Look, we get it. The traditional engagement ring narrative goes something like this: nervous proposer secretly shops for months, agonises over every detail, hopes desperately they got it right, then presents the ring in a grand surprise moment. Cue tears, applause, Instagram post.
But here's the thing, more and more couples are ditching the solo shopping mission and heading to the engagement ring stores together. And honestly? We're totally here for it. Because when it comes to something you're going to wear literally every single day for the rest of your life, shouldn't you, you know, actually have a say in what it looks like?
Let's talk about why shopping for engagement rings together is actually kind of genius. Looking for a way to do it without losing the romance (or your minds)? Here at Gear Jewellers, we've got you covered!
The case for engagement ring shopping together
You'll Actually Love Your Engagement Ring
This one's pretty obvious, right? When you shop together, there's zero guessing involved. No crossing fingers that your partner remembered you mentioned you hate princess cuts that one time three years ago. You get to try on different styles, see what actually looks good on your hand (spoiler: it might not be what you thought), and walk away knowing you're getting something you'll love forever.
Budget Transparency = Less Stress
Money talk isn't the sexiest part of wedding planning, but it's kind of important. Shopping together means you're both on the same page about what you're spending, what trade-offs you're making (hello, lab grown diamonds for more carat weight!), and what your priorities are. No buyer's remorse, no awkward convos later. Just honest collaboration on something that matters to both of you.
It's Actually Really Fun
Okay, hear us out. Yes, traditional proposals are romantic. But you know what's also romantic? Spending time together doing something exciting that's all about your future. Trying on engagement rings, debating oval versus round (the eternal question), it's like the world's sparkliest date. Plus, you'll have inside jokes about that one hideous ring you both hated. Bonding!
You Can Get Exactly What You Want
Want a bezel setting with a cushion diamond and white gold band? Cool. Dreaming of a three-stone ring with your birthstone as a side stone? Love it. When you shop together, you can customise to your heart's content without worrying whether your partner will "get" your vision.
Finding the perfect diamond engagement rings is always an exciting journey but don't forget to ask questions, learn as much as possible about each ring, and enjoy the process!
How to actually do this
Start With Some Research
Before you hit the jewellery stores, spend some time looking at engagement rings online. Save styles you love, figure out what speaks to you. This prevents you from getting overwhelmed when you're staring at 47 different solitaires that all look vaguely the same.
Get On The Same Page About Budget
Have the money talk early. Like, really early. What's realistic for you both? What are you comfortable spending? Would you rather have a smaller diamond with a super intricate setting, or a larger stone in something simple? There's no wrong answer here.
Try Everything On
Even if you think you know exactly what you want, try on different styles. That engagement ring you were meh about in photos might look stunning on your hand. That setting you were convinced was "the one" might feel bulky or snag on everything. You won't know until you try.
Pro tip: Try on different diamond sizes too! Sometimes a 1-carat diamond on a thin band gives you the exact look you want for way less money than a 2-carat stone. Or maybe you're team go-big-or-go-home. Either way, seeing is believing.
Find A Quality Jeweller
Couples need to find a reputable retailer with quality materials. Look for stores that specialise in classic solitaires and lab-grown diamond engagement rings.
You could research reviews online or even ask friends who may have purchased engagement rings from the same store before.
How to keep the romance alive
“But wait," you might be thinking, "doesn't shopping together kill the surprise?"
Well, yes and no. Here's how to maintain some magic:
The Proposal Can Still Be a Surprise
Just because you picked out the engagement ring together doesn't mean you know when or where the question is coming. Your partner can still plan an epic proposal (or a low-key intimate one, both are equally valid!) and that moment will be just as special. Maybe even more so, because you'll be wearing something you absolutely love.
Keep Some Details Secret
Shop together for the main elements - stone shape, setting style, metal - but let your partner make the final decisions on certain details. Maybe they choose the exact diamond from your shortlist, or pick out a special engraving. Small surprises can go a long way.
Focus on the "Us" Factor
The whole process becomes less about "I'm proposing to you" and more about "we're building this future together." And honestly? That's pretty romantic in its own right. You're making decisions as a team from day one.
Budget, Certificates, and Insurance (AKA The grown-up stuff)
Set a Budget
Sit down with your partner and have an honest conversation about what you're comfortable spending on an engagement ring. Not what some random "rule" says you should spend (looking at you, "three months' salary" nonsense). Not what your friend spent. Not what looks impressive on Instagram. What works for YOUR life and YOUR priorities.
Once you know your number, your jeweller can help you maximise it. Want to know how to get the best bang for your buck? They've got strategies. Need to make trade-offs between size and quality? They can guide you to your perfect engagement ring.
Financing Options
Payment plans are a legitimate way to get the ring you want without emptying your entire savings account in one go.
