The engagement ring may be one of the biggest expenses of your wedding, and as with buying any big-ticket item, you need to do your homework. We tapped Jerry Ehrenwald, the president of the International Gemological Institute, for some quick guidelines on what couples need to do when they're buying an engagement ring.
These simple guidelines are a good starting point for your ring research, but there are other factors to keep in mind such as ring insurance and whether you want a conflict-free diamond. Do more extensive research before buying to prevent buyer's remorse.