Getting married is a big step in your life. A wedding means that you have finally found that special person with whom you want to spend the rest of your life. Of course, before there can be a wedding, there must be an engagement. An engagement is a time to get to know each other more fully and start planning your life together. There will be many practical decisions to be made, such as where you will live and how your married life will work. There will also be decisions to be made about the wedding ceremony itself. Where will it take place? How many people can you invite to join you? Another part of the wedding ceremony is usually an exchange of rings. However, before you can think about the wedding ceremony and the exchange of rings, there is the engagement ring to purchase.

Why does the engagement ring matter?

The time between asking someone to marry you and the day of the wedding can often be an extended period. There could be months or even years between these two days. An engagement ring is a statement of intention. The ring says to your beloved and all those who see the ring that you intend for you both to be together. Choosing the most suitable ring for your life partner is essential. Diamond engagement rings are one of the more popular choices, but diamond rings come in so many varieties it can be hard to know where to start. Here are two things that you must consider before you select a ring.

Do you have a budget?

The cost of the ring should never be the only factor you consider, but you can't ignore it, and it's best to have a rough budget in mind before you enter the shop. Perhaps, you can stretch your budget a little if you see a ring that you particularly like, but there is no sense in blowing all of your savings on an engagement ring when you should be saving for your life together. Conversely, no future partner is likely to be impressed if you buy the cheapest ring you can find. When looking at diamond engagement rings, it is best to value appearance over price and think about which ring in your budget range will best complement your partner.

What impression should the ring make?

Diamond engagement rings are as varied as the people who wear them. You can get ring bands in yellow gold, white gold, silver and platinum. Not only will the different colours produce varied effects depending on the skin tone of the wearer, but different metals will wear away at different rates, so think about how often the ring will need to be removed. When it comes to diamond engagement rings, some will always pick the largest diamond they can afford. Their reasoning may be understandable, but biggest isn't always best. Sometimes a smaller diamond in an elegant setting can produce a more attractive appearance.