Engagement Ring Myths Debunked

Myth #1: The three months’ salary rule

You’ve probably heard of the old adage that an engagement ring should cost the equivalent of three months’ salary. But how much should you spend on an engagement ring? The answer is more variable than you might think. A poll of 1,640 adults confirmed that the “three months rule” may be going out of style.

While the numbers vary, it’s estimated that the average spend for an engagement ring is between $5,000 and $7,000. The most important thing to remember when deciding how much to spend on an engagement ring is that this decision is entirely personal: Take into account your budget, the type of ring and stone your loved one wants, and the emotional significance of the purchase.

Myth #2: The bigger, the better

Maybe you’ve been dreaming of the giant rocks you see on the hands of celebrities, or maybe you’ve just bought into the idea that a bigger diamond is always better. Either way, this myth is simply untrue. A bigger diamond doesn’t necessarily mean it will look prettier on her hand, nor does it mean that the diamond will have all of the sparkle you’re looking for. You may find that, when looking at diamonds, a smaller one is much more brilliant than a duller, larger stone. The appearance of your diamond is much more dependent on cut, color and clarity than on carat weight, so you can stop worrying that you’re not going big enough.

Myth #3: Engagement ring shopping is a solo act

Engagement ring shopping can be complicated and even stressful, especially if you’re unsure of what your partner wants. So why make it harder on yourself? There shouldn’t be any stigma behind shopping with your significant other; instead, think about the benefits. To start, she’s the one who’s going to be wearing the ring. As well as you may know your future fiancée, we can pretty much guarantee that they know themselves better.

Remember: This and your wedding bands are probably the one purchase you’ll make that will truly last forever. For those of you worried about ruining the surprise, keep in mind that this is something she’s been thinking about for a long time — we can all but promise she’ll be glad you included her in the decision. You can also choose to window shop and save the final unveiling of the ring for the real proposal. Either way, you’ll feel much more confident knowing that she already loves her ring.

Myth #4: Yellow gold is outdated

Yellow gold is sometimes perceived as old-fashioned, but this classic metal is making a big comeback. With vintage engagement rings becoming more and more popular, yellow gold is no longer just appearing on your grandma’s ring. In fact, Meghan Markle and Emily Ratajkowski both recently sported yellow gold engagement rings that were the hit of the fashion world. Luckily, Shane Co. carries a huge variety of stunning yellow gold engagement ring settings as well as unique rose gold engagement rings that you can easily personalize with the center stone of your choice.

Myth #5: Engagement ring = diamonds

One of the biggest myths you may believe about engagement rings is that they must have a diamond as the center stone. This one makes sense — after all, diamonds are forever, right? While it’s true that diamond engagement rings are the most traditional route (74 percent of all engagement rings in 2018 highlighted a diamond), that doesn’t mean it’s your only option. Actually, it seems like alternative engagement rings are becoming more popular than ever, with celebrities like Halle Berry and Jessica Simpson jumping in on the trend with their gorgeous emerald and ruby rings. Shane Co. carries popular ruby engagement rings, pink sapphire engagement rings and more to complement your tastes.

Myth #6: Custom designing is expensive and difficult

An engagement ring is much more than just a piece of jewelry, it’s a symbol of commitment between two people who love each other. And if your love is unique, why shouldn’t your ring be, too? That’s the thought process of many hopeful couples beginning their search for a custom engagement ring. However, you may have been dissuaded from customizing your ring on the premise that it will cost more and take much longer to make than the thousands of mass-produced designs currently available on the market. This is simply not true.

At Shane Co., we make it easy to customize your engagement ring with the stone and setting of your choice. We carry over 1,000 exclusive Engagement Ring designs, the majority of which require you to pick out a center stone in a shape, color and cut that fits your personal style. We even have engravable designs to better personalize your piece, as well as customizable setting options that are sure to make your ring one of a kind.

