Proposing? Here are Engagement Ring FAQs

Engagement ring traditions and trends have changed multiple times over the years; these rules that once existed are not quite as relevant today as they once were. While there are some general guidelines you may follow that give a good foundation to begin your search for the perfect ring, a lot of different variables play into the experience and the purchase.


People commonly wonder how much to spend on an engagement ring. For a long time, the recommendation for what to spend on an engagement ring was three times the monthly income of the buyer. While this can still be used as a starting point, it’s not a requirement or even a set rule anymore.

The average to spend on an engagement ring should be based more on your financial situation and the decisions, expectations, and preferences of your fiancée. Some people have no problem financing a ring or spending more than the “suggested” amount, whereas others prefer to be more frugal and minimize their costs a bit more. So when asking, “How much do people spend on engagement rings?” know that whatever works for you is the perfect amount.

It varies across the United States. The average engagement ring cost is typically between $5,000 and $7,000, but a lot goes into the overall price. The size of the diamond and the current price per carat, the metal options that will impact the overall engagement ring cost, and any additional details, such as side stones, diamond shape, and engravings all play a role in the final engagement ring cost.

The average diamond size for an engagement ring is between 1.08 and 1.2 carats, but you can choose any engagement ring diamond size that you want for your special someone.

You may want to ask your significant other her opinion about what is a good size diamond for an engagement ring, and that may help you narrow down your choices. You may choose to go bigger or smaller than the average carat size for an engagement ring because of your lifestyle, budget, or personal preferences, or you may be selecting a diamond shape that looks better in a size that isn’t close to the average engagement ring size.

Discount stores or retailers that sell several different items are not engagement ring experts, you need a jeweler that you can trust to give you the best information in buying an engagement ring. It should be no secret that the best way to buy an engagement ring is to visit a trustworthy and reputable jewelry store.

At Roman Malakov, our professional staff members will give you an overview of our engagement ring buying guide and information about the best time of year to buy an engagement ring. They will also answer any questions you have and provide guidance toward a ring that will make your fiancée’s eyes shine. Our staff members know the jewelry industry inside-out, and will be an incredibly valuable asset as you plan to buy an engagement ring.

There are many options available and we understand that it gets overwhelming so we are here to help. Trust Roman Malakov to talk you through choices and walk you through the process from start to finish.

Together, we'll discuss all your options until we can narrow it down to the best style and design that encapsulates your best suited style. We'll teach you about the differences between ready-made and custom-designed rings.

Proper sizing of engagement rings is very important since the ring will be worn daily. If you have asked, “How should an engagement ring fit?” you’ve come to the right place. Rings should fit snugly over the knuckle with a little bit of resistance, but it should not be too tight or too loose once it’s completely on.

If you need to know how to make an engagement ring fit better, we can tell you about resizing options, both permanent and temporary. If you need help figuring out how an engagement ring should fit on fiancée’s finger or if you’re uncertain about the fit of your ring, come in to Roman Malakov and we’ll take a look and assess the fit of your engagement ring.

Wedding band purchases are usually made by the couple together as part of the wedding planning. You may want to consider the option of engagement rings that will fit into wedding bands, but know that your bride-to-be may prefer a different style for her wedding band.

It’s not recommended that you purchase a wedding band that matches the engagement ring unless you’re certain about her preferences, but it may be nice to give her some customizable options that pair well with her engagement ring when you go shopping for the wedding bands together. If you think she wants a wedding band that fits around the engagement ring but don’t want to pick that out without her, you can look at the engagement ring styles we have that would align with her preferences.

Although there are some solid reasons why most engagement rings are diamond-focused, they don’t have to be.

Diamond engagement rings are traditional because of the hardness of the stone (which makes it great for everyday wear), the rarity and special meaning behind diamonds; and the sparkling beauty that they have. Diamond engagement rings are the most common but engagement rings definitely don’t have to have a diamond as the center stone.

You can get nearly any stone you’d like set into an engagement ring, but the most common ones are sapphires, emeralds, rubies, turquoise, and amethyst.

Custom-designing an engagement ring is a great way to ensure you have a unique ring that is perfect but, "how long does it take to make an engagement ring?” Typically, this process takes 3-4 weeks on average. Depending on the intricacy of the ring, it can be shorter or longer.

Our process starts with selecting the center stone, choosing the overall design style and details, making selections for specific details, and then sizing the ring. If you want to learn more about our process and how to make custom engagement rings, we invite you to visit us in-store or call us to get information on timelines and your custom ring options.

Engagement ring engraving can be an extremely meaningful gesture that makes the perfect ring that much more special. You might choose to present an engraved engagement ring to your future bride to make the ring stand out as more unique and increase the sentiment and romance behind it.

But how do you know what to engrave on an engagement ring? Some engagement ring engraving ideas include the date of the wedding, a special saying or word that is significant to your relationship, an inside joke, song lyrics, or anything that has meaning to you and your soon-to-be spouse. If you’re struggling with what to engrave on an engagement ring or have questions about when to get the engraving done, trust Roman Malakov to guide you in the right direction.

Engagement ring insurance is a must-have for everyone. No matter how much the ring costs, it is worth it to insure your engagement ring. Insurance will cover damage, loss, and theft, and you should get an engagement ring insurance quote as soon as you purchase the ring to make sure it’s covered immediately.

You can often add jewelry insurance to your homeowner’s or renter’s policy, or you can seek a third-party company to insure your jewelry. Learning how to insure an engagement ring shouldn’t be stressful, and it won’t be when you talk to a trusted jeweler who can refer you to a reputable and honest engagement ring insurance company.