Approximately 128 million carats of diamonds were estimated to have been produced from mines worldwide in 2016.  Wouldn’t it be great if the same engagement ring was perfect for every woman? Unfortunately, there are a number of reasons that isn’t the case. This is why there are so many different types of rings to choose from. A woman’s personal taste and the anatomy of her fingers are two of the biggest factors that will determine what type of ring you should purchase.  Moti Ferderis the design director of Lugano Diamonds, an exclusive jewelry boutique with locations in Newport Beach, Aspen and Palm Beach. His family’s diamond business, which was established in Antwerp, Belgium in 1965, provided Ferder with extensive gemological training allowing him to develop his skills and become a highly specialized diamond cutter.  We had the chance to talk to Moti to learn a little more about how to choose a perfect engagement ring.

Here are some factors to consider while choosing the right shape and style engagement ring for your future fiancé.

Finger length

Moti Ferder points out that your fiancé’s finger length is one of the most important things to consider while choosing an engagement ring. It is easier to choose an engagement ring for a woman with longer and more slender fingers, because most rings will accentuate these features. You can choose some wonderful rings for a woman with shorter and thicker fingers too, but you will need to do a little more research.

Both princess style and round stone rings are great for women with long fingers. Rings with wide bands are also great.

You need to be a bit more selective while looking for a ring for a fiancé with shorter fingers. Princess cut diamonds probably won’t work so well. You will want to choose a ring that will elongate her fingers. A round or pear-shaped stone will usually be a better fit.

Individual preferences

You will obviously want to get feedback from your future bride before choosing any engagement ring for her. Every woman’s perspective is going to be different and she is the one that will be wearing the ring, so you need her input, explains the Lugano Diamonds design director.

Nevertheless, it is a good idea to ask her to consult with a jeweler before making a decision. She may not have put a lot of thought into certain design elements, but an expert may show her why they are so important. Since she is going to wear this ring for the rest of her life, getting the right choice is crucial.

Budget

Unfortunately, your budget is going to play a role in every purchase that you make. If you are on a tighter budget, you may want to consider purchasing a princess or pear-shaped diamond. You can usually save up to 40% by choosing these styles instead of a round stone.

Finger width

Finger width is just as important as finger length when choosing a ring. You don’t want to have too much skin visible on either side of the ring, because it can create the perception of wider fingers.

Round stones don’t tend to work as well with wide fingers as long ones. However, there are many other stones that can work great. You could consider going for a princess style or white oval shaped stone.

You should also avoid using a thin band, because it will make her fingers look wider than they already are. You may also want to consider choosing a ring that isn’t perfectly symmetrical. It will minimize the finger width.

The same principles hold true for women with large knuckles. A wider and thicker band will draw attention away from large knuckles, which can be a plus if she is self-conscious about them.

Moti Ferder likes to quote Warren Buffett who once quipped “If you don’t know jewelry, know the jeweler.” When you are looking for the perfect gift, it helps to buy from someone you trust.  A diamond is the hardest material on Earth, and has long-since been recognized for its beauty as a gemstone.  Buying a diamond shouldn’t be that hard, but it is.