Ep. 52 - How Soon Should You Plan The Ring Purchase Before The Proposal?

Buy Like a Guy

Recently, a question was sent to me by a listener named Taylor. He asked, "How far in advance should I plan the ring purchase before proposing?" It's not the easiest of questions I've ever been asked since there are a lot of moving parts, but let me offer some guidelines that will help. First things first, decide when you want to pop the question, and work back from there. It's important to know what kind of ring style she/he wants, but it's not the end of the world if you don't. With that in mind, here is what you will need to figure out next. Choices, Choices... It's an age-old dilemma we see regularly in the jewelry industry. Too many choices if you opt for online shopping versus a carefully curated selection at a bricks-and-mortar store. Each has its merits, but I lean towards the personal touch of expert guidance in a traditional store. (Not to mention you can actually hold the ring instead of looking at pictures!) Custom Rings Interested in creating the perfect ring from the ground up? Great choice! However, one thing you need to keep in mind is that a work of art like that takes some time to create. For a ring of this caliber, you'll need to give at least three to five months from start to finish. It could take longer, unforseen delays happen, or it could be finished sooner but if this is your route plan enough time ahead so that you can save your future self from last-minute stress. Trust me; it's worth it. Off-the-shelf These are rings that your local jeweler has curated and on display for you to choose from. If you know what she wants, the size matches and they have the perfect match you can quite literally purchase and walk out the door the same day with the ring in hand. I know guys who have done this, they are rare, and it worked out well for them. They had the plan in place, knew what they wanted to get and popped the question when it was time. Such a power move. Ring Alterations Let's say you find the ring you're looking for, but it needs some alterations before it's ready for the proposal. Well, depending on what needs changing it will take additional time. If it is something simple, it may need a couple of days to a week to complete. If there are multiple things that need to be modified or the change is complex, it may be a month or longer. As always, speak with your local jeweler so you know the exact time frame in order to plan accordingly. They can give you the best answer. My Recommendation? My ultimate recommendation is simple: purchase that ring as early as possible. Whether it's a custom design, one that needs alterations, or an off-the-shelf beauty, planning ahead on getting the ring earlier rather than later will help your proposal go off without a hitch. (Mostly. Prepare for hitches. There seem to always be hitches when we don't need them.) If you'd like help finding a jeweler closer to home, email me at [e-mail] and I'll do my best to put you in touch with some of the best jewelers on earth. Music credits: Preacher Man by Miles Neilson and The Rusted Hearts, used with permission. A killer band with original songs that get stuck in your head. They're awesome. Listen To Preacher Man on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/7ImcaJKIk0ZVtPzuUVV4vc?si=80581c74a9be4987