Engagement Ring - Size

pablakeman

Hi all,

I am going to propose to my girlfriend in at the end of July, and need advice on two things!

1 - ring size - I have no way of knowing her ring size. She lives in Ukraine, and her friend tried to find out but couldn't. I can contact her mother, but her mother speaks no English, and I want to send a proper letter to her father beforehand anyway

2 - any general tips on buying an engagement ring would be appreciated! I will get a plain(ish) gold band, or an eternity ring

thanks in advance!

meer53

Propose but buy the ring when she's with you. an eternity ring is for when you've been together a while, usually bought to celebrate an anniversary or the birth of a baby, not an engagement !

Hutchch0920

Apparently the UK average is M which could offer a good starting point. You could also buy from a jeweler that offers free re-sizing.

If you are buying an engagement ring with a diamond research colour, clarity, cut and carat and the different metals available. 18K gold is more expensive than 9K, but also softer. White gold will discolour over time as the white plating rubs away. You may also wish to look at platinum and palladium.

tealady

Hi
Might be worth looking online as some sites offer a 30 day money back guarantee.
At the risk of sounding a doom merchant can you propose 1st and then give your fiancee a budget so she can choose her own ring. Have it delivered to you so you can have a romantic "ring put on finger moment".

unholyangel

What about asking the friend or a younger family member (who is probably more likely to speak a bit of english) to ask the mother for you?

If you'll see each other before proposing and she wears other rings, get those sized if you're able to without her noticing.

As for the engagement ring, its your wedding band that tends to be a plain band. Engagement rings are typically a lot more expensive and a lot fancier. An eternity ring is something different yet again. That being said, if she prefers a certain style, theres nothing to stop you giving her a wedding band or eternity ring as her engagement ring.

Malthusian

1) Unless she has freakishly skeletal or chubby fingers, the size it comes in will do the job for the proposal. After she's accepted you can take her down to the jeweller's and they will re-size it.

2) Go into a jeweller's and tell them what you're after. They should be only too happy to help. If you're unconvinced by the sales pitch, go into another. Their job is to make you walk out of there in the blissful certainty that you've bought the right one.

I think it takes part of the occasion away if you ask her to choose her own ring, unless your girlfriend is very particular about what she likes. (If she is then fair enough.) For most people the fact that it's your engagement ring is more important than whether it's the exact colour or cut they like. And if you make a really awful choice you can always swallow the cost of selling/returning it and buying another. But this is very much a case of each to their own.

maman

I really would recommend you go together to choose a ring. You're hoping she's going to wear it for the rest of her life and (please don't take offence;)) you do seem a bit clueless about what to buy. As others have said a plain gold band or an eternity ring really aren't suitable.


I'd suggest you have a fun ring like something from a cracker or Haribo or a piece of twisted grass for your actual proposal. She'll probably keep that forever too but won't be wearing it every day.


Hope it all goes well.:)

gettingtheresometime

Hubby has always said he would never buy any jewellery for me unless I was there to confirm that was what I really wanted .


OP buy one of those girl's toy dressing up rings - she'll love it as much as the proper one!

[Deleted User]

Another one who suggests waiting to buy a ring- particularly if you are going to buy a ring with a stone.

They can only be resized easily by one, or two sizes and then sometimes not successfully.

selement

I recommend using a cheap 'placeholder' ring (so any cheap ring) for the proposal then go jewellery shopping together for the real ring
I got to pick out my engagement ring and I was pleased I got to do that. We went to Birmingham jewellery quarter and made a day of it

tripled

Following a jazz cruise (Groupon) and celebrity chef meal with a glass of Prosecco (half price plus Topcashback) I proposed to my wife on the banks of the Thames, with a necklace that had a small (i.e. relatively inexpensive) diamond in a heart.

She then had her "proper" ring for Valentines the following year (with an admonition not to expect jewelry every Valentines!). The delay gave me the opportunity to make sure I had the right size, and to get ideas from her on the sort of rings she likes, allowing me to make a more informed decision as to what to buy for her.

For the wedding we paid on Amex and got 5% cashback... :money: