Buying Guide - Wedding Ring

Selecting the perfect ring for any occasion can seem a bit daunting. At Mariloff, we understand that every fine jewelry purchase is an important one, and we are committed to helping you select the perfect piece. We’ve created the following Buying Guide to offer advice and suggestions to make this process as uncomplicated as possible.

Establish a realistic budget.
This will keep you on track throughout your purchase. The recognized standard for engagement rings is two months’ salary. Depending on the occasion, start with this standard and adjust accordingly.

Once your budget is established, give yourself a little time to prepare. Take a week or two to gather information on her style of jewelry. Take a look at the jewelry she currently owns. Talk to friends and family members. Never hesitate to involve a trusted friend in your process. Find out as much as you can. The following questions are a great place to start.

What precious metal does she prefer?
Platinum, Yellow Gold or White Gold? The bulk of this decision is personal preference. All three metals make excellent semimountings. Learn more about precious metals .

When it comes to fine jewelry, is there a style she favors?
Simple and classic? Bold and contemporary? Ornate and sophisticated?

Has she openly admired any rings?
Marked any pages in magazines? Commented on a ring worn by a friend or family member? Shopped a particular Web site with a distinctive style?

Take into consideration her hobbies and her lifestyle.
Is she active and always on the go? If so, consider a bezel setting or a channel setting, one where the diamonds are completely encased in metal. Prong settings sit on top of the band and are less protected. Repeated bumps will loosen the prongs and may chip the diamond.

Consider purchasing one of our brilliantly cut loose stones.
That way, the two of you can select the perfect setting together. In order to select the perfect diamond, you need to know what you’re looking for. Click here to read our Diamond Buying Guide . It will take you through the Four Cs of diamonds, discussing in depth each of the certification criteria.

What shape of diamond does she prefer?
This can also guide your setting selection process. Settings are often created for one or two different diamond shapes. The most popular shape for engagement rings is round brilliant; second is princess and princess plus.

Princess Plus diamonds display a radiance no other diamond is capable of. This is due to the extraordinary cutting technique that creates 101 facets on each stone. The result is breathtaking. There are few retailers that even offer this majestic cut. We are one of them. Learn more about Princess Plus .

If you are purchasing an engagement ring with the hopes of finding a matching band, you may be interested to know matching bands are not required. Again, this is a point of personal preference. There are typically a number of bands that complement each semimounting. They need not be created together to shine together.

Similarly, men’s wedding bands do not have to be a masculine interpretation of the women’s band. It is acceptable for men to reflect their personal style with their band. We recommend Comfort Fit Bands as well.

Comfort Fit
A style of men’s wedding rings where the inside of the band is rounded. This raises the ring just enough so it is not flush with the finger. The extra space creates a cushion so that the finger never feels pinched or squeezed by the ring.

Find your ring size .