When is the Best Time to Buy an Engagement Ring?

When is the best time to buy an engagement ring?

It’s one of the most common questions we get asked. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, though. Just like choosing the right stone, setting, and band, it all depends! There’s really never a bad time to buy an engagement ring if you’re ready to pop the question.

However, there are some things you should know about timing if you want to:

1. Get the best possible deal on your ring.

2. Avoid the stress of racing against a tight timeline.

You might find a better price on your ring during the Black Friday or holiday shopping frenzy…or our bi-annual diamond sale, but this is also when turnaround times can be the slowest. You might want to figure out when you want to propose and work backwards from there to buy your engagement ring on schedule.

We’re going to help you figure out when to buy an engagement ring in this guide. But you can always get in touch with our team at Alexis Russell for personalized support planning things like this out. Take the next step and design your own engagement ring today!

When is the Best Time to Buy an Engagement Ring?

The first thing you need to know is there is NO correct answer on when to buy an engagement ring. That said, timing does affect pricing, stone availability, and how much pressure you’ll feel during the process.

Production schedules, proposal trends, and sourcing cycles all play a role in the best time to buy an engagement ring. While we think there’s never a bad time to take the next step in your journey as a couple, there ARE three specific times of year that make sense to purchase a ring.

January Through March: Off-Peak Seasons For Faster Delivery

Late winter and early spring are the quietest seasons for engagement ring shopping. Most proposals happen between November and February, which means demand drops sharply after the holidays.

There aren’t really any deals during this time of year - except for Valentine’s Day in some cases.

So why would you want to buy a ring from January to March? Simple - your jeweler will give you more flexibility and attention!

Fewer orders in the queue means custom rings move through design, casting, and setting faster. Communication tends to be quicker as well, since our team isn’t juggling the same volume of holiday deadlines.

Stone availability can also be better. Unique diamonds and gemstones that weren’t scooped up during peak season are still in inventory. You have more choices without competition.

The trade-off is timing on your end - which means there may not be a trade-off at all! Buying early in the year usually means planning a proposal several months out.

If you’re aiming for a Valentine’s Day or early spring proposal, this window may already be too late. The weather may limit proposal location options depending on where you live. But this is a non-issue if you’re fine holding onto the ring for a while and waiting to propose later in the year.

Summer Months: Plenty of Time to Plan the Perfect Proposal

We hear all the time that summer is the best time to buy an engagement ring. People who say this aren’t wrong. There’s a balance between availability and planning flexibility from June to August.

Many couples use this time to shop early for fall or winter proposals, which creates steady - but manageable - demand. Jewelers are busy, but not overwhelmed, so you won’t have to stress about solid design revisions.

This is also a good time for couples who want to be involved in the process together. Vacations, flexible schedules, and longer daylight hours make it easier to schedule in-person or virtual consultations.

The downside is that popular stones can move fast since more people are shopping during this time. You might fall in love with a specific ring only to find that it’s gone the next day - which is why it’s so important to act fast when you find “the one” especially with all of our stones being one-of-a-kind.

Summer works best when you’re planning ahead rather than reacting to a fixed proposal date. Production timelines are longer than in early spring, especially by late August.

Black Friday/Holiday Shopping: Big Savings, But Longer Lead Times

Late November through December is the busiest time of year for engagement rings. Promotions are at their peak during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, so you can save a lot of money by purchasing a ring at this point in the year.

But a lot of buyers want their ring in hand before Christmas or New Years Eve. That’s not always realistic unless you start earlier in the fall. Production schedules are tight. Custom rings need longer lead times. Last-minute changes become harder to accommodate. Stone availability narrows fast, especially for one-of-a-kind gems. Shipping carriers are also under strain. This gets risky if you’re planning around a very specific proposal date.

This can be the best time to buy an engagement ring if you go with a ready-to-ship ring or feel comfortable locking in decisions fast. Or, maybe you don’t have a proposal date in mind yet and just want to get your ring purchased well in advance - this is a great time to do it.

When Should You NOT Buy an Engagement Ring?

So, when is the best time to buy an engagement ring? There are actually a few times of year that make sense. The truth is, though, the right time is highly individualized. And frankly, it has less to do with “time of year” and more to do with your situation.

That being said, there are a few circumstances in which the timing may not be right to purchase an engagement ring. This is when waiting is the smarter option.

When You’re Rushed by a Fixed Proposal Date

Buying under a hard deadline limits your options. Custom rings take time to design, cast, set, polish, and deliver. The last thing we want you to do is feel like you’re settling for what’s available instead of what you actually desire.

Rushed timelines also prevent you from comparing stones. Subtle differences in cut, color distribution, and proportions matter in real light, and those details get overlooked when decisions are made in days instead of weeks.

Even sizing becomes a guess, which increases the chance of post-proposal resizing or rework. Our advice is to always push the proposal date back instead of compromising on the ring of your dreams.

