GIA Alumni Alberto Petochi’s Guide to Buying Engagement Ring
• Fix your budget first. Know how much you are willing to spend and start from there.
• Know your partner: what they like, the style of jewellery they often wear, and their lifestyle. This will make a big impact on the mounting and the stone of choice.
• Go only to a trusted jeweller. You may find a lot of options online, but only a trusted jeweller will explain to you the difference between various stones and show options that enable you to compare stones and mountings.
• Have the ring sized correctly.
colour, clarity, carat, and cut. The proportions are very important as they make a difference to the appearance of the stone.
• Make sure the ring comes with a GIA certification, especially when the stone is precious.
• Get insurance. Make sure to check with your insurance broker about deductibles and replacement value or similar stone, and keep the value up to date.