Top 5 Tips for Buying an Engagement Ring: Expert Advice from Buchroeders Jewelers
Buying an engagement ring is one of the most meaningful purchases you’ll ever make — and it should feel exciting, not overwhelming. From diamond choices to custom designs, every detail matters. At Buchroeders Jewelers, our team of engagement ring experts has helped thousands of couples find or create the perfect ring. Here are our top five tips to help you buy with confidence.
1. Choose a Jeweler You Can Trust
Selecting the right jeweler is the foundation of your engagement ring journey. You want a jeweler who values transparency, craftsmanship, and your vision above all else.
At Buchroeders Jewelers, we take pride in being one of the Midwest’s most trusted names in fine jewelry. With over a century of experience, we combine traditional craftsmanship with modern expertise. Our diamond specialists are GIA-trained and passionate about helping you understand every aspect of your purchase — from the 4Cs to the finer details of design.
Whether you’re shopping in person or designing your ring virtually, our reputation, integrity, and unmatched selection make Buchroeders the best choice for engagement rings in Columbia, MO and beyond.
2. Start Early — Especially if You Want a Custom Design
Designing or selecting your engagement ring is an exciting process — but it’s one that benefits from time and careful planning. Starting early ensures you’ll have every option available to you, from custom design work to perfect sizing before your proposal date.
At Buchroeders Jewelers, we specialize in creating both custom engagement rings and Proposal Ready Rings, so whether you want something fully bespoke or nearly finished, you’ll have plenty of flexibility.
The Custom Design Process
If you’re envisioning a one-of-a-kind engagement ring, the custom design process typically takes 4–6 weeks from start to finish — and for good reason. Every ring is designed by you and tailored to your exact preferences.
Here’s what you can expect when you design a custom engagement ring with Buchroeders:
We Listen First:
Your story and style comes first. During your initial consultation, our experts take time to understand what you’re envisioning — from diamond shapes and setting styles to metal color and overall design direction. Whether you have specific ideas or are just starting to explore, we’ll help translate your inspiration into a clear vision.
Selection & Design:
Next, we guide you through choosing the perfect diamond or gemstone and setting style. You’ll see digital renderings of your design so you can visualize every angle before production begins. Our design experts refine every detail — from band thickness to hidden halos — to make sure it reflects your personality and budget.
Ring Creation:
Once your design is approved, our master jeweler hand crafts your engagement ring with precision and care. Each piece is meticulously inspected to meet Buchroeders high standards for quality, craftsmanship, and beauty.
Because each custom ring is built from scratch, allowing time for design revisions, casting, and setting ensures your finished ring is absolutely perfect.
Ring Sizing Takes Time Too
Even if you choose a Proposal Ready Ring, it’s important to factor in sizing adjustments. A perfect fit not only feels comfortable but also keeps your diamond secure and prevents unnecessary wear on the setting over time. Minor resizing can usually be completed within a few days.
If you’re planning a surprise proposal, our team can help you determine the best way to estimate your partner’s ring size — and if it’s slightly off, we’ll handle resizing quickly after the proposal at no additional charge.
Why Starting Early Matters
Starting your engagement ring search early gives you the time to explore every possibility, make thoughtful decisions, and enjoy the creative process rather than rushing through it. Whether you’re custom designing a piece from scratch or fine-tuning a Proposal Ready Ring, Buchroeders Jewelers ensures your ring is ready in time for your perfect moment.
3. Understand Your Diamond Choices
The diamond is the heart of your engagement ring — and understanding your options will help you make a confident, informed decision. From shape to color, clarity, and even diamond origin, every factor influences how your ring looks, sparkles, and fits your budget.
Diamond Shapes: Finding the Perfect Look
Diamond shape is often the first thing people notice, and it plays a major role in defining your ring’s style. Here are some of the most popular options we help our clients explore at Buchroeders Jewelers:
Round Brilliant: The most classic and timeless shape, known for its incredible brilliance and fire. Perfect for traditional styles or those who love maximum sparkle.
Oval: Elegant and elongating, oval diamonds create a flattering look on the hand while offering a modern, refined twist on the classic round.
Cushion Cut: Soft corners and a romantic, pillow-like shape give cushion cuts a vintage feel with lots of sparkle.
Emerald Cut: A rectangular step-cut diamond that emphasizes clarity and sophistication. Emerald cuts exude quiet luxury and look stunning in minimalist settings.
Radiant Cut: Combines the brilliance of a round with the shape of an emerald — ideal for someone who wants a modern yet dazzling diamond.
Princess Cut: Square and sharp, princess cuts are brilliant and contemporary, often chosen for their symmetry and sparkle.
Pear Shape: A teardrop-shaped diamond that blends round and marquise styles, offering a distinctive, eye-catching look.
Marquise: With its elongated shape and pointed ends, the marquise diamond maximizes perceived size and creates a bold, elegant silhouette.
Asscher Cut: Similar to the emerald cut but square, featuring step-cut facets that showcase clarity and depth. A favorite among those drawn to Art Deco-inspired designs.
