Shopping for an engagement ring is an exciting experience, and it can be hard not to get caught up in the thrill of carats, center stones and sparkling bands. Not to mention being gaga over the love of your life. But there are quite a few things to consider when you’re deciding on an engagement ring, and knowing some key points ahead of time will make your shopping go much more smoothly.

Here are some points to keep in mind when shopping for an engagement ring:

Ring Inspections

Engagement rings should be inspected every six months. Inspections make sure that the ring remains structurally sound and that all stones are securely in place. The polishing and cleaning process removes the dulling film that develops on the diamond and metal as a result of day-to-day wear. After an inspection, your ring will look vibrant and new, and any structural problems will be detected early on and addressed.

Keep in mind that certain rings require more maintenance and attention. For example, rings with higher heads are more high-maintenance and need to be handled delicately, while pave-set diamond engagement rings need to be checked routinely to see if stones have fallen out. Follow these steps to help prevent losing diamonds, which are costly to replace.

All engagement rings come with paperwork that contains information about ring inspections. When purchasing an engagement ring, be sure to check your paper work and understand the warranty. Most warranties require the engagement ring to be inspected bi-annually. Be sure to adhere to all terms and requirements so your warranty will remain valid.

Insuring Your Ring

Insuring the ring is important because it has a high monetary and sentimental value. Engagement ring insurance is generally affordable, but it may be more expensive depending on where you live. Ring insurance can be purchased in several ways. For instance, ring insurance can be added to your existing renters’ or homeowners’ policies. This policy will cover the ring up to a certain dollar amount. The ring can also be covered under a specialized jewelry insurance policy, which will replace a lost and stolen ring instead of giving you a set cash amount.

Before choosing your policy, be sure to understand the different circumstances under which the ring is covered (i.e. loss, theft, etc.). Be familiar with the ways your policy can be voided as well as the circumstances under which the ring is not covered. Understand ring replacement methods, as well as if its full value is covered under the policy.

Etiquette

In a perfect world, your engagement ring will be the start of a beautiful life together. However, weddings get called off for a myriad of reasons. According to etiquette, who gets the ring in the case of the engagement not working out? Etiquette states that the engagement ring is to be returned when a wedding is called off. The rule applies regardless of who ended the engagement.

If your fiancé ignores etiquette and wants an expensive keepsake, you may be in for a legal fight. Some state laws determine whether the ring is returned or not based on conditions such as who broke off engagement and how the ring was given. Therefore, you should understand engagement ring laws in your state before popping the question.