Where do I start when shopping for an engagement ring?

Start with the shape of the center stone, since that decides more about how the ring looks than anything else, then metal, then setting style. Gray's Jewelers will narrow it down with you in a bridal consultation, and you can browse settings first if you would rather arrive with an idea.

Where can I buy an engagement ring near me on the North Shore of Long Island?

Gray's Jewelers Bespoke is at 429a North Country Rd in Saint James, New York, serving Nesconset, Stony Brook, Smithtown, Lake Grove, Setauket and the surrounding communities. The showroom is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm. Walk in, or book a bridal consultation so time is set aside for you.

Can I buy the setting and the diamond separately?

Yes, and it is the most common route. Choose a setting, then search loose diamonds by shape, carat, cut and color at /diamonds, natural or lab grown. Gray's Jewelers will show you the stones in the setting before anything is set, so you are judging the actual ring rather than two separate pictures.

Do you carry both natural and lab grown diamonds?

Yes. Natural diamonds can be searched here and lab grown searched here. They are the same material graded on the same scale, differing in origin and in price per carat. Gray's Jewelers will put the two in front of you together so the decision is made with the stones in hand.

Can you reset a family diamond or redesign an heirloom ring?

Yes, and it is one of the store's core services. Bring in a loose stone, an inherited setting, or a ring that no longer suits the person wearing it, and the team will tell you honestly what the stone can support before designing around it. More details here.

Does Gray's Jewelers make custom engagement rings?

Yes. Custom bridal design is where the Bespoke name comes from. A design can start from a sketch, a photograph, a family stone or an existing ring, and moves through design and approval before it reaches the bench. Start here or bring the idea to a consultation.

How long before the proposal should I start looking?

Give yourself more time than you think, particularly for a special order setting or a custom design, which move through the manufacturer or the bench before sizing. A ring already in the case can often be sized quickly. Bring your date to the consultation and Gray's Jewelers will tell you what is realistic.

Do you do appraisals and cleaning after the ring is bought?

Yes. Rings are appraised in writing for insurance, and cleaning and prong inspection are available whenever you want to bring the ring back in. Both matter more than people expect, since an uninsured ring and a loose prong are the two most common ways a stone gets lost.