What To Know When Buying An Engagement Ring Online (How To Shop Virtually)

Twenty — even ten — years ago, most people would have dismissed the idea of buying an engagement ring online. A barrage of anxiety-inducing questions and concerns may have scared brides-to-be away from buying an engagement ring online: What if it looks completely different in person? What if I can’t personalize the design? What if it gets lost in the mail? It’s understandable that some shoppers felt uncomfortable purchasing such a life-changing investment piece online—maybe even you felt that way at some point. No judgment!

But fret not, because these days, buying an engagement ring online can actually be less stressful and time-consuming than trekking from jeweler to jeweler in hopes of finding the one. Our Oui by Jean Dousset collection of lab grown diamond engagement rings is not only expansive but entirely shoppable from the comfort of home. From high-definition images of every handcrafted design to our curated lab grown diamond feed that shows 360-degree views of the GIA-certified lab-created diamonds we offer, the Oui shopping experience is up-close-and-personal. And, when you shop with us, every step of the engagement ring process is personalized — giving you the freedom to choose what matters to you when buying an engagement ring. Here, we’re sharing what to know when buying an engagement ring online.

Should you shop for engagement rings together?

It’s happened more times than you can imagine: In an honest effort to meet outdated gender expectations, a groom-to-be buys an engagement ring without input from his partner, who was hoping he had picked up on all the little hints they’d been dropping. Alas, he had no clue — and now she’s haunted by an engagement ring she’d never pick herself in a million lifetimes. (You’re probably getting the chills just thinking about it!)

Okay, okay, so we’re being a bit dramatic. But ending up with an engagement ring you’re not in love with is entirely possible — particularly when one partner thinks they’re solely responsible for selecting and buying an engagement ring. The truth is, these days, it’s pretty normal for couples to shop for engagement rings together.. In fact, it’s actually encouraged! The first step in what to know before buying an engagement ring online is taking into account your partner’s preferences!

“The number-one rule I always tell someone shopping for rings is to not improvise when it comes to choosing a diamond’s shape,” says Jean, our Founder and Designer here at Jean Dousset. “In these modern times, an engagement is a conversation that should have many elements. The person who’s going to be wearing the ring knows their personal tastes more than anyone else. So their preferences really need to be front and center of the decision-making process.”

At first, re-approaching buying an engagement ring in an egalitarian fashion might take some getting used to for both parties. But just think about it this way: many same-gender couples have long pursued the engagement ring shopping process without regard for constrictive gender expectations. In the end, keeping an open line of communication is the ideal way to guarantee the engagement ring you end up with is the one you’ve always dreamed of — and when you shop for an engagement ring online, it’s easier than ever to save your favorite designs online and discuss them with your partner, any time, anywhere.

How much should I spend when buying an engagement ring?

It’s a question as old as time: What should my engagement ring budget be? While the answer depends on your unique financial situation, a rule of thumb is you should only spend as much as you and (or) your partner feels comfortable with. After all, your dream engagement ring shouldn’t lead to a financial nightmare. Keep in mind that there’s no “official” rulebook for dictating how much money an engagement ring should cost, so go ahead and let out a sigh of relief — you don’t have to follow that old-school two-to-three three-month’s salary rule. What to know about how much you should spend depends entirely on your unique budget.

To put things into perspective, in 2020, The Knot reported the average engagement ring cost amongst American newlyweds was $5,500, although any bride-to-be’s ideal ring could cost more or less, depending on her style preferences and the type of diamond used in the ring. At Oui, we exclusively use hand-selected, GIA-certified lab-grown diamonds of the highest quality for our designs’ center stones. This means that not only are you getting a lab diamond with all the beautiful properties of a natural diamond, but the diamond you select through our virtual diamond feed is more affordable than a natural diamond. Hence, couples can opt for a diamond with a greater size without compromising on its brilliance, scintillation, and color.

At Oui, our curated diamond feed allows you to select the lab diamond center stone for your engagement ring online, based on your budget and other preferences (such as color and carat weight). However, for those looking specifically for designs with natural diamond center stones, our Jean Dousset bespoke collection has you covered.

Can I customize or personalize my engagement ring online?

Good news: You can personalize your engagement ring online just as you could at a jeweler in person. In fact, some couples who shop for engagement ring designs online find they have an even greater opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind engagement ring when they opt for an online jeweler because the jewelers in their local area may not offer the options they’re looking for.

Every engagement ring design in our Oui collection — from timeless three stone and solitaire silhouettes to our iconic Seamless Halo® designs — can be personalized to your liking with your choice of an 18K precious metal or platinum, along with a complimentary engraving customized with the forever message you chose. Each Oui design also features the Signature Stone® accent that subtly defines all Jean Dousset engagement ring creations. A vivid gemstone of your choice that rests beneath the ring’s center stone, the embellishment (available in six different colored gemstones) is a “hidden” secret between you and your partner.

Additionally, Oui by Jean Dousset offers handy engagement ring online shopping tools for you to get the best sense of your engagement ring online, one of them being our 3D ring viewer. This allows you to view your ring with your personalizations from 360 degrees, pausing over any detail to get a closer look. We also offer a handy on-hand tool where you can select your skin tone to see what your engagement ring would look like in real life.

Aside from personalizing your engagement ring online, in case you’re unsure of what size you wear, we’ll send you a ring sizer. And, if you receive your ring and feel like it’s not the perfect fit, send it back to us within the first six months of your purchase, and we’ll resize it for you — on us.*

How do I know what kinds of diamonds I should consider?

Not all diamonds are created equal — unfortunately, some jewelers present their clients with diamonds that aren’t as beautiful as others. “No matter if you’re shopping for natural or lab diamonds, there are really poor-looking diamonds out there,” says Jean. One way to avoid running into mediocre lab diamonds? Educate yourself on the 4Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight or explore our guide on everything you need to know about lab grown diamonds.

But, for the average shopper, figuring out what to know about the 4Cs may not be enough to discern what to know to identify what is average or excellent. That’s why at Oui, we only offer the best diamonds — from your lab diamond center stone to the natural pavé and side stones surrounding it. “We exclusively work with the upper echelon of diamonds, no matter if they’re natural or lab-created” Jean notes. “So regardless of your budget, you know you’re being presented with the top 1% of diamonds currently available.”

All Oui diamonds are also certified by GIA, the most trusted and only grading authority for the diamond trade worldwide.

What if I need help shopping for my engagement ring online?

We get it: No matter how effortless and modernized online shopping can be, questions and concerns naturally arise during the decision-making process. As a luxury jeweler, Jean Dousset recognizes the importance of accessibility — making sure each potential client we work with knows our greatest priority is building and maintaining a relationship with them. Thus, our team of fine jewelry experts is always available to offer their perspective and guidance throughout your ring journey.

From traditional phone calls and iMessage to live chat, email, and even video chat, the ways to contact our customer agents online and offline are plenty and available every step of the way. Once you’ve virtually designed an engagement ring you adore, your purchase is also backed by complimentary, insured shipping and a 14-day return policy.

So sit back, get comfy, and just say Oui to the future of engagement ring shopping.