Searching online for an engagement ring? Heres where to shop

Engagement season is quickly approaching, and if you’re thinking of popping the big question, you’ll need something sparkly (and hopefully big) to do it with.While some visit jewelers in person to purchase an engagement ring, there are benefits to shopping online.Along with gaining access to more styles and customizations, options at brick-and-mortar stores, thanks to premium markups, cost significantly more (according to reports, we’re talking between 20% and 50%).With more online retailers offering concierge services, many shoppers are realizing they can have the ring of their dreams designed without leaving the comfort of their home.Ring shape and setting trends may change over time, but in terms of stones, diamonds (lab-grown or natural) remain a popular choice.“The classics never go out of style, but I think that today’s brides and grooms want something timeless and personal,” Nellie Barnett, a former diamond grader for the Gemological Institute of America, told The Post.

“Considering the turbulent year and a half the world has experienced, there is a strong desire to have engagement rings with a personal touch — using symbolism, creating custom settings or requesting unique diamond cuts.”Purchasing an engagement ring is a personal decision and, with so many customization tools offered online nowadays, the process couldn’t be simpler.Whether you’re unable to access a jeweler or simply prefer to see prices and specifications up front, it’s the preferred process for some.“Whether shopping online or in a store, the quality of a diamond affects its price [along with if it’s a lab-grown diamond], which is why we highly recommend anyone considering a diamond to look for one with a GIA report,” Barnett said.

“GIA Diamond Grading Reports are based on rigorous examination by trained and experienced professionals who use scientific and impartial assessment of the diamond’s four C’s —color, clarity, cut and carat — to provide the ...