Finding the right engagement ring for your loved one is one of the biggest decisions you will ever have to make. After all, how do you find a ring that perfectly represents your relationship, says how much that one person means to you, and conveys the fact that you want to spend the rest of your life with them? That’s a lot to ask of a piece of jewelry, but then again, an engagement ring is more than just a piece of jewelry.

There are many things to consider when looking for the perfect ring. Sure, there are the four C’s: cut, clarity, color, and carat weight. And while those are all important things to keep in mind when purchasing a ring, they are not necessarily the most important considerations.

The first thing you need to figure out is your budget. Your partner likely not going to want to spend the rest of their life with you if you have been irresponsible enough to spend your life’s savings on a massive engagement ring, and will have to spend the rest of your lives together living in a cardboard box in the street. Before you go ring shopping, figure out how much money you can realistically spend on a ring, and then do not exceed that number.

You also need to consider who you’re buying the ring for. Remember, you are not the person that will be wearing this ring for the rest of their life. Just because you have a taste for the finer things in life, and all the biggest, fanciest diamond engagement rings catch your eye, does not mean it’s the right ring, if the person you’re giving it to has simpler tastes. Then again, don’t be afraid to step outside of the box and get a bit fancy if that’s what your partner likes.

While diamond engagement rings are by far the most popular, that does not mean that they are the only option out there. There are many different kinds of rings, from antique emerald engagement rings, to white gold emerald engagement rings, to art deco inspired engagement rings.

Whether it’s fancy diamond engagement rings, or a simple gold band, you’ll likely know the right engagement ring when you see it. And it’s important to keep in mind that in most cases, regardless of the ring you present, they will always remember it as the ring you gave them when you asked them to marry you, and that is all that matters. Ger more information on this topic here.