How to Choose an Engagement Ring for a Surprise Proposal

So, you've found the perfect partner and you want to surprise her with a proposal.

First and foremost – congratulations! Finding the person you want to spend the rest of your life with is a huge milestone.

When you find that special someone, you want to give them a proposal they will remember and cherish forever. A surprise proposal is a great opportunity to show your love and appreciation with a beautiful engagement ring.

To choose the perfect ring for your partner, there are many factors to consider. From style to materials, there all sorts of options to help you get the ideal ring for her.

In this article, we will break down everything you need to know about choosing an engagement ring. Plus, we will give you some tips and tricks for pulling off the best surprise proposal possible!

Determining What Your Partner Wants

Before you make any ring purchases, it is crucial to know what your partner wants.

If your goal is to surprise your partner, getting this info can be tough and may require some sneaky planning. For instance, to pull off a surprise proposal you may need to get her ring size months in advance so she does not become suspicious!

Here are 3 key factors to consider before purchasing a ring:

• Ring Size: Figuring out your partner’s ring size should be priority number one. While choosing the wrong size is not the end of the world, it certainly will deter the perfection of the proposal.
• Budget: You are naturally going to want to spend big on your future spouse, but keeping a budget in mind is key. This will help you to explore your options more precisely according to how much you are willing to spend.
• Aesthetic: Rings come in all different styles and designs. Familiarizing yourself with your partner’s aesthetic will help you to choose the best ring for her.

We recommend reaching out to friends and family to try and get this information first. However, details such as ring size might need to come directly from her.

Ultimately, you should find the opportunity to discuss both rings and proposals with your partner beforehand. Open and honest communication is a cornerstone to a healthy marriage! Even if you are planning a surprise, having a conversation about each of your desires is key.

Don’t be afraid to ask her what she wants if you’re unsure. It’s better to sacrifice some stealth to ensure she gets the ring of her dreams.

Consider Her Lifestyle

A major consideration to keep in mind when choosing a ring is your partner’s general lifestyle.

If she lives a more active life or outdoorsy lifestyle, a massive and elaborate ring may actually be a burden. Likewise, if she does not regularly wear jewelry, wearing a giant ring every day can be a huge adjustment.

You want to select a piece of jewelry that your future spouse will feel comfortable and confident wearing. Taking the time to observe her everyday behaviors and choosing a ring that fits her lifestyle will show your attentive and caring intentions.

If you do have a highly active partner, you may even consider buying a chain she can wear around her neck as well. This way, she can place the ring on the chain during times when wearing it on her finger is not ideal.

When choosing a chain to go with a ring, we recommend selecting one that matches in color and material.

Choosing the Perfect Design

We’ve covered the basics of what you need to consider before purchasing a ring. Now let’s get into the fun stuff – choosing a ring design.

There are 3 core elements that contribute to a ring design:

• Style: The shape and appearance of the ring.
• Material: The material the band of the ring is made from.
• Gemstone: The diamond or gem that is the crown jewel of the ring.

These days, there are thousands upon thousands of different ring designs out there. If you have already searched for a ring, you have likely realized how overwhelming this can be.

By determining the above 3 elements first, you can narrow your shopping journey down dramatically. Rather than swimming through an endless pool of every design available, you can search for the very specific details you want the ring to have.

At Davidson Jewels, we are experts in crafting custom jewelry designs. Our team will work with you to create a beautiful ring according to your budget and preferences.

Ring Styles

Let’s first cover the many different styles you have to choose from. Rings can vary in shape and structure depending on the style they are based around.

Though there are hundreds of different styles of rings, most can be grouped into two main categories – traditional and modern. Additionally, rings can be further divided according to whether they are symmetrical or asymmetrical.

Each of these styles comes with its own advantages, which we will cover in this section.

Keep in mind that you do not have to choose your style before your material and gemstone. If one element matters more than the others to you, you can start with that element first.

However, choosing a style first can help significantly narrow down your search!

Now, let’s take a look at each of these styles.

Traditional

Traditional style engagement rings are generally simpler in design. They will usually have one central gem or stone that is the main focal point of the ring.

Examples of traditional engagement rings can include:

• Classic Solitaire: The most classic design, featuring a singular diamond or gemstone.
• Four-Prong: Like the solitaire, the four-prong ring will typically have a single stone. With this ring, fewer prongs touch the stone allowing for it to stand out more.
• Halo: On this ring, there will be a large central stone surrounded by smaller stones. This creates the visual effect of a halo around the focal stone of the ring.

Modern

Modern rings will often have more detail and abstract elements than traditional rings. These rings tend to be more creative and unique in their design.

