Asking the big question is one of life’s most exciting moments. Here in Perth, surrounded by our stunning beaches and beautiful city, it’s easy to get swept up in the romance. But finding the Perfect Engagement Ring to symbolise that moment can feel like a massive challenge.
It’s more than just a piece of jewellery. It’s a promise, a statement, and something your partner will (hopefully!) wear every single day for the rest of their life. The pressure is real.
As a family-owned Perth jeweller with over 35 years of experience, we’ve had the privilege of guiding thousands of couples through this journey. We’ve shared in their joy, their excitement, and we’ve also helped them navigate the confusion. In that time, we’ve seen a few common and completely avoidable mistakes that couples make.
These aren’t just little “oops” moments; they can lead to disappointment, buyer’s remorse, or overspending. We want your experience to be one of pure joy and confidence.
So, let’s sit down, have a chat (virtually, for now), and walk through the five biggest mistakes we see Perth couples make and, more importantly, how you can easily avoid them.
Mistake 1: The ‘Bigger is Better’ Myth (Prioritising Carat Over Cut)
This is, without a doubt, the number one trap. We’ve all been conditioned to think that the “carat” (the diamond’s weight) is the be-all and end-all. People come in saying, “I must have a 1-carat ring,” without understanding what that really means.
The Mistake: You spend your entire budget chasing a specific carat weight. To hit that number, you sacrifice the other, more important, ‘Cs’, especially the Cut.
The Problem: You end up with a large, but dull, lifeless-looking stone. A diamond’s sparkle, fire, and brilliance don’t come from its size; they come from its Cut. The cut refers to the precise angles and facets the artisan creates to catch and reflect light.
Think of it this way: a poorly cut diamond is like a dirty window. A well-cut diamond is like a prism, exploding with light. We have seen 0.80-carat diamonds that look more dazzling and even larger than a poorly cut 1.10-carat stone.
The Perth Pro-Tip: Fall in love with the sparkle, not just the spec sheet. We always encourage our clients to prioritise the Cut above all else. A well-cut diamond from a trusted jeweller will look spectacular regardless of its exact weight.
When you’re shopping, ask to see diamonds in different lighting not just under the intense, flattering spotlights of a jewellery counter. Step into the natural light by the shop window. A truly well-cut stone will sparkle beautifully in any environment, from a candlelit dinner at a restaurant on the Swan River to a sunny day at City Beach.
Our Advice: Let our experts show you what “brilliance” really means. We can show you two diamonds of the same carat weight side-by-side and you will instantly see the difference a premium cut makes.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the ‘Real Life’ Factor
We often see couples or a hopeful partner shopping solo, fixated on a stunning, high-profile, intricate ring they saw on Pinterest. It’s a work of art. But the person who will be wearing it is a nurse, a potter, a personal trainer, or a new mum.
The Mistake: Choosing a ring based purely on aesthetics without considering the wearer’s daily life, job, and hobbies.
The Problem: That gorgeous, sky-high setting that looks amazing in a photo becomes a daily frustration. It snags on clothes, scratches skin, and constantly gets knocked. If your partner is a doctor or nurse in Perth, they’ll be taking it on and off constantly to put on gloves, risking loss or damage. A very delicate, dainty band might not be practical for someone who works with their hands.
The Perth Pro-Tip: Be a “style and lifestyle” detective. Before you shop, observe:
- Their Job: Are they hands-on? Do they wear gloves? Do they type all day?
- Their Hobbies: Are they active in rock climbing, surfing, gardening or going to the gym?
- Their Style: Look at their current jewellery. Is it minimalist and modern, or bold and vintage? Are they a Yellow Gold, Rose Gold, or white gold/platinum person?
- The Profile: A “low-profile” setting, where the diamond sits closer to the finger (like a bezel or a lower basket setting), is often far more practical for an active life.
Our Advice: This is where a conversation with a real jeweller is invaluable. You can tell us, “She’s a primary school teacher, loves vintage style, and is always gardening.” We can instantly guide you toward designs that are durable, low-profile, and match that aesthetic like a beautiful bezel-set sapphire or a rub-over-set diamond that won’t get in the way.
Mistake 3: Believing ‘Custom’ is Too Complicated or Expensive
Many couples walk into a store, look at the rings in the case, and try to find “the one.” They find a ring that’s almost perfect. “I love the band,” they’ll say, “but I wish it had a different stone.” Or, “I love the diamond, but not this setting.”
The Mistake: Settling for an “off-the-shelf” ring that is 90% right because you assume a custom, bespoke design is out of your price range or will take too long.
