How to Choose an Engagement Ring

If you're wondering how to choose an engagement ring, you're not alone. Finding the perfect ring to propose is exciting until you realize you have no idea what you’re doing. You want to get it right. You want her to love it. 

 

Between figuring out styles and decoding diamond terms, the process can get confusing fast. This guide covers what matters, what doesn't, and how to make smart choices that reflect her style and your budget.

 

At Sziro Jewelry, we’ve helped thousands of couples in Coral Springs, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, and throughout South Florida find rings that feel personal and last for generations. 

Decide if You’re Shopping Solo or Together

Start by asking yourself one question: Are you buying the ring as a surprise, or are you shopping as a couple?

 

It used to be common for men to choose the ring alone and then propose. That still works, especially if she’s been dropping hints or you’ve gotten help from a friend. But these days, many couples prefer to shop together.

 

Trying to keep it a surprise? Ask a trusted friend or family member for advice. Look at the jewelry she wears now. Is it modern or vintage-inspired? Does she prefer yellow gold or white gold? Those small details help you make a better choice.

 

Understand the 4Cs Before Spending a Dollar

The 4 Cs of diamonds are cut, color, clarity, and carat. These are the standards used by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) to grade diamonds. Each one affects the look and price of the stone in different ways.

Cut

Cut refers to how well the diamond’s facets interact with light. It has the biggest impact on sparkle and brilliance. The GIA cut scale includes:

• Excellent – Maximum sparkle and fire

• Very Good – Reflects most light beautifully

• Good – Still offers decent brilliance

• Fair – Less sparkle, slightly duller appearance

• Poor – Limited brilliance, noticeable flaws in light return

Color

Diamond color is graded on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (yellow or brown). Most engagement ring diamonds fall in the D to J range.

• D–F – Colorless: Rare, and most expensive

• G–J – Near colorless: Good value with little visible tint

• K–M – Faint: Very subtle yellow or brownish tint, and budget-friendly. Can still look great in yellow gold settings

• N–R – Very light: Noticeable yellowish or brownish tint, making them less desirable

• S–Z – Light: Very noticeable yellow, brown, or gray tint visible to the naked eye

In most cases, G–K diamonds offer the best balance between price and appearance.

Clarity

Clarity measures the presence of natural inclusions (internal flaws) or blemishes (surface marks) under a 10x microscope. The GIA clarity scale includes:

• FL (Flawless) – No inclusions or blemishes under 10x magnification

• IF (Internally Flawless) – No inclusions, only minor surface blemishes

• VVS1–VVS2 – Very Very Slight Inclusions: Nearly impossible to detect

• VS1–VS2 – Very slight inclusions: Hard to see without magnification

• SI1–SI2 – Slight inclusions: Visible under 10x magnification

• I1–I3 – Inclusions: Are noticeable and may affect appearance or durability

Carat

Carat measures the diamond’s weight, not its size. One carat equals 0.2 grams. While higher carat weights typically mean a larger stone, other factors like cut and shape also affect how big it looks.

• 0.50–0.75 ct – Dainty and classic

• 1.00 ct – Traditional engagement ring size

• 1.25–1.50 ct – Substantial presence

• 2.00+ ct – Bold and luxurious

 

Prices jump significantly at full carat marks. Choosing a stone just below a key threshold (like 0.90 instead of 1.00) can offer better value without a noticeable difference in size.

“You don’t need a top grade in every category,” John says. “We help clients balance what matters most to them so they don’t overspend where it doesn’t count.”

 

Pick the Right Shape

Shape refers to the outline of the diamond. Round is the most classic and popular shape, but also the most expensive. Other common shapes include oval, cushion, pear, princess, and emerald.

Each shape gives a different feel. Round and oval stones offer maximum brilliance. Cushion and pear-shaped diamonds feel more romantic. Emerald and Asscher cuts create a more vintage or architectural look.

Shape sets the tone. A cushion cut looks soft and romantic. An emerald cut looks sleek and confident. It all depends on your partner’s style.

Pay attention to the kind of jewelry she already wears. If she favors clean lines and minimal design, a step-cut stone like emerald might be the way to go. If she likes a bit of flair, pear or marquise could work better.

 

Choose a Setting That Matches Her Lifestyle

The setting holds the diamond in place and defines the overall design of the ring. Some settings are minimal, while others are more decorative. Function and comfort matter too.

Popular settings include:

• Solitaire – Simple, clean, and timeless

• Halo – Adds sparkle with a ring of small diamonds around the center

• Pavé – Features a diamond-covered band

• Three-Stone – Symbolic and bold

• Bezel – A modern, secure style with a metal rim around the diamond

 

You’ll also choose a metal: white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, or platinum. Each has a distinct look and feel. Platinum is the most durable. White gold is the most popular. Yellow and rose gold are warm and classic.

Set a Budget That Works For You

Forget the old rules about spending two or three months’ salary. Choose a number that makes sense for you.

What you can get for that number depends on where you shop. At Sziro Jewelry, everything is custom-made in-house. You’re not paying extra for brand names or retail markups.

“People are surprised how far their money goes when they shop with us,” John says. “We offer quality and craftsmanship without the inflated price.”

If you're planning to propose now and add a wedding band later, that’s worth factoring in too.

Don’t Forget the Final Details

Before you buy, make sure the ring fits. If you want to keep the proposal a surprise, bring in one of her rings to measure or trace the inside.

Ask about jeweler certifications. We provide grading reports so you know what you're getting. We also work with Jewelers Mutual Group to offer jewelry insurance coverage, which gives you peace of mind after the purchase.

And remember, every diamond engagement ring we sell is made with responsibly sourced materials.

Trust a Local Jeweler

Sziro Jewelry is not only a top online custom jewelry store, but we have also been serving Coral Springs, Florida, for over 25 years. 

We’re a family-owned business, and we design and create every ring ourselves in-house. That means you can trust the quality, materials, and craftsmanship.

Although we’re located in Coral Springs, we regularly work with clients from Parkland to Boca Raton to Delray Beach and the surrounding areas. They come to us because they want a diamond engagement ring that feels thoughtful and truly custom.

Start Your Engagement Ring Search With Confidence

Still trying to figure out how to choose an engagement ring? We’ll walk you through it step by step.

Visit us in Coral Springs or explore our diamond engagement ring collection online. Get honest advice, custom craftsmanship, and a ring that feels like it was made for her. Because it was.

To learn more about us, Click Here. If you have any questions, call us at (954) 575-1732 or connect via live chat on our website during business hours: 10:00 AM—5:00 PM EST, Tuesday through Saturday.