Examples of features on modern engagement rings include:

• Multi-Stone Trellis: Rather than the ring having a single main stone, a multi-stone trellis allows for multiple larger stones to be set.
• Side Stones: Many modern rings will feature diamonds or other small stones around the band of the ring as well. These are often called “side stones.”
• Teardrops: Traditional rings will have either a circular or square-shaped stone. Modern rings, comparatively, embrace other shapes. The teardrop shape is a popular stone shape seen on many modern rings and can feature one big stone or several smaller stones.

Symmetrical

Choosing a symmetrical ring is a good way to ensure your ring design is well-balanced and visually appealing.

Symmetrical engagement rings typically feature the following elements:

• Geometry: With modern rings especially, geometric shapes will be used to create visual symmetry on either side of the central stone.
• Balance: By reflecting the same design on either side of a central stone, symmetrical rings create an obvious sense of balance and unity.
• Repetition: Repeated stone patterns and matching stones will often be used to create symmetry on a ring.

Symmetry can be found in both modern and traditional rings, though traditional rings favor the style much more.

Asymmetrical

For a truly unique ring, asymmetry is the way to go. Asymmetrical rings combine many different design elements to achieve their one-of-a-kind aesthetic.

Asymmetrical engagement rings use the following features to create a sense of balance:

Clusters: Clusters of diamonds and stones are often used in place of a singular large stone.

Twists: The band of the ring can be twisted, swirled, and bent to create interesting shapes.

Layers: Asymmetrical rings will commonly use more than one material and layer the materials on top of one another to create visual interest.

In general, modern rings will embrace asymmetry more than traditional rings.

Ring Materials

While style refers to the design of your engagement ring, material refers to the actual metal or substance the ring is crafted from.

Many different materials are suitable for creating engagement rings. Precious metals, such as gold, are often considered traditional. However, more modern rings embrace a wider range of materials.

Here at Davidson Jewels, we work in 18 karat gold that comes in both yellow and white colors. Additionally, we offer 3 other varieties of gold:

• Rose Gold
• Grey Gold
• Cedar Rosewood Gold

Our rings can also be plated with platinum to give a pure white color. Platinum is great for engagement rings thanks to its rarity and durability.

As jewelry making becomes more advanced thanks to technological developments, 3D printing has made finding and crafting the perfect ring even more simple. Our team uses 3D printing technology to create resin models for clients to try on before committing to a precious metal.  

Ring Gemstones

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend…right? Well, maybe!

The truth of the matter is that engagement rings can be fitted with many different types of gemstones. Though diamonds are of course the traditional choice, adding a more colorful gem can really help a ring to stand out and reflect your partner’s personality.

The following four gems are popular choices for engagement rings:

• Diamond: The classic engagement stone. These clear gemstones are highly durable and reflect light beautifully. Their transparent appearance allows them to match any outfit, giving them a timeless aesthetic.
• Sapphire: With its recognizable blue hue, sapphire has risen in popularity as an engagement stone. Not only is sapphire used as a central stone, but it can also make for a great accent gem surrounding the main stone.
• Ruby: The deep red color of ruby has come to represent love and passion – a great sentiment to set within an engagement ring. Like sapphire, this gemstone is used both as the focal point and as an accent detail on rings.
• Pearl: Pearls are organic gems that can make very unique and lovely rings. A pearl is often considered to represent loyalty, a foundational pillar for any marriage. However, pearl is also weaker than other gems and can be easily scratched or damaged if not properly cared for.

Extra Tips and Tricks to Pull Off a Fantastic Surprise Proposal

Once you have your engagement ring selected, the only thing left to do is to pull off the surprise proposal!

Here are our 4 best tips for achieving your ideal surprise:

• Keep the Box in Mind: How will you present the ring? In a box? In a flower? The presentation of the ring can make all the difference in a proposal. Make sure to keep your attention to detail in this area as well!
• Choose a Meaningful Location: The best way to make a proposal memorable is to choose a meaningful location. The place of your first kiss, where you went on your first date, and other important landmarks may be the ideal location for your proposal.
• Hire a Hidden Photographer: In the heat of the moment, you are unlikely to take many pictures on your own. But how do you get professional pictures without ruining the surprise? Simple! Hire a photographer who works with long-range lenses who is willing to hide during the proposal. Trust us – these pictures will be invaluable in the years to come.
• Organize a Celebratory Dinner: She said yes! You’re engaged! Doesn’t a celebration following a successful proposal sound heartwarming? Having your closest friends and family on standby to celebrate after is a great way to make the proposal all the more meaningful.

Final Thoughts

When it comes down to it, what truly matters during a proposal is your commitment to and love for your partner.

Think of your engagement ring selection as a symbol of your love and commitment that your soon-to-be spouse will carry with them always. Remember to think carefully about what style, material, and gemstone best represents your partner and your relationship.

Our team at Davidson Jewels is here to ensure you find your perfect ring. We work diligently to give you a one-of-a-kind experience that is sure to help you achieve the proposal of both of your dreams!

Get in touch with us today to learn more about our custom rings and how we can help you. We look forward to working with you!