How do you choose the best lesbian engagement ring for your perfect proposal? For many lesbian and bisexual women, an engagement ring is more than just jewelry. It’s a symbol of unity, love and the triumph of LGBT civil rights in legalizing same-sex marriage.
However, shopping for an engagement ring for your partner can also be a daunting task. How much should you spend? Does the ring need to have a diamond? Should you take your girlfriend with you to pick it out?
To help guide you, here are 4 tips about how to shop for a lesbian-friendly engagement ring:
1. Reflect on Your Relationship
When wedding bells are in the air, you may be wondering: should I propose to her or should she propose to me? Since there are no cultural expectations based on gender roles (as with a straight couple), either one of you could pop the question!
So make this decision based on your history as a couple. Are you the more spontaneous, assertive half of the relationship? Or do you think your girlfriend would have more fun being the romantic? You could also propose to each other and shop for your engagement rings together.
2. Determine Your Budget
Before you go to a jewelry store or shop for LGBT engagement rings online, figure out how much you plan to spend. Don’t panic — you don’t need to break the bank to propose! The old adage that an engagement ring should cost you two months’ salary was actually a marketing scheme.
The New York Times reported in 2012* that the average consumer spent $4000 on an engagement ring, but there are many options below and above that cost. equalli.com offers handcrafted rainbow sapphire engagement rings starting at just $275.
3. Find the Right Jeweler
Next, you’ll want to find the right jeweler to ensure your engagement ring is the highest quality available. Don’t get stuck with a ring made from inferior materials — or worse, a ring that’s counterfeit or sourced using unethical, exploited labor. Unfortunately, some mass-produced rings fall under this category, so do your research before you make your purchase!
Here at Equalli, all of our gemstones, diamonds and precious metals are sourced from conflict-free areas, and the jewelry is created ethically and to the highest standard. Plus, our rings are specifically made for LGBT unions and feature the pride flag rainbow (ROYGBP).
4. Pick the Right Ring
Finally, after you’ve decided to be the one to propose, settled on a budget and found a great jeweler, it’s time to pick the ring!
Again, think about your girlfriend’s personality and tastes. Does she like a lot of bling or is her style more subdued? Does she like silver or gold? Diamonds or other gemstones?
Bonus Tip: if you don’t know her ring size, sneak into her jewelry box and take a ring she won’t notice missing.
Your love is unique, so your LGBT engagement ring should reflect who you are and why your union is special. A perfect wedding begins with a perfect proposal, and an engagement ring is the icing on the cake!