Myth #7: Engagement rings are for women only

It’s 2019, and the traditional idea of an engagement is ever-changing. According to a survey done a few years ago by the media group responsible for The Knot, XO Group Inc., 5 percent of men were wearing engagement rings, and the trend has only grown since then. With marriages becoming more egalitarian and the idea of gender equality in all areas making its way into the mainstream, there’s no reason why engagement rings shouldn’t follow. Men’s engagement rings can come in a variety of styles. In any case, it’s certainly something to keep in mind as you prepare to begin your journey as an engaged couple.

Myth #8: A diamond can never break

Because diamonds have the highest rating of 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, many people incorrectly assume their diamond can’t chip, crack and suffer other surface damage. Unfortunately, it’s still possible for your diamond to break if it is struck with sufficient force and in just the right way, which is why we always stress the importance of picking out a setting that works with your lifestyle. Remember to remove your ring when engaging in sports or other activities that can potentially cause harm to your stone, and make sure to inspect it for any new damage on a regular basis.

On the bright side, Shane Co. offers a Free Lifetime Warranty with all of their engagement rings, including the center stone. So even if your diamond takes a tumble, we’re here to make sure your ring remains as beautiful as the day he proposed.

Myth #9: You must know her ring size first

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to know your loved one’s ring size before you pick out the ring. Most jewelers will be able to resize your ring after the proposal if it’s within about two sizes of her actual size. As long as you have an idea of what fits, you shouldn’t have a problem picking out the ring beforehand. At Shane Co., resizing is even included in your purchase, so you don’t have to worry about any extra fees. If you’re committed to keeping your proposal a surprise, inquiring about her ring size is a dead giveaway. Keep your cool and resize at a later date.

Myth #10: Diamond fluorescence is bad

You may have heard the phrase “diamond fluorescence” being thrown around and believed the rumors that it connotes a less valuable diamond. This is a myth. But let’s get to back to basics: What is diamond fluorescence, and how does it affect the value of your stone? Diamond fluorescence is the glow you may see when the diamond is viewed under ultraviolet light. Some diamonds emit a bluish or (rarely) yellowish light when exposed to UV rays. However, there is no grading factor for fluorescence, despite it being relatively common in gems. About 25 to 35 percent of diamonds exhibit fluorescence — it’s not unusual and it certainly doesn’t lower the grade of your diamond. In fact, some experts believe that blue fluorescence can even enhance a diamond’s appearance, making a yellowish diamond appear more colorless in UV light.

In the end, it’s really more of a personal preference than anything else. If you don’t like the look of a more fluorescent diamond, don’t take it home, and always make sure to carefully inspect the stone you’re considering before buying.

Myth #11: You get a better deal when you don’t buy retail

It may be tempting to think that purchasing a ring through an online auction or wholesaler will save you money, but there’s no hard-and-fast rule when it comes to engagement ring prices. You also have to take into consideration that this is potentially a purchase you will only make once in your lifetime — so figure out what aspects of the ring matter the most to you and make sure you are not just getting a good price, but a good value. Buying from a retailer also offers additional advantages, like working with an experienced jeweler to help you select the right stone and setting, as well as free repairs and other benefits that would otherwise end up costing you more money in the long run.

Shane Co. is dedicated to offering you the highest-quality jewelry, whatever your budget, as well as cleaning, inspection, maintenance, resizing, upgrade and trade-in policies, and more.

Myth #12: Your jeweler is trying to upsell you

Another myth people hold about retail jewelry stores is that your jeweler is always trying to get you to spend beyond your budget. At Shane Co., this is absolutely untrue. Our staff is dedicated to delivering an enjoyable and personalized experience for every customer. Because our staff doesn’t work on commission, you’ll never feel pressured into spending more than you can afford. We also use store lighting that replicates natural daylight so you can see the true color and sparkle of whatever you’re buying, without feeling disappointed in your purchase once you exit the store.

Our goal is to educate you, show you as many options as you want to see, and help you make the best decision. We make the process of buying an engagement ring something to celebrate by removing the stress from the equation. We’ll answer any questions you have and work together with you so you can leave confident in your buying decision and ready for your proposal.