diamond ring in ring box

Engagement Ring
Shopping Guide  

From buying an engagement ring to
proposing to your love, we got you covered.

Ready to propose?

According to a recent survey, we found it took an average of 7 months for the proposers to know their partner was “the one”.*

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49%

received hints from their partner
about getting engaged

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54%

watched marriage-related
TV shows or movies

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50%

of partners left wedding
magazines out

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40%

stopped to look at rings
in jewelry stores

beach proposal

If you feel it’s time to pop the question, we’re here to help. We’ve specialized in all things jewelry since 1913 and know a few things about keeping the ring safe.

 

Did you know…

  • Over 70% of households with an engagement ring consider the ring one of the most expensive items they own.**

  • AND most rings (60%) are not insured prior to the proposal.*

 

We’re here to show you how to protect the ring before popping the question and throughout your years of wedded bliss.

How to Choose an Engagement Ring

The wide range of engagement and wedding ring options is enough to make anyone’s head spin.
Things to consider when buying an engagement ring:

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Think big picture

Look at current trends, visit your significant other’s Pinterest board, ask a friend/family member, determine the type of stone.

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Stone characteristics

Consider cut, quality and size.

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Metal type

Choose the color and durability.

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Lifestyle

Does your significant other have a physical job or enjoy being active?

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Heritage

Is there a family heirloom to keep in mind?

Helpful Resources

If you have your eye on a diamond as the center stone, this Diamond Carat Size Chart is a helpful tool to help you shop. While lots of jewelers and jewelry industry sources provide size charts for round diamonds, this chart allows you to compare carat weights across the most popular shapes.

Don’t know what size ring you need? Get an idea with our Printable Ring Sizer.

Choosing a Jeweler

If you choose the right jeweler, you don’t need to have all the answers. A quality jeweler will know all this and more and be happy to teach you the ropes.  

Here are some ways to find the right jeweler for you:

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1. Ask for recommendations.

Family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers are good places to start.

Word-of-mouth is king. In an industry as relationship-driven as jewelry, a recommendation from a trusted friend or family member is gold. (Pun intended.)

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2. Seek out reviews.

Turn to social media and check ratings from the Better Business Bureau watchdogs.

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3. Ask for certification from your jeweler.

You’ll want a jeweler that has educated, certified specialists on staff to handle not only your questions but any repairs or custom work you may need. Some credentials to look for: Graduate Gemologist, Registered Jeweler, Certified Gemologist, Certified Gemologist Appraiser, or Certified Sales Associate.

Any of these credentials show training from one of two leading industry educators – American Gem Society  or  Gemological Institute of America.

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engaged couple
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4. Check the fine print.

Review the return policy, warranties, etc. You will want to make sure the jeweler will have your back if anything goes wrong.

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5. Think beyond the initial purchase.

Does the jeweler offer post-sale services, such as cleanings and repairs? Great jewelers strive to provide lifelong customer service to their clients.

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6. Meet with jewelers.

See if you are a good match. It’s important to have a good rapport with and feel comfortable around any jeweler you are considering.

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7. Go with your gut.

There are many great jewelers out there. If you’re visiting one and a red flag pops up, don’t be afraid to cross them all off the list. There are many more sparkly fish in the jeweler sea. We promise.

Finding the right jeweler helps relieve your stress and makes finding the perfect ring easier and even enjoyable. You can also turn to reputable jewelers associations such as American Gem Society and Jewelers of America to find trusted, local jewelers in your area.

Have a jeweler in mind?

Prepare yourself with these five questions to ask them when engagement ring shopping.

Determining how much to spend on a ring.

How much should an engagement ring cost? Here are four approaches to making the ring purchase a reality.

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1. Set a budget and stick to it.

There are many factors that come into play when figuring out your engagement ring budget: your current income, your monthly expenses, your savings, and ring preferences.

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2. Ring shop, then save.

