Congratulations! You’ve met your match, ‘The One,’ and have decided to pop the question. You are now starting to think about the engagement ring…does ‘hitting a brick wall,’ spring to mind?! Where on earth do you start?
Don’t panic! Although this is a very exciting time, it can also be hugely daunting and that’s why we spoke to Michael Frank Jewellers, who specialise in bespoke engagement rings, wedding rings and jewellery, for some tips and advice.
Where do you even start when trying to choose an engagement ring?
Designing and commissioning engagement rings should be a wonderful experience. Full of emotion, joy, excitement and signifying a new chapter in your life. Therefore, always feel comfortable with whom you choose. Feel free to laugh and get excited and enjoy the whole experience. Let the jeweller inspire you not just ‘sell’ you a ring. And DEFINITELY never feel pressured into buying something you are not sure about.
Couples should have a personal and exciting experience when choosing and designing their engagement rings and be able to talk face to face with a trained and experienced jeweller who will guide them through the process with enthusiasm and ease. That is why we also offer free consultations, and the process is not rushed. If clients are undecided, they can return and see us as many times as they like until they feel confident with their choices. This is one of the reasons we ask clients to book appointments. It ensures that we can dedicate our time to them, and everyone is made to feel important, confident and benefit fully from the time they spend with us.
How Much Money Should You Spend on an Engagement Ring?
The suggestion that you should spend 2- or 3-months’ salary on the price of an engagement ring is nothing but good marketing on the part of DeBeers, an international corporation that specialises in diamond mining, diamond retail and diamond trading and other US advertisers in the 1980’s in the 1930s, at the start of the De Beers campaign, a single month's salary was the suggested ring spend. In the 1980s in the US, it became two months, again as part of a marketing campaign.
Thankfully modern society has changed somewhat and at Michael Frank Jewellers we encourage you to spend what you are comfortable with. This is completely personal to each individual couple. It is one of the reasons we like clients to come in and have a consultation, so that we can the process and the costs involved. Helping clients make an informed decision.
How Long Does It Take to Buy an Engagement Ring?
We do have engagement rings already made and available to purchase in store but if having a ring designed and made, the process is very individual to the client’s needs. We are extremely busy and make numerous rings on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. That’s why we always suggest clients come for a consultation sooner rather than later so that we can make their rings in time for when they need them.
Some designs require a CAD (Computer aided design), and the client may return a few times to revise their design which can lengthen the time it takes to make the ring. We generally quote anytime between 2-10 weeks.
Have you any tips when thinking about style for partner - how will I know what they like?
We find that many couples now come in together to choose engagement rings However, if you are planning a surprise proposal then make sure you work with a jeweller that is flexible and will help with re-sizing and possible re-designing after the event, just in case the engagement ring needs a little bit more work to check every box.
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