The Problem: You compromise on the one piece of jewellery that is meant to be a perfect, permanent symbol of your unique love story. You end up with a ring that’s a “pretty good” fit, not a “perfect” one.
The Perth Pro-Tip: In many cases, custom design doesn’t mean more expensive; it means smarter spending.
When you choose a Bespoke Design, you are in complete control. You decide exactly where your budget goes. Want to prioritise the centre stone? We can design a simple, elegant setting to make it the hero. Fallen in love with an intricate, vintage-inspired band? We can source a stunning, high-quality lab-grown diamond or a vibrant gemstone (like a tanzanite or morganite) that allows you to have that complex design, all within your budget.
It’s also the perfect way to create something truly “Perth.” We’ve incorporated elements of the ocean, native flora, and personal symbols into rings. Or perhaps you have a family heirloom? We specialise in Remodelling, taking the stones from your grandmother’s ring and setting them into a modern design that’s 100% you.
Our Advice: Don’t settle. Creating a Custom Ring is our passion. It’s a fun, collaborative process. You don’t need to be a designer; all you need is a vague idea. We can sketch it out, create a digital model, and bring your unique story to life.
Mistake 4: Skipping the Local Relationship
In the age of the internet, it’s tempting to look for a “bargain” from an anonymous online-only retailer based overseas. You see a price that looks too good to be true (it often is) and you click “buy.”
The Mistake: Buying the most significant piece of jewellery you’ll ever own from a faceless website or a big-box chain store with high staff turnover, just to save a few dollars upfront.
The Problem: Your “relationship” with that seller ends the moment your credit card is charged.
- What happens when the ring arrives and it’s not quite right?
- Who will you turn to for the first (and very important) resizing?
- Who will professionally clean and check the setting for free every year?
- Who will provide a trusted, local Valuation for your Perth-based insurance?
- Who will be there in 10 years to craft a matching wedding band or eternity ring?
That “online bargain” suddenly becomes very expensive when you have to pay another jeweller for all the after-care services that should have been part of the experience.
The Perth Pro-Tip: An engagement ring is the start of a relationship with your partner, and with your jeweller. You are buying a piece that needs to last a lifetime, and it will require care.
By choosing a local, family-owned Perth jeweller like us, you are building a partnership. We’re not just here for the sale; we’re here for the life of the ring. We’re part of your community, with stores in Joondalup, Midland, and Mirrabooka. We’re the ones you can pop in and see, face-to-face, anytime.
Our Advice: Invest in peace of mind. Know that the people who sold you the ring are the same people who will care for it, repair it, and help you celebrate future milestones for decades to come.
Mistake 5: Falling for the ‘Three-Month Salary’ Myth
This is an old, tired “rule” that needs to be retired. It was, quite literally, invented by a marketing department in the 1930s. Yet, we still see couples walking in, visibly stressed, trying to hit an arbitrary spending target.
The Mistake: Letting an outdated marketing slogan, or pressure from friends and social media, dictate your budget.
The Problem: This leads to two major issues:
- You overspend and start your engagement in debt, which is a terrible way to begin a marriage.
- You feel embarrassed or awkward having an honest conversation about money, which makes the whole process stressful.
The Perth Pro-Tip: The perfect budget is the one that you and your partner (or just you) are 100% comfortable with. Period. The “right” amount is what allows you to get a beautiful ring that symbolises your love, without causing financial stress.
A good jeweller will never pressure you or make you feel uncomfortable. In fact, we prefer when you have a clear, honest budget.
Our Advice: Be open and honest with your jeweller. A simple “My comfortable budget is between $X and $Y” is the most helpful thing you can say. This isn’t a “test” to see what we can “upsell” you to. It’s the key that allows us to be your expert guide.
It lets us say, “Great! In that range, we can show you a stunning natural diamond with a beautiful cut. Or, if you wanted to go for a larger size, have you considered a Lab-Grown Diamond? You could get this size and quality for the same price.”
Honesty about your budget is what allows us to show you the absolute best value and find you the “wow” ring you’re looking for, without the stress.
Your Story Deserves a Joyful Beginning
Buying an engagement ring shouldn’t be an ordeal. It’s a celebration. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can move past the stress and focus on what really matters: finding that one, perfect ring that makes your partner’s eyes light up.
The best way to do that? Don’t go it alone. Come and chat with people who love this stuff.
We invite you to visit us at our Joondalup, Midland, or Mirrabooka stores. There’s no pressure and no obligation. Just a friendly, local, and expert team that is genuinely excited to hear your story and help you start the next chapter of your life in the most beautiful way possible.