Make a date and ring shop together to see what’s out there, determine what you like and how much it will cost you so you can better prepare.

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3. Buy smart now, upgrade later.

Consider choosing a more affordable ring now, with a plan to upgrade a few years down the road.

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4. Finance your ring purchase.

In the end, it should cost as much as what make sense for your preferences, goals, and budget.

engagement ring

Insuring the ring

Should you insure an engagement ring? In most cases, the answer is yes.

Ask yourself these questions:
If the engagement ring I purchased disappeared today, would I be...

- Devastated about the sentimental loss?
- Unable to cover the cost to replace it?
- Subjected to coverage limits with my current insurance?


If you answered yes to any of these questions, jewelry insurance is something worth considering.

Did you know...

Homeowners insurance may not be enough.

In most cases, your homeowners or renters policy is a “named perils” policy, which means a loss isn’t covered unless it was listed specifically in your policy booklet and even then, the amount of coverage offered may be less than the value of the jewelry you possess.

In addition, a jewelry claim filed on your homeowners policy could affect your entire policy. This means if your jewelry was ever stolen, lost or damaged and you had to file a claim, your premium could go up or your eligibility could be affected at renewal.

See How We Compare Jewelers Mutual Group Typical Homeowners Typical Rider
Loss checkmark X symbol checkmark
Theft checkmark checkmark checkmark
Damage checkmark Not always covered Not always covered
Disappearance checkmark X symbol checkmark
Flood or Earthquake checkmark Not always covered Not always covered
Worldwide Travel checkmark checkmark checkmark
Out-of-Pocket Cost $0 deductible option Homeowners deductible applies May have a deductible

Jewelry insurance doesn’t have to be expensive.

Rates are based on several factors, including where you live. But for most people, jewelry insurance will cost 1-2% of the value of their jewelry. For example, a $5,000 engagement ring could cost as little as $50 per year to insure.

Ring already in hand? Find out how much jewelry insurance would cost you right now.

 

A current appraisal is recommended and, in some cases, required.

A jewelry appraisal assigns value to your entire piece, considering the setting and any stones. An appraisal is used to set the coverage limit on your policy. Insuring your jewelry for its current retail replacement value is vital should you have a claim. Jewelers Mutual Group recommends getting an updated appraisal every two years.

 

The ideal person to insure the engagement ring is whomever has it in their possession first.

In some cases, you can even apply for jewelry insurance right on your phone before you leave the jeweler.

A lot can happen between the ring purchase and the big day (and beyond). Jewelry insurance provides peace of mind to wear the ring without worrying knowing it’s protected.

Storing the ring

After the proposal, the biggest question and concern is how to store the ring – and keep it hidden.

 

Top Engagement Ring Hiding Places

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1

Home Safe

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2

Shoebox

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3

Parents' House

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4

Work

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5

On My Person

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6

Car

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7

Jewelry Store

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8

Bank Safe

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9

Friend

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10

Sock Drawer

While it may be your first thought to hide the ring in your sock drawer or glove compartment of your car (many people do!) these are not safe options.

Your two safest options are to:


1. Leave it with your jeweler.

Ask the jeweler who sold you the ring if they let customers leave their already purchased rings in their possession until you’re ready to propose. 

2. Rent a safe deposit box.

A safe deposit box at your bank is a safe choice for storing an engagement ring.

If you’re proposing on vacation…

  • Keep the ring with you at all times

  • Avoid putting it in checked luggage

  • Keep in a hotel safe when not carrying it

As careful and cautious as you are with keeping the ring safe, mistakes happen. A Jewelers Mutual repair or replacement policy covers the ring for accidental loss, damage, theft, or disappearance, even when you’re traveling anywhere in the world.

*Survey conducted by OnePoll for Jewelers Mutual Group with a sample of 1,000 engaged or married men and 1,000 men recently married in the past two years, 2019.

**Jewelers Mutual Group Trigger Study, 300 personal lines policyholder sample, November 2020.