Jewelers in Connecticut — How To Pick An Engagement Ring
Choosing the perfect engagement ring for your future spouse can be a daunting task. Here are some tips to guide you through the process and make it more fun, whether you’re looking for jewelry stores in Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, or anywhere else in Connecticut.
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The Best jewelers in connecticut
Here are my 11 favorite jewelers in Connecticut — in no particular order.
Libero Jewelers in North Haven
Libero Jewelers is a family owned jewelry store with over 30 years of experience. With endless designer mountings and bands from lines such as Gabriel & Co, Timeless Designs, and Benchmark. Their average turnaround time for engagement rings is anywhere between 1-4 weeks.
Baribault Jewelers in Glastonbury
Family and woman-owned jewelry store! Baribault Jewelers is of the premier engagement and bridal jewelry stores in CT and New England. You can choose from any of the designer brands they carry or work directly with their in-house designer.
ElyseRyan Jewelry in Avon
ElyseRyan Jewelry is a fashion retailer owned and operated by Elise Rosenstock. ElyseRyan Jewelry showcases artistic, travel-inspired items featuring sterling silver and hand-picked gemstones. They have been featured in multiple publications, including In Style, Town & Country, and Vogue. Turnaround time for engagement rings is typically between 5-6 weeks.
Hannoush Jewelers in Farmington
With four locations in Connecticut (Danbury, Enfield, Farmington, and South Windsor) the one in Farmington is the one I am most familiar with. The store is located in Westfarms Mall and is definitely one of the larger stores on this list with seemingly endless options for engagement rings. Turnaround times are between 2-4 weeks.
Emily Marquis Designs in Stonington
This one is for all the DIY couples out there. Emily Marquis Designs is a goldsmithing studio in Stonington, CT. The studio specializes in custom and retail bridal solutions online and by appointment at their studio. You can book an engagement ring or a wedding band workshop to work with them directly. As can be expected, custom engagement rings from them can take more than 2 months.
Michaels in multiple locations in CT
Michaels is probably the most known brand here in CT when it comes to jewelry and more importantly, engagement rings. They’ve been in the game for well over 100 years and have 10 stores throughout the state. Turnaround times vary between stores but you can expect about 1-4 weeks of wait time.
The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company in Mystic
The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. is a shop, worthy of a trip for perfectly crafted custom-made ring and jewelry designs. I should also mention that they have antique jewelry for sale as well! Custom rings can take more than 4 weeks but simpler designs should have you walking out with a ring in 2-3 weeks.
Lux BOND AND GREEN in West hartford
This shop is just a few miles from my studio, but they have locations throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts. Lux Bond and Green has been around for over 125 years now and they’re easily one of the most trustworthy brands when it comes to engagement rings in Connecticut. Turnaround times vary, but are typically between 1-4 weeks.
Kevin Edward Jewelers in Avon
Kevin Edward has been in the jewelry industry since he was 22. He’s seen it all and helped thousands of guys pick out the right ring for their future fiancée. They’re pretty quick, with an average turnaround time of 1-3 weeks!
NAGI Jewelers in Stamford
NAGI Jewelers is like many businesses on this list, a family owned one, and currently run by the 2nd generation of the family. NAGI has certified watchmakers, gemologists, and master jewelers available to help. Turnaround times for engagement rings are on the longer side, especially for custom orders — about 3-5 weeks.
Cellini Design Jewelers in Orange
Last but not least on this list is Cellini Design in Orange, CT. They’ve been in business since 1948 so you’re in good hands if you’re in the New Haven area and are undecided on how to pick the perfect ring. Turnaround times for engagement rings are anywhere between 1-5 weeks.
6 Engagement ring buying tips
Average cost - Before you start shopping, decide your budget. This will help you narrow down your choices and ensure you are spending comfortably. Traditionally, it is said that you ought to spend the equivalent of two or three months of your salary on the ring. This, however, is absolutely not a hard and fast rule. Cultural expectations, preferences, and subjective ideas about budgeting all come into the equation when deciding on how much to drop on the ring.
Most popular cut and what is trending - There are a plethora of diamond shapes to choose from! Round, princess, cushion, pear, and marquise to name a few. The shape you choose is really a matter of personal preference, but for 2023, keep an eye peeled for pavé, vintage-inspired cuts!
Select a metal - Some of the most popular metals for engagement rings are white gold, platinum, yellow gold, and rose gold. Whatever you pick, it should complement the diamond. Pro tip: Check out some of your partner's favorite jewelry to see if they already have a preference!
Real diamonds vs lab diamonds - Real diamonds, or "natural diamonds,” take billions of years to form in high-pressure, high temp atmospheres deep under the earth's mantle. They must be mined, cut, and polished. For those exploring options beyond traditional natural diamonds, consider rings with lab-grown diamonds as a contemporary alternative. Lab-grown diamonds, as the name suggests, are produced in laboratories using an advanced technological simulation of what occurs in nature- pretty cool, eh? Really, it comes down to the origin story, because lab-grown diamonds actually have the same physical and chemical properties as their natural counterparts. Are you a romantic, a traditionalist, or a jewelry enthusiast? If so, you may be drawn to a natural diamond possessing a uniqueness that only nature can produce (seen only under a microscope, of course)! Lab-grown diamonds tend to win in the affordability department and are often considered to be a more carbon-neutral, “ethical” option, as mining has had a bad reputation in terms of child labor, slavery, and can have a controversial expenditure on natural resources.
Consider customization- If you want to elevate the uniqueness of the engagement ring, consider customizing it. This can mean a special engraving, additional gemstones, or even a custom proposal ring box!
Buying online vs in-person - There are advantages and disadvantages to both of these options. buying online can give you convenient access to a wider variety of styles to choose from, and because online retailers have less overhead cost, you can often find a more affordable engagement ring! On the other hand, investing in a ring in person allows you to touch and see it beforehand, build a relationship with a live expert who can help guide you, and of course, no internet scams!
Alternative Engagement ring stones
We all know diamonds and we’ve talked about them here on the blog before. Let’s discuss what other stones are available for engagement rings.
Raw diamonds are trending hard right now. They are uncut, unpolished, and unprocessed. Raw diamonds are truly one of a kind and stunning in a unique way- just like your beloved!
Sapphire is a durable gemstone offering a stunning variety of colors! In fact, Princess Diana sports a blue sapphire on her finger! Choosing sapphire is sure to symbolize just how colorful and unique your relationship is.
Morganite is a charming stone with a subtle pink hue, showcasing prismatic crystals. Often symbolizing sweetness, innocence, and love, morganite is a timeless choice for your pretty-in-pink partner. It is slightly less durable than a diamond, but oh so precious!
Opal engagement rings are sure to satisfy your inner bohemian spirit. Light dances magnificently on this stone, and will start many conversations. Opal can vary in quality, so be sure to do some research to ensure your stone will stand the test of time.
Emerald engagement stones are truly glamorous and timeless. If your partner prefers green hues, this is sure to be a stunner.
Carbonado is a “black diamond” — to match the endless depth of your love? Yes, please. A chic, statement setting, dazzling, black stone will blaze a trail right over the traditional crystal diamond.
Pearls are also very suitable for engagement rings. Just know that out of all these stones, they are the softest.
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