4 Things You Must Know Before You Go Jewelry Shopping For Your Big Day

July 18th, 2019

Whether you’re proposing for the first time or renewing your vows, searching for the perfect ring can be nerve-wracking. At Floyd & Green, Aiken’s Crown Jeweler and premier online jewelry store, we do our best to make the process as smooth as possible. To help, we’ve compiled this list of the four things you need to know before you go jewelry shopping for your big day.

1.     Communication is key

As with any relationship, communication is an important aspect of choosing a ring. Do you and your partner agree on the budget? Do you have an idea of what style ring your partner would like? Does your partner even want a ring, or would she prefer another piece of jewelry, like a necklace?

These are all important things to consider when choosing the right piece of jewelry, but they’re also questions that become easier to answer with open lines of communication. Talking to your partner about marriage and her preferred style of engagement can prove to be beneficial in the long run.

2.     Get certifications and authentications

GIA is the world’s foremost authority on diamonds, gemstones and jewelry standards. All full-carat, brilliant-cut diamonds should come with a GIA certification. For every other stone, GIA has issued the rule of “4Cs:” cut, clarity, color and carat weight.

At Floyd and Green we have a reputable jeweler in house appraise and inspect the gemstone you decide on for flaws and worth. You may want to search through an online jewelry store or two for stones to use in the ring, many of which offer their own authentications and warranties. Hearts on Fire jewelry, for example, promises to provide only diamonds that follow current guidelines for ethical sourcing. Floyd & Green Jewelers has been an American Gem Society-certified jeweler since 1992, a certification that only one out of 20 jewelers receive.

3.     Diamonds are forever – but not the only option

Diamonds were in no way expected for engagement rings until 1948 when Mary Frances Gerety wrote the De Beers diamond company’s famous slogan “A Diamond is Forever.” Opening up your ring design to other gemstones in turn opens up whole new possibilities of meaning: you could include your and your partner’s birthstones or a gem that has been passed down from another family member.

4.     Give yourself time

A good rule of thumb is give yourself at least six weeks between ordering the ring and popping the question. Rings can take a few weeks to arrive once ordered, and it may take longer to arrive if you chose to order a custom design.

If you find yourself on a time crunch, another option is to purchase the display ring and have it resized later on. Just remember that it is easier to go from a larger band to a smaller band, so we recommend purchasing a ring on the larger end of your size estimate.

At Floyd & Green Jewelers, we make a commitment to finding the perfect piece of jewelry for each and every customer. You can browse our selection in the store or in our online jewelry store for the perfect ring, including Hearts on Fire jewelry. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call 803-649-6005 or visit www.FloydAndGreen.com.