Who are the best jewelers in Boston for engagement rings?

How to Shop for an Engagement Ring in Boston…

While it may be true that the decision to spend the rest of your life with your partner feels like a no-brainer, for many it’s figuring out how to buy the ring that is the hardest piece of the engagement puzzle.  Where should I shop for an engagement ring? Should I go to a national chain or a local Boston jeweler? How do I buy a diamond?  What questions should I ask? All fair questions considering this is a once-in-a-lifetime purchase. If you are all about putting a ring on it, but just don’t know where to begin, we are here to help.  Consider this blog your CliffsNotes for buying the bling.

Find a Jeweler in Boston who specializes in engagement rings

Finding a jeweler you trust is a big part of the process.  You of course want to make sure the shop carries styles that fit your vision (and specific designers if you have any in mind) but it is also important that you read reviews and make sure you are entering into this purchase with a seller with a stellar reputation.  You want someone who can demonstrate that they are educated about stones and ideally have an insurance program they can offer.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions- they assume you haven’t done this before and can help hold your hand through this important process.

How Much to Spend

Ever since DeBeers launched their diamond marketing campaign 40 years ago with the tagline “How to Make Two-Months’ Salary Last Forever,” the 2 month salary has become the rule of thumb as the appropriate amount to spend.  It’s a good place to start, but obviously the final budget needs to be tailored to the buyer’s specific situation, either by spending more when possible for someone who places great importance on the bling, or less when spending 2-months’ salary is simply not reasonable. 

Choosing a Style & Cut

Vintage or Modern?  Understated or extravagant?  You can usually gather clues as to the kind of jewelry your partner will like from their style when it comes to clothing and personality. Use these descriptors when speaking to your jeweler and they will definitely be able to point you in the right direction.  To put size in perspective, the average engagement ring stone is 1 carat. If you know your partner is a “More is More” kind of person and wants more sparkle than your budget allows, you may want to consider Halo Styling where the center diamond is surrounded by a frame of other small diamonds and gives the ring a larger look.  Elongated cuts like an oval cut also create the illusion of a larger stone.  And don’t be shy to enlist a friend of your partner for help.  We hate to stereotype but if they are close friends and you are shopping for a female, chances are they’ve talked rings. 

Choosing a Diamond for your Boston Engagement

When it comes to choosing the actual stone, it is a very personal process.  Diamonds have (4) rating criteria known as the Four C’s- Color, Cut, Clarity & Carat.  You can work with your jeweler to find a stone that hits the right spot on the scale for each of these buckets depending on budget and priorities.  For a quick brush-up on your Four C’s prior to ring shopping, we love this guide from Brides.Com: https://www.brides.com/story/choosing-engagement-ring-four-cs You may also want to ask about the sourcing of your diamond. For example, Tiffany & Co. is committed to sourcing natural and precious materials in an ethical and sustainable manner with a zero-tolerance policy toward conflict diamonds, and source diamonds only from known sources and countries that are participants in the Kimberley process.

You may also forgo a classic white diamond for a stunning yellow diamond or maybe another gemstone altogether like emerald, ruby or sapphire.

Choosing a Metal

The choice in metals comes down to style, budget and durability.  Platinum rings have a natural white color that will never fade over time, along with a warmer glow or “patina” than white gold which has a higher shine.  It is a denser metal so it is known for having the greatest durability over time.  These characteristics also come with a higher price tag.  Equally popular but slightly less durable and certainly less expensive are yellow, white or rose gold bands.  Again- these color options are all about style.  Take a look at the jewelry tones your partner typically wears if you need a hint (i.e. someone who wears all silver most likely would not want a yellow gold band). There are also less traditional materials such as palladium, tungsten and titanium and silver, these can be more popular for those with very active lifestyles (tungsten is 4 times harder than titanium and more scratch-resistant for example).

Other considerations

Whilst the proposal can still be a surprise, it’s also completely normal for couples to talk about marriage before such an event, this may include a conversation about ring styles and you may even want to visit a jewelers together to make sure you get the perfect ring! We’ve also worked with couples who’ve chosen to forgo engagement rings for heirloom timepieces from Omega or Patek Phillipe for example.

Now what? How do I plan my Boston proposal?

So you’ve bought the ring but need some help with the presentation?  We’ve got your back! Reach out to Boston Proposal Concierge for a consultation on creating a custom proposal experience that is completely unique and will be an utterly memorable start to this new chapter of your lives!

xoxo