Engagement Ring Buying Guide

Buying an engagement ring can be pricey, so you'll want to stick to a budget. Here are some tips for budgeting your engagement ring purchase:

• Add up your monthly expenses and see how much you have left to work with.
• Look into financing options to spread out the purchase.
• Save up what you can until you're ready to shop.
• The ring you buy now doesn’t have to be their forever ring. Many people opt for an affordable starter ring, like a promise ring, and upgrade later to reflect their growing relationship – and income.

In order to get the best diamond you can for your budget, you need to be familiar with the 4Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat weight.

• Cut is arguably the most important C. The better the cut, the more sparkle the diamond has.
• In diamonds, you are looking for a lack of color. The less color, the higher the grade.
• Most diamonds have imperfections called inclusions. Less of them means better clarity.
• Carat actually refers to a diamond's weight and not its size. Bigger is not always better.

Finding the correct ring size before buying an engagement ring is important but it can be difficult to figure out without giving away proposal plans. Here are some tips to help.

• Bring a ring they wear on their right-hand ring finger to a KAY store for sizing.
• Explore our ring size guide and get an idea for yourself.
• Work with friends or family to figure out the right size.
• Just ask! The proposal details can still be your little secret.

How do you know what kind of engagement ring your significant other will like? To buy an engagement ring that fits their style, pay attention to the details.

• Do they dress boldly and brightly? Consider a gemstone or black diamond ring. If they dress more traditionally, solitaire or three-stone styles are a good starting place.
• Check out their Pinterest to see if they have a wedding or general jewelry board.
• Just ask! They might guess what you're up to but finding a ring they'll love is worth it.

Protecting your ring is easy with our Forever Cherished Protection Plan and Lifetime Diamond and Gemstone Guarantee.

• Forever Cherished Protection Plan: With one payment, you get coverage for your jewelry’s lifetime, so you can feel secure wearing it.
• Lifetime Diamond and Gemstone Guarantee: We guarantee our diamond, sapphire, ruby, and emerald jewelry for a lifetime, as long as you let us inspect it every six months.