The chilled, crisp air and changing leaves set a romantic stage for a wedding proposal. While Mother Nature may be doing her part to create the ambiance for popping the question, your responsibility is to find an engagement ring that considers your significant other’s individuality. Fortunately, you can choose a lab diamond engagement ring from a jewelry store in Rochester, Plymouth, or South Bend, IN. Understanding what to look for can ensure you pick one that’ll be sure to wow your partner. 

Decide on a Budget First

It's incredibly easy to be dazzled by all the sparkle. And it's common to want the very best for your loved one, considering this is a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. You probably want the ring to match your significant other's personality but also show how much you care.

That said, engagement rings can be pricey, so it's wise to set a price you can afford before you make a purchase. Make sure you consider how much money you have in savings, what you anticipate the wedding costing, and how much of your savings needs to remain in case of an emergency.

There's no set amount you have to spend, but experts tend to recommend you spend one-half to one month of your take-home pay if you want to remain on the conservative side. However, if you don't have any debt and have sizeable savings, you can be a little more aggressive and spend two to three months of your monthly take-home pay.

What's nice about a lab-grown diamond engagement ring compared to a ring with a mined diamond is the price. Often, lab diamonds are up to 85 percent less expensive than a mined diamond of the same cut, carat, and clarity. Plus, you can still get the same amount of dazzle. 

Cut Is a Major Deciding Factor

Make choosing the cut a top priority as you select a diamond. The cut of a diamond, whether it’s lab-grown or mined, affects its brilliance. The light reflects optimally in a traditional round brilliant because of its facet arrangement. An oval cut has a similar facet pattern to a round cut, but it can elongate your significant other’s finger, and the diamond often looks larger. Cushion, pear, marquise, and princess cuts are also known for their sparkle.

The cut can also affect how large the diamond appears. Even if a lab-grown diamond has the same color, clarity, and weight as another, it can appear completely different from the other one if the cut is different. 

Color and Clarity Need Special Consideration

The color and clarity of the diamond affect how clear the diamond looks. You don't have to choose the diamond with the highest color grade or the one with the fewest flaws to get one that sparkles. The idea is to select one that looks beautiful and radiant to the naked eye. 

Consider Your Partner's Usual Taste

You can tell a lot about your partner's typical jewelry style by what they usually wear. While they may have a range of styles, they might not have chosen all of them. Some pieces could’ve been bought for them, or they purchased certain ones because they were trendy at the time. Those looks don't necessarily reflect what they prefer.

Therefore, if you haven't already done so, check out what your significant other typically wears. Is it dainty, bold, or minimalistic? Does your loved one prefer vintage or modern?

Asking yourself these questions can guide you in the right direction. This can also help you determine the metal for the setting.

Lab-created diamonds increase your ability to find a gem that offers the carat size and cut you want while staying within your budget. So if you're looking for a diamond engagement ring this October for your significant other, compare your options for this type of gem by considering your loved one's preferences, the cut, clarity, and color. Keeping all this in mind will help you find a lab-grown diamond that'll impress and express how much your partner means to you.

— Brian Van Duyne