Getting engaged is easily one of the most exciting events in a person’s life; it is the first step in preparing  a life that’s sure to be filled with memorable, happy, and challenging moments. Proposing is always an exciting, nerve-wracking experience—for both the proposer and the proposee! So how do you know the right ring to pick? Here are some tips to help you out:

When it comes to picking a ring, a lot of people say to focus on the 4C’s: Color, Cut, Clarity, and Carat.

Color being the whiteness/yellowness of the diamond, with the scale being from D-Z. D being the whitest you can possibly get to Z being yellow. 

Cut is the shape of the diamond, but also how "well" it is cut, on a scale from Excellent-Poor. A diamond that is cut well will sparkle more and look "even" across the entire stone. Cut also includes the shape  (round, pear, oval, marquise, emerald, kite, trillion, princess, rose cut, etc). Round stones are typically a little more expensive than all others.

Clarity is how "clear" a diamond is (how "internally flawed" it is). The scale is from FL (flawless) or IF (internally flawless) to I3 (which is the 3rd level of Included). This one can be kind of hard to understand, but it really just depends on how sensitive you are to seeing "specks'' or other flaws inside your diamond. 

Carat - how big your diamond is! Most people don't know that diamonds "face up" differently depending on their shape and how they are cut. Some diamonds have a lot of depth, and some are very flat (or "spready").

Talk about it beforehand! You obviously want to get your partner the engagement ring of their dreams, so get the details about what they love and don’t love in a ring. Pinterest boards are a great way to find inspiration and get an idea of what they're looking for.

Visiting local jewelry shops are also a great way to see the style and size that is right for you to get. Nothing beats looking at rings in person! Keep in mind, if you are looking to get a custom engagement ring - it can take up to 2 months.