Honestly, not everyone has thousands of dollars just hanging out in their account, and that's totally okay. Engagement rings are expensive! The good news is that many quality jewellers offer payment plans or deposit schemes that let you spread the cost over time.
Want to dive deeper into financing options?Check out our other helpful article, The Best Ways To Finance Engagement Rings for 2023
Get A Certificate
Think of a diamond certificate as your engagement ring's birth certificate and report card all rolled into one official document.
A good certificate (from a reputable lab like GIA or IGI) tells you everything you need to know about your diamond: the colour grade, the cut quality, the carat weight, the clarity rating, and a unique serial number that's like your diamond's fingerprint. No two diamonds have the same number, which means if anything ever happens to your ring, you can prove exactly which diamond is yours.
Insurance: Because Life Happens
Here's the thing: engagement rings are tiny, valuable, and worn every single day. Rings get lost, stolen, or damaged more often than you'd think (or want to believe). Getting insurance isn't being pessimistic—it's being smart. And the good news is that it's actually pretty straightforward.
The easiest route? Add it to your homeowners or renters insurance.
What will you need?
- The certificate
- A recent appraisal of your engagement ring (your jeweller can provide this)
- Photos of the engagement ring (multiple angles, with good lighting - Including one in front of your face),
- The receipt or proof of purchase.
These practical steps are what protect your investment and ensure you can actually enjoy your gorgeous engagement ring for decades to come.
Diamond Quality - What you need to know
Before you fall in love with the first sparkly thing you see (we've all been there), let's talk about what actually makes a diamond, well, good. Because not all diamonds are created equal, and knowing what to look for can save you money, heartache, and that sinking feeling when you realize you definitely could've done better.
Familiarise Yourself With The 4 Cs
You've probably heard about them before - cut, clarity, carat weight, and colour. They're basically the diamond world's way of grading stones, and yeah, they all matter. But here's the thing: they don't all matter equally for every ring.
- Cut is the big deal. A well-cut diamond sparkles like mad, even if it's not perfect in other areas. A poorly cut diamond? It just sits there looking sad, even if it's technically flawless. Cut is what makes a diamond look alive, so don't skimp here.
- Clarity is about those tiny imperfections (called inclusions) inside the diamond. Plot twist: most of them are totally invisible to the naked eye. You don't need a flawless diamond—you need one that looks clean when you're, you know, actually wearing it. We call these "eye-clean" diamonds, and they're your sweet spot for value.
- Carat Weight is just size. Bigger isn't always better (seriously!), and a slightly smaller, beautifully cut diamond will outshine a larger, poorly cut one every single time. Plus, there are magic size points (like 0.9 carats vs. 1.0) where you can save significant money for a barely noticeable difference in size. Sneaky? Maybe. Smart? Absolutely.
- Colour refers to how white (or yellow-ish) a diamond is. The less colour, the higher the grade. But here's a secret: most people can't tell the difference between a D and an E colour once it's set in a ring.
What if you still want some surprise?
- Shop together for the style, but let one person pick the final details: You decide on a round solitaire in platinum, but your partner selects the specific diamond and any surprise design elements.
- Pick out a temporary engagement ring together: Get something simple and affordable to use for the proposal, then design your dream ring together afterward. You get the surprise proposal and the perfect engagement ring.
- Set parameters, then let them surprise you: You say "oval diamond, yellow gold, not too high profile" and let your partner take it from there. You know the general vibe, but not the specifics.
- Go engagement ring shopping "just for fun": Early in your relationship, maybe even before engagement talk is serious, browse rings together. Mental notes are taken, and months later, your partner "happens" to choose something remarkably similar to what you loved. Sneaky!
For a VIP engagement ring shopping experience in our Flagship Dublin store, don’t forget to book an appointment to leave enough time to browse all of our rings!
Engagement ring shopping - the bottom line
Deciding on the best diamond engagement rings in Dublin could seem like an overwhelming experience going it alone, but crucially, shopping together ensures is happy with the final selection
Here's the truth: there's no wrong way to shop for an engagement ring, as long as it works for you and your partner. If you want to be surprised, brilliant. If you want to shop together, also brilliant. If you want to design something completely custom from scratch, that's fantastic too.
The only thing that matters is that you end up with a ring you love, from a person you love, symbolising a commitment you're both excited about. Everything else is just details.
So if you're considering engagement ring shopping together, our advice? Go for it. Wear comfortable shoes, bring snacks, keep an open mind, and enjoy the process. This is one of those rare life moments that's equal parts practical adulting and pure joy. Might as well make the most of it.
And if you need help navigating the whole thing? Drop us a line at diamonds@gearjewellers.ie We're really good at this whole "making ring shopping fun and stress-free" thing. Promise.
Start With Some Research
Get On The Same Page About Budget
Find A Quality Jeweller
Try Everything On
Familiarise Yourself With The 4 Cs
Enjoy Yourself
