedding they either switch hands or replace them with a ring in gold to symbolize the transition from engagement to marriage.
Can you use the engagement ring as a wedding ring?
Yes, you can also easily do that. In fact, there are many who choose to use their engagement ring, if they choose a more plain engagement band as opposed to an actual solitaire engagement ring, as a wedding ring, where they have been spiffed up with either extra diamonds or something else. But there are also many who buy both engagement and wedding rings. There is usually a tradition that the engagement ring is more extravagant and creates more attention than the wedding ring itself, which is often more classic.
How much should an engagement ring cost?
Perhaps you've heard some say that an engagement ring should cost the equivalent of three months' salary - at least that is commonly heard especially in the US. If you ask us, is not something that should play a big role, it shouldn't be about the price at all.
The most important thing is that you find the engagement ring that you think your chosen one will love and enjoy. What you are comfortable paying for the ring is of course up to you and no one else.
Our experience tells us that most people, at least in most of Europe, end up paying the equivalent of in between a half to a full month's salary for the engagement ring.
Engagement rings are available in many different price ranges depending on the material, design and choice of stone. At Bolou, we can help you find the perfect engagement ring that matches both your preferences and budget.
Let us help you find the perfect engagement ring
Since 2006, we have advised on jewellery gifts in connection with weddings and other anniversaries. That is why we would of course also like to help you find the perfect engagement ring.
When you come to the first appointment, we will help you uncover the most essential success criteria for the perfect engagement ring. Through dialogue, we will among others guide you on important considerations when choosing the perfect engagement ring. You can find inspiration on the site for the designs we have at BOLOU in the engagement rings and wedding rings category. You can also come and check out our books of hand drawn ring sketches.
Our most distinguished task is to advise on the right choice, where you get the most for your budget, as well as to create a ring according to specific wishes and our own high demands for the quality of the craftsmanship. Contact us here if you want to know more.
We also specialize in other types of jewellery for weddings and engagements, including earrings , necklaces and pendants , bracelets and rings . These will finish off the wedding look elegantly. We are here to assist you whenever you may need it.
