Take Her Breath Away With The Perfect Engagement Ring

There’s nothing like the feeling of being in love. Planning your proposal and picking the perfect engagement ring for your soulmate are incredibly exciting moments, but it's easy to get caught up in the romance and end up acting on impulse when ring shopping.

An engagement ring is an extremely significant piece of jewelry that your loved one will wear forever, so you want to make sure you choose the right one for her. To help you do that, here are tips which make finding the perfect engagement ring easy.

Which metals can be used in an engagement ring?

In theory, any metal used to make jewelry could be used in an engagement ring. However, the most popular ones are gold - which has the perk of coming in three different colors: white, yellow, and rose - and platinum.

What's the best metal for an engagement ring?

While there are differences between all metals, the main determining factor when choosing the right one for your loved one is your personal taste. Whether there is a preference for platinum, white gold, yellow gold, or rose gold, every metal has its own special features that will shine just perfectly on her finger.

Consider the style of jewelry your fiancée-to-be wears the most and pick a metal that will enhance the precious stone or diamond you choose.

Platinum

As a naturally white metal, platinum retains its color indefinitely - unlike white gold, which tends to slightly yellow over time. Platinum is also hypoallergenic, so it’s ideal for those with sensitive skin. The density of platinum makes it extremely durable and resistant, so you can be sure that the ring will keep its shine and shape for years to come.

White Gold

This arguably the most common metal for engagement rings. Gold is an incredibly resistant metal that doesn’t rust. While some might find yellow or rose gold too dramatic for them, white gold is neutral, so it’s easy to wear with anything, and it goes wonderfully with any stone you choose, no matter the color.

Yellow Gold

Synonymous with jewelry and riches throughout history, yellow gold is as iconic as it gets. This metal beautifully compliments warm skin tones, and it showcases glamour and confidence. Yellow gold is also the purest of all three gold colors and the easiest to maintain. A bold choice, yellow gold works particularly well with vintage-style settings.

Rose Gold

This is definitely a unique option. Although rose gold engagement rings have been growing in popularity, they’re not as common as other metals, like white gold or platinum. However, rose gold rings are a great option because they’re very durable, more so than yellow or white gold. This shade of gold also complements all skin tones, while giving the ring a vintage and romantic feel.

Center stone cuts

Whether you pick a diamond or another gemstone, there are many options of cuts to choose from - but did you know that a precious stone’s shape is not the same thing as it's cut? While many people use these words interchangeably, shape refers to the stone’s geometric appearance, while cut stands for how a stone reflects light. Here are some of the most popular diamond and gemstone cuts:

Round

Known for their stunning brilliance, round-cut precious stones are the most popular shape for both diamonds and gemstones when it comes to engagement rings. Round cuts give off a classic look and pair beautifully with most settings, from contemporary styles to vintage ones.

Oval

This bold cut is a favorite among those who love to stand out, as this shape makes diamonds and gemstones seem larger than other cuts and gives the ring a graceful brilliance. Oval stones also tend to elongate the finger and add a vintage feel to the engagement ring.

Cushion

A square with rounded corners, this classic cut has been around for nearly 200 years. While this cut tends to be slightly less brilliant than round cuts, cushion cut diamonds have better fire (an optical effect where light is broken into rainbow colors due to refraction), which makes them unique.

Pear

This delicate cut is shaped like a teardrop, has more facets than other styles of cuts, which greatly increases the diamond or gemstone’s brilliance. Known for its exquisite beauty, this shape is a great option for fashion-forward brides.

Princess

Dainty and contemporary, the princess cut is shaped like an inverted pyramid, making it the most brilliant among square and rectangular cut-stones. This stylish, delicate cut is perfect for a trendy woman and looks good in nearly every setting.

Emerald

The Art Deco look of the emerald cut gives the diamond or gemstone an air of old-Hollywood glamour, making it great for vintage-inspired settings. This elegant cut creates a symmetric mirror-like quality that beautifully reflects light in a somber and sophisticated manner.

How to measure an engagement ring

While most engagement rings can be resized without a problem, your loved one will want to wear her ring as soon as she says “yes”, so it’s better to get an engagement ring that’s as close to her finger size as you can.

But don’t try to guess her ring size! Try to sneak a ring your partner often wears on her ring finger and trace it on a piece of paper or take it with you when you go ring shopping. If you think there’s a chance she’ll notice if you do that, try to ask your future mother-in-law or one of her best friends for help. Chances are they have borrowed each other’s rings and know her size!

Ready to find the perfect ring in Virginia?

Schwarzschild Jewelers has had the privilege of being a part of thousands of engagements for over a century.

With locations in Richmond, Charlottesville, and Midlothian, Schwarzschild Jewelers offers a curated selection of engagement rings from world-renowned designers, such as Harry Kotlar, Hearts On Fire, Memoire, and more. Our dedication to perfection and lasting beauty makes each Schwarzschild engagement ring one-of-a-kind.

Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is eager to be a part of that special moment with you.