Find the bling that’s worthy of a “Yes” before the “YES!”
Buying an engagement ring online has never been easier with our how-to guide and a brilliant selection of unique rings from Etsy jewelry designers to dazzle your beloved.
Shopping for an engagement ring on Etsy is simple, personalized, and secure. As a trusted source for buying fine jewelry, our wealth of helpful tools will help you find a special ring for the one you love. When you choose an engagement ring on Etsy, you’re purchasing directly from an independent jeweler whose personal style and love for creativity is infused into every piece they make. And all those meaningful feels come standard with every purchase, no matter your budget!
There’s a world of benefits with buying engagement rings online. You have access to tons of non-traditional engagement ring styles you won't find anywhere else, quality craftsmanship from talented, highly-skilled artisans on Etsy, and an opportunity to co-design a one-of-a-kind sparkler that speaks to your spouse-to-be. Read on for all our top tips for searching, selecting, and evaluating an engagement ring online.
Shop engagement rings
In this guide to buying an engagement ring:
- The basics of engagement rings
- A guide to engagement ring sizing
- How much to spend on an engagement ring
- How to choose an engagement ring style
- Tips for buying an engagement ring online
Learn the basics of engagement rings
When it comes to buying an engagement ring online, it’s important to have a general understanding of what makes a ring proposal-worthy. Before you make such an exciting purchase, here are a few key things to know about engagement ring terminology to help you select the best ring for your beloved.
The four Cs
The quality of fine diamond engagement rings and gemstone jewelry is largely defined by the four Cs—cut, carat, color, and clarity. When browsing for engagement rings on Etsy, sellers will often use the four Cs as part of their ring’s description. Here’s what all those terms actually mean.
Cut
While a gemstone’s cut can refer to its shape (like oval, square, or pear), it also refers to how well the stone interacts with light. An engagement ring’s stone is meant to sparkle and shine, which is achieved by each gem’s facets, angles, and proportions. For instance, a round cut gemstone has the highest number of facets, making it the cut that sparkles the most.
Carat
A gemstone’s weight is measured in carats. Generally, higher carats mean larger overall sizes. When it comes to carats to maximize sparkle and budget, cluster and halo engagement rings create a sparkling effect with many smaller diamonds for a more budget-friendly option.
Color
If you choose a diamond as your engagement ring stone, color comes into play. Diamonds come in a range of beautiful hues like pink, brown, and even black, but this C is all about evaluating clear, colorless diamonds. These quintessential sparklers are graded by color—from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow).
Clarity
A gemstone’s clarity is measured by the absence of blemishes and inclusions that are visible under 10 times magnification. Like color, clarity is also graded on a scale—from FL (flawless) to I1, I2, and I3 (included). It’s common to find rings rated VVS1 or VVS2 (very very slightly included) or VS1 and VS2 (very slightly included), indicating small blemishes that are difficult to see with the naked eye.
Some stones like salt and pepper engagement rings and moss agate jewelry are actually more beautiful because of their inclusions—something to consider when you’re looking for unique yet affordable options.
Engagement ring sizing
Size matters when it comes to buying engagement rings—not just the size of the stone, but the band, too. Ring bands are usually measured in millimeters based on the ring’s inner circumference, and these measurements translate to a set of standard ring sizes. Measure one of your well-fitting rings (or your sweetheart’s) using this ring sizing guide.
How much to spend on an engagement ring
Traditional advice says an engagement ring will cost the equivalent of three month’s salary. Many modern couples part with tradition and spend more or less on an engagement ring, focusing instead on self-expression and finding a ring that speaks to them and embodies their love story.
As you consider how much to spend on an engagement ring, these tips can help you maximize your budget:
- Look for styles such as halo or cluster settings with multiple tiny diamonds to maximize sparkle.
- Instead of platinum which is typically more expensive, opt for white gold or sterling silver engagement rings which give a similar look.
- Embrace alternative gemstones such as moissanite and colored, semi-precious gemstones like opal, topaz, and amethyst.
When shopping on Etsy for an engagement ring, our price filter helps narrow down your options, too. You can also add additional filters to find rings from Star Sellers (Etsy shops with a history of delivering great customer service) and rings with an “Etsy’s Pick” badge which indicates styles that have been handpicked by Etsy.
How do you choose an engagement ring style?
On the hunt for some engagement ring inspiration to kickstart your search? These picks for the best engagement rings are a great place to start. As you shop, keep these tips for buying an engagement ring online in mind.
Select a setting
After the stone shape (round, princess, marquise, pear, and more!), the most noticeable design decision you’ll make when choosing an engagement ring is the setting, which refers to how gemstones are set into the ring’s band. Here are three of the most popular types of settings:
- Halo: For maximum sparkle, halo engagement rings feature a prominent center stone surrounded by tiny diamonds (which can be an affordable way to up the bling without overspending on a ring).
- Solitaire: A classic favorite, solitaire engagement rings are designed to showcase a single diamond or gemstone with no side stones.
- Three-stone: Thought to symbolize love, friendship, and fidelity, three-stone engagement rings include a large center stone with smaller stones on each side. Three-stone rings designed with all diamonds are a popular choice as are diamonds flanked by the couple’s birthstones or other favorite gems.
Choose a band style
From vintage engagement rings with an ornate, filigree band style to minimalist bands for an elegantly modern look, an engagement ring band provides some serious style real estate to work with.
Gold—either yellow, white, or rose—is a traditional choice for engagement rings. Platinum is a more rare metal and therefore a bit pricier than other silver-hued metals like white gold and sterling silver. Understanding common jewelry markings can help you make an educated decision about your engagement ring’s material based on durability, price, and care.
Add customization
Customized detailing can add an intimate, one-of-a-kind detail to your engagement ring. Engagement ring shops on Etsy can work with you to customize a ring with the precious metal, setting, and gemstones of your choice. This ability to work directly with the designer creating your ring results in a meaningful design you had a hand in!
Beyond the style of ring you design, small shops on Etsy can also engrave the inside or outside of the engagement ring band, create a complementary wedding ring, or embed a tiny gemstone inside the band as a secret only the two of you know about.
How do you buy an engagement ring online?
Buying an engagement ring online is not only a great idea, it’s a fabulous way to discover countless ring designs you might not otherwise encounter. Etsy is a trusted source for beautiful, heirloom-worthy engagement rings created by real people with real passion for their work. We’re committed to making it easy for you to find the perfect engagement ring online and have a positive, safe, and secure experience purchasing directly from sellers.
Shop from Star Sellers
As you search for an engagement ring, take note of the different badges you see on items like “Star Seller.” This badge is awarded to sellers who consistently deliver 5-star reviews, on-time shipping, and quick replies.
Review the listing’s photos and videos
Sellers share multiple images of their engagement rings from many different angles. Many sellers also share listing videos showing how an engagement ring sparkles in the light. Reviews on the item are another great source of photography from IRL brides!
Check the shipping and return policies
Shipping and return details are essential to a positive experience buying an engagement ring online. Once you’ve found a stunning sparkler that makes your heart sing, double-check the seller’s shipping and return policies to find out how and when your special purchase will arrive on your doorstep. Shops list their own return policies, and Etsy Purchase Protection provides a full refund in the event something goes wrong.
Ready to begin shopping for an engagement ring online? Measure your ring size, brush up on your jewelry terms, and dive into the selection of engagement rings from Star Sellers.
