By Gary A.
Edited by Brian M.
Published Nov 14, 2021
Edited on Oct 17, 2024
If you are looking to combine romance and timeless elegance, Valentine’s Day engagement rings offer a meaningful way to celebrate love and create a moment she’ll never forget.
Whether an entire 24-hour stint dedicated to romance makes you starry-eyed or a bundle of nerves, there’s no denying that, for anyone in love, a certain amount of pressure is inevitable. First off, there’s the pressure to plan – to get in early with a reservation and an order for flowers. Next, there’s the pressure to find a gift that is as romantic as it is meaningful – something that simply says more than a box of chocolates ever could.
And, to cut a long story short, you’re here – and that fact alone means you’re already headed in the right direction.
Here’s our guide to buying jewelry for Valentine’s Day.
Before we dive deeper into the specifics, here are some practical tips to help guide your decision-making process:
Now that you’ve got these practical tips, use Jeweler AI below to find the perfect engagement ring that suits your style and budget:
It’s a rite of passage for any couple. While Valentine’s Day may be a day devoted to cliché, there is nothing formulaic about investing in a beautiful piece of jewelry for your partner.
Jewelry has become such a great gift option for many reasons, and not least among them is the fact that it can be kept forever, and is capable of taking on even more sentimental value than financial value. Jewelry is a gift that does all the talking on your behalf – and even for many years after you’ve gifted it.
For Valentine’s Day, most shoppers are looking to find a classic piece – something that will last the wearer many, many years – and outfit changes – so we’d usually recommend you stick to the simpler designs: tennis bracelets, pendant necklaces, stackable rings, and earrings that she will be able to wear with anything.
Is there any other time more romantic than Valentine’s Day? Interestingly, research suggests men consider Valentine’s Day a more romantic day for a proposal than women.
Do with that information what you will…
Is Valentine’s Day the best time to propose? Maybe – but don’t be fooled into thinking February 14th is the best or most romantic time to pop the question.
Chances are, if you’re looking into diamond jewelry, the thought has already been planted in your head. Proposing on Valentine’s Day is the obvious choice for the fact that it represents an entire day devoted to the theme of love and commitment.
The trouble is, for many people, proposing on Valentine’s Day feels like a cliché now. Your news is apt to get lost in a sea of romantic posts on social media, and two important days for any couple – Valentine’s and the anniversary of your engagement – will be combined together rather than celebrated on their own.
For many, the appeal of a Valentine’s day proposal tends to lie in the offers and deals put out there by the big chain stores and online retailers in the weeks leading up to February 14th. The thing is, working out the best time to buy an engagement ring is a little more complicated than ‘three weeks before Valentine’s Day’, and it’s worth getting that question answered before you drop thousands on a Cupid-themed proposal.
Remember that diamonds rarely go ‘on sale’. The deal will be on the ring setting, or on premade diamond rings, rather than the stone – which, ultimately, is the most important part of all.
It doesn’t have to be the ring…
Bracelets, earrings, rings, and necklaces all represent great options, but there’s a few questions you’ll want to ask yourself before you settle on one over the rest…
Your girlfriend may not have explicitly stated her preference for bracelets over necklaces, or rings over earrings, but the proof lies in what she tends to gravitate towards when she’s searching through her jewelry box.
On the flipside, some women have already settled on a particular piece that they don’t intend on removing. So, if your girlfriend spends every day, night, shower, and beach day wearing a particular necklace, for instance, attempting to replace it with another special piece of jewelry may not be the best approach.
There’s more to fine jewelry than straightforward yellow gold and sterling silver, but starting off with this question is the best way to start yourself off on the right track. Many women hold a preference for the cooler hues of sterling silver, white gold, and platinum – or, alternatively, for the warmer tones of yellow or rose gold.
She might have a mix of yellow gold jewelry, silver and white gold, and platinum – in which case, you’ve got free rein – but, if not, we’d recommend sticking to theme on this one.
There’s a major difference between a simple tennis bracelet and a heavy, bold cuff, for instance. One can be worn every day, alongside workwear, casual clothes, or formal dress; the other is going to be reserved for special occasions that call for a bigger statement.
Some people are worries about sticking to the classics, at the risk of picking out something unremarkable and unexciting. This is where picking out a truly special focal point – a design or gemstone that transforms a simple piece into something that will be treasured for decades.
There are a few elements that have come to represent the staples of fine jewelry, and one of those elements is, of course, diamond.
The great thing about diamonds, aside from their versatility, is the fact that they are irrevocable classics for the jewelry world. Unlike pearls, which tend to come in and out of style – sometimes favored, sometimes demoted to ‘old-fashioned’ – their popularity and emotional significance is unmistakable, and perfectly suited to the most romantic day of the year.
While some women enjoy collecting designer pieces, it’s a common misconception among first-time jewelry buyers that you need to go for one of the big, distinctive brands to find something beautiful. Our opinion? You’ll spend a lot of money on the branding – a barely-visible stamp on the jewelry, and a box that will be stashed away in a draw for many years to come.
If you shop from WillYou.com, you don’t have to pay a premium for a name or brand, – but you do get to take advantage of a high level of craftmanship and value for money that you may not otherwise get.
Whether you’re investing in a ring (the ring) or another piece of fine jewelry, you’ll want to think carefully about the type of metal your partner wears. Most people prefer to wear one or the other – a colored metal like gold (yellow or rose), or a ‘white’ metal like silver, white gold, and platinum. Some people do mix metals, but doing so should be considered an acquired taste.
If this is a special piece of jewelry, ensure you’re choosing a strong and durable metal, Sterling silver is cheaper, but it’s not as strong and won’t last years and years of regular wear. Stick with 14K gold (or 18K if your budget allows), or platinum.
Of all the gifts given on Valentine’s Day, jewelry is arguably the most meaningful.
Yes, it may be a common trope for February 14th, but you can make it your own by putting hours’ worth of thought into the piece you’re going to pick out for her – and those hours will pay off for many, many years to come.
Jewelry is a timeless gift. It’s romantic without being sappy, and capable of taking on more and more significance for her as your relationship moves forward for plenty more milestones to come.
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