At Buchroeders, we encourage clients to try on different shapes to see how each one compliments their hand and personal style. Often, the shape you love most in photos may surprise you once you see it in person.
Color & Clarity: Balancing Beauty and Budget
When it comes to diamond quality, color and clarity affect both the appearance and price:
- Color: Rated on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). Near-colorless grades (G–I) often offer the best value since they appear white to the naked eye but cost significantly less than higher grades.
- Clarity: Refers to the number and size of internal or external imperfections (inclusions and blemishes). Many diamonds with SI1 or VS2 clarity look flawless to the eye but are more affordable than higher clarity grades.
Our diamond specialists can guide you through how to prioritize what matters most to you — maximizing size, brilliance, or budget — so you can make the most of your investment.
Natural vs. Lab-Grown Diamonds
Both natural and lab-grown diamonds are 100% real diamonds with the same physical, chemical, and optical properties. The key difference lies in their origin:
- Natural Diamonds are formed deep within the Earth over billions of years — each one completely unique and rare.
- Lab-Grown Diamonds are created using advanced technology that replicates natural conditions, resulting in a diamond identical in every way except origin.
Lab-grown diamonds typically cost 30–50% less than natural diamonds of comparable size and quality, offering exceptional value for couples who want to maximize carat weight or save for other parts of their wedding journey.
At Buchroeders Jewelers, we proudly offer both natural and lab-grown diamonds and will help you compare the benefits of each so you can choose the option that best fits your values, aesthetic, and budget.
4. Try On Different Settings and Metal Colors
Even if you’ve spent hours browsing engagement rings online or saving inspiration photos, it’s often not until you try rings on in person that you truly discover what you love. The shape, setting, and metal color can all look different once they’re on your hand — and many clients are pleasantly surprised by what they end up choosing.
At Buchroeders Jewelers, we encourage you to explore a variety of ring settings and metal options so you can find the perfect balance of style, comfort, and personality.
Popular Engagement Ring Settings
Solitaire: A timeless choice that showcases your diamond front and center. This setting is perfect for someone who loves a clean, elegant look that never goes out of style.
Halo: Surrounding the center diamond with smaller accent diamonds adds extra sparkle and the illusion of a larger stone — ideal for those who want maximum brilliance.
Hidden Halo: A modern twist on the classic halo, featuring a subtle row of diamonds beneath the center stone for a hint of sparkle only visible from the side.
Three-Stone: Symbolizing your past, present, and future together, this setting combines classic romance with versatility in shape and design.
Pavé or Micro-Pavé: Tiny diamonds set along the band add shimmer and sophistication while keeping the focus on the center stone.
Cathedral: Elegant arches rise up from the band to cradle the diamond, adding dimension and a touch of vintage flair.
Metal Colors & How They Affect the Look
The metal color of your ring can dramatically influence the overall style and appearance of your diamond:
Yellow Gold: Warm and traditional, yellow gold enhances the contrast of near-colorless diamonds and flatters a variety of skin tones.
White Gold: Sleek and contemporary, white gold provides a bright, reflective backdrop that makes diamonds appear extra brilliant.
Rose Gold: Romantic and modern, rose gold has a soft blush tone that complements warm complexions and pairs beautifully with vintage-inspired settings.
Platinum: The most durable and naturally white metal, platinum is perfect for those who want a luxurious, hypoallergenic option that stands the test of time.
Our Proposal Ready Rings collection allows you to try on many of these combinations — from a classic solitaire in platinum to a halo design in rose gold — so you can see how each style feels and sparkles in person.
Our in-store experts are passionate about helping you discover a design that might even surprise you. Many clients come in thinking they know exactly what they want, only to fall in love with a completely different setting once they see it on their hand. That’s the magic of the Buchroeders experience — combining expert guidance with personalized discovery.
5. Ensure Your Engagement Ring and Wedding Band Are a Perfect Match
When it comes time to choose your wedding bands, working with the same jeweler who created your engagement ring can make all the difference. A consistent design approach ensures that both rings not only complement each other aesthetically but also fit together seamlessly and comfortably.
At Buchroeders Jewelers, our team takes special care to match the structure, metal, and design details of your engagement ring when crafting or selecting your wedding band. This guarantees a cohesive look and a perfect fit — whether you prefer a contoured band that sits flush against your engagement ring or a timeless straight style.
Plus, with our exclusive Free Wedding Band Offer, when you spend $1,000 or more on one wedding band, you’ll receive a $400 credit toward your partner’s band. It’s our way of helping you celebrate your union while creating two rings that are beautifully aligned in both design and meaning.
Ready to Begin Your Ring Journey?
Whether you’re ready to design a custom piece or explore our Proposal Ready Rings, the experts at Buchroeders Jewelers are here to help.
Visit our showroom in Columbia, MO, or start your journey online to experience why Buchroeders is the best place to buy an engagement ring — where expertise meets exceptional service.