When Your Budget Depends on Short-Term Financing Decisions

Financing can be useful, but it shouldn’t be the only thing making the purchase possible. It’s usually better to pause if your budget relies on uncertain approval, temporary income changes, or future bonuses.

Monthly payments add up. Interest, down payments, and fixed terms affect your finances months after the ring is delivered, if not years. Committing before understanding those details may leave you with regret later, especially when other expenses follow close behind.

When You’re Not Ready For This Next Step in Your Relationship

It’s so important that you and your partner are on the same page BEFORE you buy an engagement ring, especially a custom one that you can’t return. You’re committing to forever with your other half, and they’re doing the same to you. That’s not something to take lightly.

It’s worth slowing down if you’re unsure about expectations around marriage, timelines, or life plans. Buying before those conversations happen often leads to second-guessing the ring, the timing, or both.

Why Do Engagement Ring Prices Shift Throughout the Year?

You could pay a very different price for the exact same ring depending on when you buy it. Why is that? Just like any industry, engagement ring prices are influenced by supply, demand, production capacity, and raw material costs. Factors include:

• Changes in Stone Availability and Demand: Many rings use one-of-a-kind stones. Once a specific diamond or gemstone is sold, it’s gone. Desirable sizes, shapes, and color profiles move faster during high-demand periods, leaving fewer options and pushing buyers toward rarer stones that often cost more.

• Seasonal Proposal Trends and Production Volume: Proposal volume spikes in late fall and winter. More orders moving through the same number of benches puts pressure on production. Timelines tighten and flexibility drops when jewelers face higher volume, affecting pricing for custom work or rush production.

• Precious Metal Price Fluctuations: Gold and platinum prices change throughout the year based on global markets. Small increases in metal cost can have a big impact on ring pricing, especially for heavier bands or detailed settings. This is true of ALL jewelry, not just engagement rings.

But now that you know all about when to buy an engagement ring, you can use these shifts in your favor! We’ll offer a little more advice on how to shop for engagement rings below.

Tips on Timing Your Engagement Ring Purchase

Buying an engagement ring goes more smoothly when timing decisions are made early, not reactively. Give yourself enough room to choose the right stone, confirm production timelines, and avoid unnecessary pressure. Here are some tips on your next steps:

• Start with the proposal date, then work backward: There are multiple steps in customizing engagement rings. Come up with your proposal date first, then count backward and add buffer time to avoid rush fees or limited options.

• Secure the stone before finalizing the setting: One-of-a-kind stones sell fast. Lock in the stone first so you don’t lose it while design details are still being finalized.

• Plan for accurate sizing: Incorrect sizing leads to post-proposal resizing, which adds time and logistics. Building this into your timeline avoids last-minute fixes.

• Decide on payment method before checkout: Financing approvals, credit limits, or bank transfers can delay orders. Settling this early keeps production moving smoothly.

• Avoid peak deadlines when flexibility matters: Late fall and winter get hectic in terms of production. Shopping earlier gives more room for revisions and stone selection.

• Account for what comes after the ring: Engagements often precede other major expenses. Buying when your schedule and finances are stable prevents stress from trickling downstream.

All that being said, how long does it take to customize a ring? You can typically expect the process to take 3-5 weeks when you work with us here at Alexis Russell. So, don’t wait any longer. The best time to buy an engagement ring is right here, right now!

Why Buy an Engagement Ring at Alexis Russell?

Alexis Russell is your trusted jeweler for unique engagement rings, customized to perfection with a fast turnaround time.

Stones are chosen for character, reviewed by trained specialists, and designed individually in-house. Rings are handcrafted start to finish in our New York studio. You always have a direct line to the people involved in making your piece.

We work exclusively with conflict-free diamonds, ethically sourced gemstones, and recycled precious metals so you can feel good about partnering with us, too. Custom designs are created using CAD specific to your stone, not reused files.

Whether you want to go the traditional route with diamonds or are exploring alternatives to diamond engagement rings, such as a sapphire engagement ring or salt and pepper diamond engagement ring, we can help you weigh your options.

You can meet with an AR stylist in person, virtually, over the phone or even via email to view real stones in real light, and make informed decisions without pressure. So what are you waiting for? Let’s build your dream ring together today.

Wrapping Up Our Guide on When to Buy an Engagement Ring

So, when is the best time to buy an engagement ring? As we bring this guide to a close, we hope you feel confident in your next steps. The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer on when to buy an engagement ring - and there’s never a “wrong” time.

But our rule of thumb is this: the earlier, the better. The right timing gives you better access to stones, more flexibility in production, and less pressure throughout the process.

Whether you want to learn more about the types of engagement ring bands or the most unique gemstone engagement rings available, get started today with Alexis Russell. Book a consultation with our team or experiment with our 3D ring builder!