If you have finally met your soulmate and you wish to spend the rest of your life with this person, your thoughts will no doubt turn to the ring; assuming you wish to stick to tradition with a diamond engagement ring, here are a few common mistakes to avoid when looking for the ideal diamond engagement ring.

• Not setting a budget – This usually leads to spending more than you had originally planned; better to calculate how much you are prepared to spend on the ring and stick within your budget. When it comes to engagement rings, why not have the ring custom-made by a skilled Australian custom jeweller? It is no more expensive to have the ring designed and handcrafted by a skilled jeweller and if ever there was a time for a custom solution, it would be an engagement.
• Buying gemstones with no official certification – Every diamond should have certification from a governing body such as GIA, which is an accurate grading using the 4C system, namely Colour, Cut, Clarity and Carat, or weight. Once a diamond has been cut and polished, it is sent off to be graded and the certificate stays with the diamond if it is ever sold.
• Not consulting with your partner – Imagine buying a diamond engagement ring that she doesn’t like. Of course, if she loves you, she might be able to hide her disappointment, but the best way forward is to include her in the design of the ring. The number of men who prefer to surprise their partner with a marriage proposal is falling, as men prefer to include their partner in the ring design to ensure she is 100% happy with the ring. Click here for tips when buying a men’s engagement ring.
• Buying the wrong size – Some guys forget the most important thing of all, the size of the ring. Of course, it isn’t the end of the world as the ring can be resized by a custom jeweller. If you are planning a surprise proposal, you need to somehow find out her ring size; one of her trusted friends might be able to help with this.
• Failing to consider custom solutions – Some people mistakenly assume that having the diamond ring made by a custom jeweller is out of their price range; it might surprise you to learn that designing and making a diamond engagement ring is on apar with choosing a ring from the jewellery store shelf. Take the budget you had prepared and talk to a leading Australian custom jeweller and see what he can do for you. There are many advantages to having the ring custom-made; it will fit, and you get to choose the gemstones, the cut and the metal band.

Whether you are planning a surprise engagement or are going to invite your soulmate to assist in the design, we recommend having the ring made by a custom jeweller.